Customer Reviews

The Man In The Iron Mask [1939]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Unfortunatley this DVD is a major disapointment.This is a wonderfull movie classic but there has been no digital re mastering,and what we have here is a dub of an average quality film print,or possibly video print, onto the DVD. Why bother,unless you are going to enhance the already available video. Sorry chaps,not this time .
Garry Stewart- Melbourne ,Australia.

This is a very entertaining film, even though it didn't have any of the big stars of the era in it. Louis Hayward did a great job as the sniveling, spoiled king and the noble, good-hearted Philippe. I enjoyed this movie very much. The characters seemed pretty realistic, even though I have a feeling that the ending at least differs from the novel. I've never read the novel, but the happy ending seemed too Holloywood to be Dumas. Of course, I could be mistaken. Over all, I highly recommend this film as a nice example of 1939 Hollywood.

Say what you will, but if you loved the book you will love this movie! This movie was totally based on the work of Alexandre Dumas (my favorite author).

Louis Hayward was the first actor to star in this dual role and no one has done it better since!

His portrayal as the insane, cruel King Louis XIV and the contrast to his brother Phillipe can't be matched anywhere!

This was a great 30's period piece covering the court intrigues surrounding an unknown twin of the King of France. Phillipe of Gascony, a kindhearted man doesn't know that he was born a brother to the tyrannical King Louis (Louis Heyward doing double time). Raised by the now aging D'artagnan and the Three Musketeers (with Alan Hale as Porthos), Gascony is discovered by The Crown and brought to the Palace. Louis tests his twin and finds him an able substitute - too able in fact. He charms the people and even the royal fiancee, the Infanta of Spain (Joan Bennett) whom Louis can't stand. Happy to tax the people into penury, and distrustful of his brother, Louis tries to rid himself of noble Phillip. Because Phillip is technically of royal blood, Louis decides to forego an execution, instead consigning Phillip to the dreaded Bastille, where a horrible iron mask will conceal his apparent identity. Can the Three Musketeers rescue Phillip and save France from the despotic king?

This was minor effort, yet still a lot of fun. It's got that great feel fo old studio movies pre-war. Though it's short on the action, the flick rises on its performances - Joseph Schildkraut as Fouquet, the Bad King's bad concious (he's insidious, but the movie plays with him in its second half when he begins to wonder if he knows who's sitting on the throne); character actor Warren William brings gusto as the over-the-hill D'Artagnan. But the movie belongs to Louis Hayward in a dual role as the wicked king and his nice-guy twin (which becomes a triple-role when Phillip impersonates the king). This swashbuckler has more buckle than swash, but it's still fun to the last reel.

This is a review only of the Hen's Tooth Video DVD being released on 2/14/2012. First Time on DVD....James Whale's exciting adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel centers on twin heirs to France's throne who are separated at birth. The first-born Louis, is raised as a prince, but Philippe is brought up ignorant of his true identity. When Philippe is arrested with his companions, d'Artagnan and the three Musketeers, he meets his brother, now the king, face-to-face. The tyrannical Louis decides Philippe could be useful to him as a look-alike, but complications arise when Philippe meets the king's beautiful fiancée. Whale's film is a swashbuckling adventure tale, full of palace intrigues and thrilling sword fights. B&W, 112 Minutes, New Digital Transfer from a 35mm Fine Grain, Original Full Screen (1.33:1), Includes Optional English Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired.

Beware! This is a wonderful film, not yet available on DVD, but at least one of the VHS versions being sold has been colorized--which is a hideous and disrespectful thing to do to a great old black and white film. It would be helpful if Amazon could include this information on its sale pages. Since they don't, before buying a VHS, if getting the original B&W matters to you (and I hope it does), then inquire carefully of your seller. I got a VHS from Video Treasures, it was colorized, and I returned it.

In the 1600's, in France, King Louis XIV is born with an identical, twin brother. Louis' father fears a rivalry. One brother is evil, the other good. Musketeers, a foreign-princess, dungeons, the starving peasants, tax-collectors, a king's mistress, a treacherous-conniving-servant, and a hero.

Good character-acting. The actor who plays the diabolical, king shows the king so enjoying the suffering of innocent people; you really hate him.

The film is in black & white. The old, picture is noticeably, faded, worn, and lightened more than other films made the same year, 1939; though the actor's faces are not washed-out; thus, the picture-quality is tolerable. Therefore, though, the nice costumes and sets do not stand out, as they otherwise would. They should restore and colorize this film.

The film, unrestored, should cost no more than $9, and was over-priced when I bought it; so I removed 1-star for price-gouging.

The story holds your attention. A few clever moments. The actors are good. Good sets and costumes.

The story of this version differs enough from other versions to be interesting if you have seen the other versions. This is the second-best version; with the best-version being the Richard Chamberlain version. Though, a better version of all could be made.