Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Overdone, but still one of the best, June 18, 2004
I remember watching this and other old movies on tv all the time. However, I haven't seen this in at least 25 years. All I remembered is that it was one of the greatest ever. I bought a copy recently, which was in excellent condition. Not at all to my surprise after watching as a kid and seeing it now for the first time as an adult, I had a different take. What I like about all old movies, is that they move quickly. They speak fast and change scenes fast, except the romance scenes. This movie completely ignores two of the three (4) musketeers, but maybe the book does too. I haven't read it. Everyone is unrealistically fearless, even at their death. Having said that; the movie is still so much fun and is still the best version made. The good guys are great and the bad guys are horrible.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Many Take A Hand In Superb Screen Adventure., June 4, 2006
Screenwriter George Bruce, a specialist with swashbuckling tales, is at his best in this rather loose adaptation of the fanciful Alexandre Dumas novel that relates how the Three Musketeers won their final battle. The scenario tells of the birth of twin sons to King Louis XIII of France and his wife, and of how, since there can be but one dauphin, the latterly born is secretly given to the care of the King's favorite swordsman D'Artagnan who, along with the Musketeers, raises him in Gascony. The return to Paris of the untitled and untravelled son, Philip, along with the four veteran warriors, at the request of Minister Colbert, one of the few who is aware of the twin birth, and the resulting adventures largely brought about by a sharp contrast in humanity between the brothers, forms the basis for the subsequent fast-moving and exciting events. Louis Hayward brilliantly plays the dual parts of the twins King Louis XIV and the unrecognized Philip, providing a proper degree of personality disparity, along with a display of excellent fencing skill and a robust penchant for romancing the Infanta of Spain, nicely performed by Joan Bennett. Walter Kingsford and Joseph Schildkraut are sterling as ministers in competition for the King's ear, as are Albert Dekker and Doris Kenyon as Louis XIII and his queen, but it is Warren William, whose profile puts that of John Barrymore to shame, who steals the supporting cast honors with a very strong performance as D'Artagnan. James Whale's flamboyant style of direction is perfect for this cinematic transposition of the classic novel, and the editing is well-nigh perfect, capping a delightful performance by all.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Only Game in Town, February 7, 2009
This review is from: The Man In The Iron Mask [1939] (DVD)
The movie gets five stars, while the "Movieology" dvd version gets between three and four stars. The bottom line with "The Man in the Iron Mask (1939)" is that this version is the only dvd available. I saw this movie a few times on tv in my youth and absolutely loved it. Several years ago, I was finally able to obtain a pricey VHS copy, and now, thanks to Firecake Entertainment, I can enjoy the movie in dvd format. Yes, I certainly wish somebody will eventually restore it and that the quality of the print would be much better, but until that time, this dvd is the only game in town and it was offered at a very reasonable price. As for the movie, it is Louis Hayward at his best, with Joseph Schildkraut stealing the movie.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
