The Man In The Iron Mask [DVD]

Many will be intrigued by this film by the sheer star-studded nature of the cast. Jeremy Irons, DiCaprio, John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu and Hugh Laurie. Many will also be intrigued by the fact it's a Musketeer film, and what a Musketeer film it is. Set after the prime of the three and D'Artagnan, it's a true masterpiece of cinema. The French aristocracy is always a vivid and fascinating period of history, and this movie brings it to lufe dutifiully, and lovingly. The acting is superb, and the plot itself holds many twists and enthralling moments. Sure, you may be able to guess the bigger twists, but that doesn't make them any less punchy. There is real pathos in this movie, and the themes of unity, friendship, and love come through like nothing before.It also, of course, has lots of humour, as well as hardened battle scenes, with sword fighting, brawls and everything else you'd expect. You really come to love the characters (and hate some others), but most of all you come away from this movie feeling satisfied. No part of your being has not been quenched in some way by The Man in the Iron Mask. If you want humour, action, and emotion all packed into one piece of period drama, this is the film for you. I loved every second.

I do love a good historical film that has an element of fact however tenuous but for some reason I put off seeing this film since it's release way back in 1998.I was bored stupid on Easter Sunday and was scrolling through the rental films on my sky box and spotted this for a couple of quid so thought why not. So glad none of the cast attempted a French accent with the exception of Gerard Depardieu! Leonardo DiCaprio accent confused me a little as he sounded like he was going for upper class English (think David Niven, James Mason, Cary Grant) and not quite getting it, he plays King Louis XIV and the man in the iron mask. Gabriel Byrne is stunning as peace keeper and loyal soldier D'Artagnan. Jeremy Irons is Aramis, the Kings priest but he also has a secret. John Malkovich is Athos and Gerard Depardieu is Porthous. It has a great cast and great supporting cast, (Hugh Laurie makes a brief appearance) with some fabulous fight scenes, plotting and planning scenes and even some comedy. I'm so glad that I watched it that I just had to have the DVD to watch it again and again.

A simply splendid version of the famous book, and I do not agree with the assessment of someone that di Caprio is not up to the part. He plays his 2 characters extremely well. As I've seen commented before somewhere, this is definitely the best ever depiction of Aramis who is in the book the plotter, which Athos joins him after bitter disappointment in the King's selfish and cruel behaviour towards his (Athos's) adopted son which leads to the death of the young man. It seems that Dumas was not keen on these kings, so his idea to use the Man in the Iron Mask myth as a theme is one that many readers will identify with.The comment above on the plot and acting that I've just referred to is not entirely accurate. D'Artagnan is told about the plot by Aramis and the other two backing him, and d'Artagnan will not take part in it. He has his own very important reasons for protecting the King even though that King is such a jerk. However, there are matters about the Man in the Iron Mask which d'Artagnan does not know. It is Aramis who has been in on the secret for many years through being in a certain place at a certain time.This movie doesn't follow the original book in all respects, only in some. But for me it is a much more exciting version even than the book. I've no doubt Dumas could never have used the most important variation, but that was then, and the movie has been made now.

Ten minutes in and it's already horribly hackneyed and cliched, with trite little throw-away remarks, seemingly added by committee. Truly one of the worst things I have seen. As for a "masterpiece of cinema", just what planet are you from? Unwatchable.

A great cast, story and well directed. The cast handle this familiar storyline well, Jeremy Irons is great as Aramis, while Gerard Depardieu adds some enjoyable humour. John Malkovich adds some edginess as the troubled Athos, and Gabriel Burns is very likeable as the noble D'artagnan. Leonardo DiCaprio handles the dual role as the nasty King and his wronged brother very well, easily making you detest one and empathise with the other. A good night's viewing.

All excellent,as expected.

The issue with 5 stars is that you can't give a very good rating, I'd say this film is 2.5 out of 5.A nice film but once you have seen it you have seen it and you may not want to watch it again or for a long time. I think I lent my copy out and I don't miss it.

Didn't work due to air bubbles in the disc