The Man in the Iron Mask

It arrived on time and in good condition.

Great cast, great direction, all-in-all perfect!

This is a very entertaining and well-done television production from the late 1970's, set in 1600's France, and based on the historical adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas. The producers spared no expense for this television movie........the stellar ensemble cast includes many noteworthy names from both sides of the Atlantic, and the lavish French chateaus and castles used for all the location filming are truly spectacular.The compelling story of identical twin brothers, each the antithesis of the other, and each fighting to become the rightful ruler of France, has been successfully adapted to film numerous times--first in 1939, and most recently in 1998, starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead. In this version from 1977, Richard Chamberlain handles the dual roles of the self-absorbed King Louis XIV, and his sensitive, commoner brother, Philippe. Having previously performed in classical period films such as Portrait of A Lady, Hamlet, The Three Musketeers, and The Count Of Monte Cristo, all to much acclaim, Richard Chamberlain brought both experience and panache to this double role. (The American actor became so adept at portraying classical roles, U. S. producers began questioning his ability to take on contemporary American roles.) He gives wonderful performances as both characters, but particularly shines in his work as King Louis XIV, the unscrupulous, reprehensible ruler of France. He demonstrates a seemingly effortless on-screen chemistry with Patrick McGoohan, who gives a memorable performance as the equally loathsome enabler to the King, Fouquet.Richard Chamberlain's and Patrick McGoohan's noteworthy portrayals are wonderfully enhanced by the exceptional work done by an all star supporting cast. Ralph Richardson, Ian Holm, Louis Jourdan, and Jenny Agutter are all marvelous in their respective roles, adding depth, richness, and overall excellence to the final production.Though it was filmed almost 30 years ago, this remains a very entertaining and beautifully produced adaptation of the beloved Dumas novel. The movie does not drag, and moves along at a steady pace as it builds to it's rightful conclusion of good overcoming evil, or in this particular case, good brother overcoming evil brother, to secure his rightful place on the throne.

In an age where action is becoming more important than story, this version of The Man in the Iron Mask has refreshingly excellent acting and dialogue.Chamberlain did well in this movie in his dual role, and equally well the other TV movie he made at nearly the same time, The Count of Monte Cristo. Patrick McGoohan and Ralph Richardson could not have been more perfectly cast as the dishonest Fouquet and the scheming Colbert, respectively, and the acting all-around was superb.The score was decent, but entirely forgettable. The action scenes will excite no one, as all fighting is done with obviously plastic swords, and very little dramatic dying goes on. Most of the action and fencing goes on in court, which the ensemble cast (thank God) proved fully capable of doing.And that, of course, is where this film really shines: at the court of Louis XIV. The pomp and cruel subtleties are conveyed very well, and the unattentive viewer will probably miss a lot. The royal 'we' is employed unselfconsciously by Newell, whereas the latest adaption seems hesitant to use such a little-known speech mannerism with the "uneducated" public. In one particularly well-done scene, Fouquet reveals to Louis that his brother, Philippe, is still alive. While initially respectful to the King, Fouquet asserts his power over Philippe, and thus over Louis, culminating in sitting down while Louis remains standing, normally something that Louis might be fickle enough to execute someone for.If you want great acting and story rather than great action, this movie comes highly recommended.

This show along with Chamberlain's "Count of Monte Christo" shows why he was regarded as the star meant to play royalty. The wonderful thing though is that he does not command the show by his presence only. Every one of the main characters puts in a believable & inspired performance.This is one of my all time bests. Some today may think it doesn't move quickly enough but I feel in a time that horseback was the fastest mode of land transport this pacing is correct & I enjoyed it.It begins with a kidnapping & exile to a prison island off France's coast. There the unknown is placed in an iron mask to conceal his face for all time. As a mystery more than anything else is how the movie was shot. There is no misdirection though. From scene to scene you move without knowing who or maybe what is going on but it is rapidly revealed as the next mystery comes on screen.Here you have royal France before its fall. The 2 personalities of the king, his queen from Spain, the philandering & the true love story not to mention the Musketeers & all the supporting roles both Good & Evil for this is a Good vs. Evil story line as all here are one or the other except for those being trampled by the conflict. Keep an eye on the island blacksmith. If you like romantic adventure, political intrigue & quiet heroism this is for you. If your bored unless there are multiple & rapid scene changes you will not like this.Cast includes: Richard Chamberlain, Patrick McGoohan, Louis Jourdan, Jenny Agutter, Ian Holm (Bilbo) & Vivien Merchant & Brenda Bruce as the Queens. Parts I'm sure few actresses wanted to play & they play them brilliantly.Just thinking of this picture makes me smile. 5 STARS.

I saw this years ago and remember it as good. I bought it recently and rewatched and yes, it is still good, and Chamberlain is splendid as as the dual character. But it is sombre and the finale is very scary and made me think just how shocking and unbearable it must have been for the original "man in the iron mask". Dumas discovered a note had been found when the Bastille was taken by the populace at the start of the French Revolution, that referred to "the man in the iron mask" and a prisoner number. So far as I know, nothing more was ever learned about this prisoner. This movie shows just how appalling such a fate would be. The original book is atmospheric enough but Chamberlain brings this to terrifying life.I personally much prefer the quite lighthearted version (the story somewhat changed) with the same title but starring Jeremy Irons and others. My favourite musketeer is always Aramis, and Irons is a simply brilliant Aramis, bringing out just how clever Aramis is and how ambitious and brilliant.Unfortunately, the only one of our musketeer heroes to appear in this Chamberlain Man in the Iron Mask is d'Artagnan and his original actions in the Dumas story are much changed. The script is manged well to ensure it all makes sense, but it isn't the original story and the lack of Aramis in particular as the grand schemer, and the lack of what happens to Athos and most particularly to Porthos is very unfortunate.I imagine there were budgetary issues that made the producers cut the story to the bare minimum and on that level if's excellent.Yes, there is a problem for me as doubtless for some others that Chamberlain had earlier played Aramis in the Lester version of the Three Musketeers.... it's a bit disconcerting to see the same actor as now the royal twins. Given a choice, I prefer Chamberlain in this movie as in the Lester movie he was a bit too tall, although he acted the part with perfect humour and charm.

I enjoyed this film as a simple escapist story - much as Dumas probably intended his original novels - and rather liked the way Richard Chamberlain played the effete and ruthless 'first' Louis XIV, and the contrasting pleasant, generous and gentle 'second' king. Jenny Agutter acquits herself well as Louise de la Vallière (whose inclusion is unhistorical but this whole romance is total fiction), very pretty and charming. Patrick MacGoohan was rather miscast as Fouquet, and Louis Jourdan ineffective as d'Artagnan, but Ralph Richardson played Colbert with conviction and Vivien Merchant was particularly good as the hard-done-by wife Maria Theresa.An ideal Saturday matinee for a wet afternoon!

Very good 1976 colour film starring Richard Chamberlain (who had starred in the dramatic "The Count of Monte Christo" the year before). The villain is Patrick McGoohan ("Danger Man" and "The Prisoner" on TV). The subsequent 1998 version starring Leonardo DiCaprio softened the ending in the final voiceover to be less cruel. Richard Chamberlain had became very popular in earlier days as "Dr Kildare" on USA Television (Black & White) in the 1960s.

The film did not do justice to the original as writen by the excellent author Alexander Dumas.The characters acted weakly and without conviction.Worse of all was the soundtrack, with music so loud it drowned out the dialog.When the music was not drowning out the dialog, the rustling of the actors and actresses clothes were doing so.In short a waste of money to buy and then time trying to watch it.Other versions are much better.

loads of top actors, originan movie, still worth watching after 50 years