Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

TheLittleSongbird This may be a very loose adaptation in detail- though not in spirit, there is a real feel of what makes the story so good in the first place- of the classic Dumas tale, but adaptations deserve to be judged on their own terms(fidelity to the source material has never been an issue to me, there may be some poor adaptations around but if they are of such good quality elsewhere it would be very unfair to completely dismiss them) and this adaptation of Man in the Iron Mask is not an exception. And yes it is a very good example of being brilliant on its own regardless. It may start off rather slow and a little poorly staged in the first 10 minutes but it picks up very quickly and is near faultless after that. It may be a TV film but one of great quality, the locations and scenery are colourful and very authentic and the same can be said for the costumes. The photography is also fluid and skillful, not cinematic but hardly amateurish or too studio-bound. The music is rousing and enhances the action very well, while the script is witty and successful in the comic and dramatic moments, what there is of the action is very exciting and not clumsy-looking at all and the direction doesn't allow the film to rush or drag beyond the first 10 minutes. The story is still the thrilling, suspenseful, fun and ceaselessly compelling one that we know with scenes that prove to be quite memorable. Especially when the iron mask is fitted onto Phillippe, quite cruelly harrowing in a way, Phillippe and Louise dancing the minuet which was beautiful to watch and more than satisfying dramatically and the touching scene where Phillippe meets his mother for the first time. If there was an asset that fared best it was the acting. The standout is Richard Chamberlain, in one of his best films and roles he is amazing as both Phillippe and Louis, completely believable in roles that couldn't be more different. You'd be hard pressed to find a crueller and more egotistical Louis than Chamberlain and his Phillippe is subtle and sympathetic. Patrick McGoohan is also wonderful, literally seething with villainy while having a touch of charm, and his intense scheming chemistry with Chamberlain's Louis is equally good. Ian Holm is wonderfully shrewd and intelligent and Louis Jourdan is a sly and dignified D'Artagnan. Ralph Richardson doesn't disappoint either and Jenny Agutter visually has never been more lovely and still brings believability and enchantment to a somewhat one-note character. All in all, a brilliant version, adaptation-wise the 1939 may be a little better but this is my personal favourite, both trump the Leonardo DiCaprio version though that has its merits too. 9/10 Bethany Cox

ma-cortes This is an epic retelling about the durable Alexandre Dumas's novel and is set in 17th century French court where appears two twins brothers (Richard Chamberlain playing a double role) , separated at birth , one nasty become in Louis XIV of France married to Mª Teresa of Spain (Vivien Merchant) and the other Phillippe who is unjustly imprisoned in the Bastilla . Both of whom are sons of the Queen mother , Anna of Austria (Brenda Bruce) . Later on , Phillippe is jailed in an island and hidden his identity wearing an iron mask but his existence threatens the reigning . But D'Artagnan (Louis Jourdan) and the Prime Minister named Colbert (Ralph Richardson) scheme a plan to free Phillippe clashing against a malicious Fouquet (Patrick McGooham) , the Louis XIV's favorite.It's an excellent rendition from the immortal novel with quite budget , though is made for television . The picture contains rousing action , intrigue , exciting swordplay , romantic adventure , mayhem and results to be pretty entertaining . Marvelous casting with a magnificent Richard Chamberlain as a suffering inmate turning valiant swashbuckler and a selfish King . He gives a charming acting and manages to use his fists , swords and to do some acrobatics . Exceptional cinematography by the classic cameraman Freddie Young who has a distinguished and long career crowned with three Oscars for David Lean's films . Spectacular and evocative musical score by Allyn Ferguson . Lush production design by John Stoll is well reflected on the luxurious interiors and exteriors filmed in England and French palaces (Fointeneblau , Versalles , among others) . The motion picture was well realized by Mike Newell . This classy story is previous and subsequently remade in several versions , firstly is shot with Douglas Fairbanks (mute rendition , 1929) and the first sound (1939) retelling was made by James Whale with Louis Hayward and Joan Bennet . A French adaptation (1962) by Henry Decoin with Jean Marais , Jean Rochefort , Claudina Auger , Sylva Koscina . A 1998 recounting by William Richert with Edward Albert , Dana Barron , Timothy Bottoms , Meg Foster , James Gammon . And finally in 1998 , the most recent and lavish adaptation of the classic story by Randall Wallace with Leonardo DiCaprio , Jeremy Irons , Gerard Depardieu , John Malkovich . This is the better adaptation for TV of the classy and will appeal to the costume genre fans

trpdean Dumas' classic wonderful vivid novel sucks you in with its intrigue at the highest levels, the moral contrasts, the cleverness, the adventure.I was very surprised at just how fine this was - the cast is of the highest caliber - Ian Holm, Patrick McGoohan, Ralph Richardson, Louis Jourdan - an extraordinary Richard Chamberlin and a very pretty Jenny Agutter (though her character is rather one note). Note the movie is directed by Mike Newell - who would go on to direct Enchanted April, Four Weddings and a Funeral and many other fine movies. I was also floored by the producers' settings: four chateaus, the real island referenced in the novel, Fontainebleau - this movie (though made for television) must have cost a fortune to produce!I think the Frenchman's comment below is a bit sniffy. First, this was not an American production - but an English one. Second, this was not a distortion of French history -- Alexandre Dumas pere himself took many (wonderfully imagined) liberties in his novel - does anyone REALLY think Louis XIV was one of identical twins? Come on -this is a novel! Thus, the complaint that Louis XIV did not after all remain faithful to this mistress (as one would expect from the movie) is an objection to the historical truth of the novel, not its faithful adaptation to the screen. This movie well captures the flavor and spirit of the novel (except, as one reviewer notes, for the character of Philippe, made far more sympathetic here - but then most viewers (myself included) want a sympathetic central character).I also find the reviewer who says this was poor except for the wonderful acting of all the actors - to be a bit strange. They ARE the movie. This was very well done, so engrossing and so much fun. Patrick McGoohan is particularly wonderful, as is Chamberlin. Well worth your time - it's efficient, clear, amusing, horrifying, romantic, and gives plenty for those interested in history. It's also the perfect exciting family movie (well, except having to explain mistresses serving at the royal pleasure - that could be tricky) with something for everyone.

vampyrz-2 Pure excellence. Wonderful script. Production, directing and acting was superb. Great ensemble cast. What more can one ask from a made for t.v. movie? This one had all the qualities of a big budget film. Highly recommended.