Customer Reviews

The Man in The Iron Mask: Literary Masterpieces [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
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1 star:		(5)

 

 

I was very impressed with this movie when I first saw it, a very long time ago. Richard Chamberlin was excellent in his dual role; it's hard to imagine a more egotistical and rotten Louis XIV than his portrayal- a much greater villian than Leonardo DiCaprio's performance. This version also has a stellar supporting cast, with Sir Ralph Richardson, Jenny Agutter, Louis Jourdan and playing the corrupt and foul Finance Minister Fouquet is Patrick McGoohan- an incredible actor who plays his part with relish. The chemistry between Chamberlin and McGoohan is unbelievable- you can easily believe that these two would plot to start World War III just to have something interesting to do on a Saturday night, and maybe make a few million francs on the side. But the end scene, the conversation between Phillipe and the Queen as they dance the minuet before the whole court, is the icing on the cake- delicious, dramatically satisfying and unforgettable. This scene alone is better than the whole 1997 Leonardo DiCaprio movie. It doesn't follow the book, but it's a good movie to introduce the younger set to the wonders of great literature. And this is worth something. Following the movie too closely, after all, satisfies most only those who have read the book first. The individual imagination is still the best filmmaker, and I think that any film that makes you want to run out and buy the book is not a bad film. This is the best version of this story available, and worth having in your library.

Richard Chamberlain had already proved himself a fine actor before starring in this TV production of "The Man in the Iron Mask," but here he truly gives the performance of a lifetime. Performances, I should say, because he plays two different (VERY different) roles: King Louis XIV and his long lost twin brother, Phillippe.

Louis is a spoiled, infantile (his courtiers know perfectly well to deliberately lose at croquet lest they "risk another tantrum") and often cruel man, who lives in splendor while his subjects starve. He treats his long-suffering wife like garbage, openly flirting and carrying on with other women, and at one point he even viciously rips her wig off in public after calling her a "mountain of sallow flesh." Not surprisingly, no one likes Louis all that much; even his mother is hard pressed to say anything nice about him.

Meanwhile, Phillippe, totally unaware of his relation to Louis, is mysteriously kidnapped from his cozy home and thrown into the Bastille. But it's not what you think -- his kidnappers are the ageing Three Musketeers, who, fed up with their "water lily" of a ruler, have a plan to oust him and replace him with his identical twin, Phillippe. (Though Phillippe was born first and is therefore the rightful king, they insist that he rule as Louis XIV because of France's instability.) The Bastille was a "safe place" to stash Phillippe, or so they thought; at least two people, upon accidentally seeing Phillippe, are struck by his resemblance to Louis. One of them reports to Fouquet, the king's closest adviser. Upon verifying Phillippe's identity, Fouquet breaks the news to Louis, who, quite rightly fearing usurpation, hatches a cruel plan: imprisoning Phillippe for life in a run down castle in a distant part of France. But even that isn't enough: "No one must look upon his face," Louis tells Fouquet. Hence the iron mask, which is locked upon poor Phillippe in a gut-wrenching sequence.

The rest of the movie is about the Three Musketeers rescuing Phillippe, telling him the truth, and proceeding ahead with their plans. Meanwhile, Phillippe falls in love with Louise, a pretty lady of the court who the king is also unsuccessfully trying to romance (and as it turns out, Fouquet likewise tried to romance, and when she spurned his advances, he had her father thrown in the Bastille), and there's plenty of wonderfully intricate plotting.

While the performances are strong all around (except for maybe Jenny Agutter as Louise), it's Richard Chamberlain who carries the entire movie. Phillippe starts out an ordinary person, but his grotesque mistreatment starts to make him almost savage. Not surprisingly, the desire for revenge burns white-hot inside him, and he finally gets to realize it at the end. He also has a remarkable moment when, after having assumed Louis XIV's identity, he meets his mother for the first time: he is so emotional that he can barely get the words out, yet manages to cover it by telling her how beautiful she looks. The queen mother, who of course doesn't know his true identity, beams and says, "My Louis?" as if wondering that maybe now she can finally truly love her son.

Meanwhile, his turn as Louis is admirably restrained. Most actors would not be able to resist chewing the scenery while playing such a vile, decadent character, but Chamberlain instead gives a nuanced, surprisingly subtle performance. Louis is thoroughly despicable, and Chamberlain is clearly having fun playing such a juicy villain, but he doesn't go over the top.

Patrick McGoohan also shines as the clever, vain, heartless Fouquet. He often speaks in a type of growl that reminds me of Jeremy Irons, and his refined sadism is chilling to watch. It makes it all the more satisfying that, in the end, Fouquet is deceived by a simple seamster -- and that he himself is the one who seals his own fate by incorrectly naming Louis as the pretender.

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.

I've watched my VHS tape of this many times, for the tight script, plentiful action, fast pace, rousing score, and wonderful supporting cast (Patrick McGoohan and Ralph Richardson the standouts). But the heart of the picture is Richard Chamberlain's dual performance as the good and evil brothers: mesmerizing to watch the change in expression and bearing as he moves between the two. One of my favorite films.

The Man in the Iron Mask (1977)

CAST
Richard Chamberlain .... King Louis XIV/Philippe
Patrick McGoohan .... Fouquet
Louis Jourdan .... D'Artagnan
Jenny Agutter .... Louise de la Vallière
Ian Holm .... Duval
Ralph Richardson .... Colbert de Voliere
Vivien Merchant .... Queen Maria Theresa
Brenda Bruce .... Queen Anna of Austria
Esmond Knight .... Armand
Godfrey Quigley .... Baisemeaux
Emrys James .... Percerin
Denis Lawson .... Claude
Ann Zelda .... Henriette
Hugh Fraser .... Montfleury
Stacy Davis .... Blacksmith

STORY SYNOPSIS
Richard Chamberlain heads an internationally famed cast in this extravagant compelling production of Alexander Dumas classic.
In the tour de force of great acting, Richard Chamberlain plays the dual role of the imprisoned man in the hideous iron mask and his foppish, elegant twin brother, King Louis XIV of France. This performance supported by an all-star cast, sweeps the story of high adventure and romance and new heights.

In 1661, France stirs restlessly under the rule of the ineffectual King Louis XIV, a weak monarch manipulated by the devious Nicolas Fouquet, his finance minister who virtually held the string of power. However, Captain of the Musketeers D' Artagnan and Home Affairs Minister Cobert are determined that France shall have a real King. They have found Louis' identical twin brother Phillipe and plan to put him on the throne. Rightful heir to the throne, he is spirited away from birth for political motives and is ignorant of his identity. D'Artagnan and Colbert have had him taken to a cell for safety.

Duval, Fouquet's henchman, visits the Bastille with Louise de La Vallière , whose father Armand has been imprisoned.
When Louise sees Armand he tells of the young man in the next cell who has given him half of his water ration. Louise sees Phillipe and is struck by the resemblance. Their eyes meet end they are attracted to each other. However, Duval also sees Phillipe and hurries off to tell Fouquet. Fouquet tells the King who shuns from having his brother slain. Instead he orders him to be taken for eternal imprisonment, and so that no one will ever see him, an iron mask I to be clamped upon his face. Phillipe be wildered is taken to the prison and riveted into the mask. D'Artagnan is informed of Phillipe's imprisonment and sets off to free Phillipe. Fouquet, aware of D'Artagnan's plans to free Phillipe, is waiting to foil the escape.

D'Artagnan dons the mask himself and leads Fouquet and his men away from Phillipe on a wild goose chase which ends with D'Artagnan falling into the see from a rocky cliff. Desperately D'Artagnan tries to free himself of the mask and succeeds only at the last minute. Fouquet believes the man he has seen fall into the see to be Phillipe and returned to tell the King.

Phillipe no aware of his true identity and educated in the ways of royalty agrees to D'Artagnan's and Colbert plans to substitute him for Louis. Phillipe is to attend the King's ball dressed in a costume identical to King Louis' except for a different color sash. Information has been leaked to Fouquet that there is a plot to substitute the king and the imposter will be wearing a purple sash.

But Louis is wearing the purple sash and is arrested by Fouquet and sentenced to the same fate he once decreed for his brother. As Louis' face is enclosed in the iron mask, he hears the instruction given to the guards: "When one day his food remains uneaten, you will provide mortar and bricks and seal the entry to this cell." "Send word to Paris only, that the Man In The Iron Mask lives no more."

THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, is the most exciting of the Alexander Dumas classics. The multi-talented Richard Chamberlain, gave one of his finest performances playing dual roles - King Louis XIV and Philippe, twin brothers with totally different identities and destinies. Chamberlain showed his dazzling acting range, portraying the evil, mean-spirited, cruel Louis, who is absorbed by his own pleasures; while simultaneously portraying his kind and generous twin brother, Philippe, who has been hidden away in prison, encased in a miserable iron mask. The tall, lean, actor is ideally suited to play royalty, with his regal bearing, commanding voice, and ability to wear with dignity, the lavish royal period costumes, with their ruffles, wigs, capes, and plumes.

The actor's tour de force comes in the movies climactic scenes, when Philippe must pretend to be Louis. He was brilliant, playing a character who must act like another character, when he himself has created both characters. The actor's beautiful face, should never be hidden behind a mask of any kind, for Chamberlain makes full use of his facial expressions to grip our emotions, when he first meets his Queen Mother. The face bespeaks the tragedy he has suffered; in his eyes, we see the loss, regret, and deep despair. This emotionally charged scene is delivered powerfully by the savvy and classy actor, bringing his audience to tears as they behold his deep sorrow. This great story held me captive and spellbound as the cast of fine actors, led by the great wizard of enchantment, Richard Chamberlain worked their magic.

As this classic thriller reaches its climax, one brother will ascend to the throne, the other will be imprisoned for life. One is calculating and cruel, the other a gentle and generous jewel ......which one will rule?

I didn't read the book yet. So I can't say how this movie compares to the book. I felt the Dicaprio version was fairly good. But I honestly prefer this version. This movie is not exactly Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" or Peter O Toole's "The Lion In the Winter." But it is a wonderful classic to be enjoyed and treasured. The scenery and outfits are both beautiful; but the images in this movie are fairly nice. The actors carry out their roles with great life and dignity. Chamberlain does well at portraying both the tyrant and suffering innocent. McGoohan is excellent as the king's effective servant. (Despite his evil nature, he does carry a charm, and at times it is easy to like him.) The humiliated wife of Louis XIV portrays her sorrow and frustrations well. In Mel Gibson's "Hamlet," Ian Holm portrayed the bumbling not so intelligent Polonius. But in this movie, he shows that he can also portray a shrewd, capable, and intelligent plotter. This movie is proof that action has it's place, but it is the script writing and acting that make the movie. Although there is not much action, the story is never boring. Even comical moments are well placed here and there. For those of you reading this, it may interest you to know that in reality, the mask was soft velvet; he lived in lush accomodations; he was very well treated and given anything he asked for; his guards were even known for being very respectful to him. To top it off, scholars are undecided as to whether the velvet masked man was of royal blood. Some actually think he was a playright! But if we are willing to forget historical reality, this movie is a timeless classic. ...

I recently rented this tape from the local library, after seeing the 1998 version starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I was amazed that I actually enjoyed this one better. It is not so dark in tone, and I enjoy the scenery more. It has everything you would want in an adventure film: lots of swashbuckling, a villain, and a likeable hero. The acting is also superb, with great performances by Richard Chaimberlin and Louis Jordan. This is a fun adventure film that the entire family can enjoy. Do yourself a favor and get this!

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.

Eventhough this movie does not follow the book it is the best on the topic. It conveys the real athmosphere of the time and gives a chance to see the human nature of the king and his courtiers. It is not just fights and drama, it is also love and beauty. The movie can satisfy any Dumas fan. This movie is much better that the one with Di Caprio.

DUMAS' "THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK" MAKES A FINE VEHICLE FOR THE TALENTS OF RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN. HE PLAYS THE DUAL ROLES OF LOUIS XIV AND HIS IMPRISONED TWIN BROTHER, PHILLIPE. THIS IS A CLASSIC STORY OF FRENCH COURT INTRIGUE. THE SUMPTUOUS PRODUCTION VALUES CAPTURE THE PERIOD PERFECTLY AND STRONG PERFORMANCES ARE GIVEN BY THE VETERAN SUPPORTING CAST. THIS SWASHBUCKLING DRAMA, ORIGINALLY MADE FOR NETWORK TV AND FIRST BROADCAST IN 1977, IS GREAT ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AUDIENCES AND A MUST SEE FOR RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN FANS.