The oddly featured poet Cyrano De Bergerac(Jose Ferrer, reprising an Oscar-winning role in
Michael Gordon's
Cyrano De Bergerac), he of the enormous nose, and musketeer D'Artagnan (
Jean-Pierre Cassel) lend a hand to put down a revolution in 17th-century Paris. While they bravely fight for the monarchy, the men dally with two comely courtesans (
Sylva Koscina and
Daliah Lavi). Though paired off with satisfactory partners, the couples find that a switcheroo might afford them each true love. Director
Abel Gance and
Nelly Kaplan wrote the screenplay, which united period characters Cyrano, from Edmond Rostand's play, and D'Artagnan, from Alexandre Dumas' Three Musketeers, in this romantic swashbuckler. Though French cinema pioneer Gance was near the end of his career, Kaplan was just beginning. She would go on to write, edit and direct several more films. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide