Writer: Randall Wallace (Screenplay) Alexandre Dumas (Novel)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu, Gabriel Byrne, Anne Parillaud, Judith Godreche, Edward Atterton, Peter Sarsgaard, Hugh Laurie
Plot: The cruel King Louis XIV of France has a secret twin brother who he keeps imprisoned. Can the twin be substituted for the real king?
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Enjoyable Adventure Film
Story: The Man in the Iron Mask starts as the young King Louis XIV (DiCaprio) finds him rule leading to a civil war within France as he tries to conquer neighbouring countries. Louis has the Musketeers protecting him with the most famous of these being Aramis (Irons) now a priest, Athos (Malkovich) who son Raoul (Sarsgaard) is in training to become a musketeer, Porthos (Depardieu) a drunk and D’Artagnan (Byrne) Louis closest guard.
Tired of the King’s ways Aramis leads the revolution against the King with Porthos and Athos by his side with D’Artagnan struggling with the morale dilemma on which side of the battle to be on. The plan is to free Philippe (DiCaprio) who has been cast into an iron mask to hide his identity of twin to King Louis from the world and replace him with the real King to try and create peace within France.
The Man in the Iron Mask is a historical tale based loosely on the real people following the musketeers attempt to stop a revolution without bloodshed. This shows how conflict could be solved without anyone dying but also shows how one person can become overcome by power which can lead to this conflict happen too. Each character has a good developed story and seeing the musketeers at a later stage of their life comes off fresh to what we have seen too often. The story won’t be for everyone but wouldn’t this have been an amazing true story?
Actor Review
Leonardo DiCaprio: King Louis XIV is the cruel ruler of France, making his people starve while trying to conquer the neighbouring countries. He is ruthless wanting to kill anyone who goes against him even if it is just for fun.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Philippe is the twin to King Louis who has been imprisoned for years to hide his true identity. Once freed by the musketeers he is given the chance to replace Louis and give France the true leader needed to bring peace to the country. Leonardo gives us two great performances one as the evil ruler with the other as the kind hearted man. This showed how Leo could handle for both sides of the battle.
Jeremy Irons: Aramis is a priest that is one of the former famous musketeers, he is sent to find and kill the leader of the resistance against King Louis, only he is the leader and has plan to replace King Louis with his brother Philippe. Jeremy is good in this role which you could see him play for years to come.
John Malkovich: Athos is a retired musketeer who has devoted his life to make sure his son can follow in his footsteps. When his son is killed serving King Louis he joins Aramis to rid France of the cruel ruler. John is good in this role where he gets to enter into another period piece role.
Gerard Depardieu: Porthos is the drunk of the musketeers filled with the lust for life, he creates the added comedy in the story as we wait to see what he does wrong next. Gerard is fun in this role.
Gabriel Byrne: D’Artagnan is the loyal guard to the King, he does see the error in his ways but refuses to break an oaf to protect the king with his life. His loyalty will leave him facing against his old friends but will this be his downfall. Gabriel is strong in this role throughout the film.
Support Cast: The Man in the Iron Mask has a supporting cast that never look out of place with the interaction with the main cast which does help the story unfold the way it does.
Director Review: Randall Wallace – Randall gives us an enjoyable version of this story which I do think is a very interesting story.
Action: The Man in the Iron Mask has good combat action being used throughout which is all swords swinging entertainment.
Adventure: The Man in the Iron Mask throws our musketeers on an adventure they wished for to complete their lives work.
Settings: The Man in the Iron Mask puts us in France for the setting with each setting looking like the time period in question.
Suggestion: The Man in the Iron Mask is one to try, the length of the film could turn people off but it is an enjoyable adventure film. (Try It)
Best Part: Final showdown.
Worst Part: Slightly long.
Believability: Parts were true.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Budget: $35 Minutes
Runtime: 2 Hour 12 Minutes
Tagline: For the honor of a king. And the destiny of a country. All for one.
Overall: Enjoyable Adventure that continues the musketeer’s legacy.
Rating