Oliver Reed

Actually, Reed's swordplay is the most realistic. True swordfights of the era were hardly genteel; not when lives were at stake. Reed fights like a man who wants to end it quickly. A swift kick to the groin in a clinch is far more effective that an artistic parry.

I tend to agree that this was one of Reed's finest, though I love his very brief appearance in the League of Gentlemen. He appears in only one scene, for a few seconds, but is quite memorable, particularly in light of his later reputation. As to how far he would sink, just check out Gor, if you can sit through the film.

On the way to England, after he and Aramis had been shot in the ambush, Athos easily bested the swordsman that dismounted and came after him. Actually, he forced the man to give up his weapons. It was only that his riding cloak got caught up in the water wheel that he ended up losing the fight.

Also, he mentions before the fight with the Cardinal's Guards that he's equally adept with both hands, and is sorry if that puts the Gascon at a disadvantage.

Athos was quite a fine swordsman in this film.

Yes, I agree. On the rare occasion I saw Oliver Reed in some other role, I always said to myself, "There's Athos!"