One of my favorite scenes:
"When you beat the rascal for - insolence - his screams shall scarcely be heard."
The 70's movie made a point to show the disparity between the classes and regional prejudice. D'artagnan's servant is indeed considered and treated by him and others as a lesser creature. He himself is disparaged for being a "bumpkin" and a Gascon from the Gascony region of France.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_MusketeersThe Three Musketeers (Les Trois Mousquetaires) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844.
Musketeers' servants Planchet (D'Artagnan)
Grimaud (Athos) – a Breton, trained to speak only in emergencies and who mostly communicates through sign language.
Mousqueton (Porthos) – he was originally a Norman named Boniface, however Porthos changed his name to one that sounded better. He is a would-be dandy, just as vain as his master. In lieu of pay, he is clothed and lodged in manner superior to that usual for servants, dressing grandly in his master's old clothes.
Bazin (Aramis) – from the province of Berry, Bazin is a pious man who waits for the day his master will join the church, as he has always dreamed of serving a priest.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Three_Musketeers_(1973_film)
The Three Musketeers (1973)Directed by Richard Lester, written by George Macdonald Fraser.
[D'Artagnan has relieved Rochefort of his pass to England] Sea Captain: But this pass is only for one person.
D'Artagnan: [Michael York] I am only one person.
[Indicating Planchet, Roy Kinnear] This is a servant!
Sea Captain: I see. All right.
(In
The Return of the Musketeers (1989) character actor Roy Kinnear died following an on-camera accident in which he fell off a horse. His role was completed by using a stand-in, filmed from the rear, and dubbed-in lines from a voice artist. Close friend, director Richard Lester unofficially retired as a result.)