The Man in the Iron Mask *** (1998, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gabriel Byrne, Gérard Depardieu, Anne Parillaud) – Classic Movie Review 1035

Writer-director Randall Wallace (also the writer of Braveheart) directs a lusty, zesty 1998 version of the famous Alexandre Dumas novel, first filmed in 1929 by Douglas Fairbanks Sr as The Iron Mask, and again as The Man in the Iron Mask by director James Whale in 1939.

Straight off Titanic (1997) and suddenly one of the most famous faces on the planet, Leonardo DiCaprio makes a good choice and scores strongly in both of the twin roles of the evil despotic French King Louis XIV and his nice twin brother Philippe. Bizarrely, and unfairly, DiCaprio won the 1999 Razzie Award for Worst Screen Couple as the twins.

In the well-known story, the King keeps Philippe a prisoner in the Bastille in an iron mask until dashing, patriotic musketeer D’Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne) and his fellow three musketeers (Gérard Depardieu as Porthos, John Malkovich as Athos and Jeremy Irons as Aramis) come to the rescue.

There’s a little bit of rough acting (particularly from Depardieu who is less funny than he thinks he is), but generally the performances are quality stuff. Byrne, Malkovich and Irons are all fired up and excellent as so is Anne Parillaud as the Queen Mother Anne.

It has its scripting weaknesses and directing problems, but it’s still very enjoyable. And it’s a particularly handsome production thanks to Anthony Pratt’s designs and Peter Suschitzky’s cinematography, while James Acheson’s Costume Design is outstanding.

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© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1035

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