The Man in the Iron Mask
All for one and one for all!
For the honor of the crown and the destiny of a country, the world's most renowned Musketeers reunite for one last epic battle.
It is a time of both splendor and despair. France's self-serving King Louis XIV enjoys the riches of the world while his people die of starvation. Believing that he is all-powerful, Louis fears no one - except the one person who could bring his reign to an end: the man in he imprisoned for eternity behind a mask of iron. And when Louis' selfish excesses go too far, retired Musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis vow to free the mysterious prisoner who may be France's only hope for survival. Only one question remains: will their old comrade, the legendary D'Artagnan, help them - or destroy them?
Member Reviews
LOVE IT!! - hilkayaker
This movie is one of my fav Leonardio Dicaprio movies. I think he did a great job playing the innocent Phillipe and the arrogant Louis. All the Muskoteer's did a good job too. Athos was my favourite. I liked how he adopted Phillipe as his new son after he lost his old one. Great way for the two of them to move on. Really liked the story line and sweet ending. Cute movie.It Weaves Together Several Legends - revsdd
This is a very successful period piece, featuring wonderful sets and costumes, and creating vivid and realistic portrayals of both the opulence of the French court and the wretchedness of French prisons in the 17th centuries. Based on an Alexandre Dumas novel, it's also a weaving together of several legends loosely based on a true story. There really was a "man in an iron mask" - a prisoner in that era who wore a mask, at least in public when being transferred from prison to prison. The movie also includes some pretty good scenes of swordplay and a good dose of humour as well.
This movie identifies the man in the iron mask as Louis XIV's identical twin Philippe, who was put in the mask and in prison in order to protect the throne for Louis. Historically, Philippe wasn't a twin of Louis' - he was Louis' younger brother. In the story, a plot is hatched to free Philippe from prison and pass him off as Louis to rid France of a petty, self-indulgent king. The story had its moments, but was somewhat inconsistent, and the plot hatched was full of holes. Perhaps Philippe could have been trained to act like a king - even to act like Louis - but Louis would have had knowledge of courtiers, of affairs of state, etc. Surely Philippe's lack of such knowledge would have led to the ruse being found out. The implausibility (impossibility?) of the plot was a major weakness. There was also a certain soap opera quality. The King's decision to bed Christine by sending her fiancé off to battle to be killed mirrored the biblical story of David and Bathsheba, while the revelation that D'Artagnan was the actual father of both Louis and Philippe was unnecessary to the story, although reflects another legend that Louis XIII couldn't have fathered his children because of an estrangement from his wife.
Leonardo DiCaprio played both Louix XIV and Philippe. He was better in the latter role. and lacked something as Louis. This movie isn't great, but it's worth watching.Man in the Iron Mask - Nightbabe
I am not one for these types of movies, but I must admit I really enjoyed it. I found the acting was good. Jeremy Irons was fantastic as usual. The sets and costumes were extremely good. All in all, this is a great movies to watch on a rainy night. I would have to say this is now one of my favorite movies.
Member Reviews
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LOVE IT!! - hilkayaker
This movie is one of my fav Leonardio Dicaprio movies. I think he did a great job playing the innocent Phillipe and the arrogant Louis. All the Muskoteer's did a good job too. Athos was my favourite. I liked how he adopted Phillipe as his new son after he ...It Weaves Together Several Legends - revsdd
This is a very successful period piece, featuring wonderful sets and costumes, and creating vivid and realistic portrayals of both the opulence of the French court and the wretchedness of French prisons in the 17th centuries. Based on an Alexandre Dumas novel, ...Man in the Iron Mask - Nightbabe
I am not one for these types of movies, but I must admit I really enjoyed it. I found the acting was good. Jeremy Irons was fantastic as usual. The sets and costumes were extremely good. All in all, this is a great movies to watch on a rainy night. I would ...