James Whale’s exciting adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) centers on twin heirs to France’s throne who are separated at birth. The first-born Louis, is raised as a prince, but Phillippe is brought up ignorant of his true identity. When Phillippe is arrested with his companions, D’Artagnan and the three Musketeers, he meets his brother, now the king, face-to-face. The tryrannical Louis decides Phillippe could be useful to him as a look-a like, but complications arise when Phillippe meets the king’s beautiful Fiancé. Whale’s film is a swashbuckling adventure tale, full of palace intrigues and thrilling sword fights.
The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) starring Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett
D’Artagnan: You’ve suffered enough. You can be King, or you can be free. Which is it?
Philippe: Take me to where the Crown of France is to be found.
Review
I can truly say that The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) is not only the best adaptation of the story that I’ve ever seen, but it’s truly a great movie. It’s extremely well done, well acted all around. The audience cares for the characters root for the protagonist — who have their own flaws and conflicts to overcome. And the actor portraying the villains — Foquet and Louis XIV – are truly despicable. It’s a credit to the actors.
It’s an excellent movie, that I rate a very rare 5 stars.
Product Description
In The Man in the Iron Mask (1939), D’Artagnan and The Three Musketeers return for one final adventure in James Whales’ fantastic swashbuckling adventure…
The year is 1658 and King Louis XIV rules France with tyranny and profligacy. With his reputation diminishing and sovereignty in question, Louis fears being overthrown by his twin brother, Phillipe, a much respected heir.
Snatched by the Kings guards, Phillipe is imprisoned within the walls of the Bastille. His head encased in a dreaded iron mask. Only the Four Musketeers stand between him and a living death as they must execute his daring rescue, for both Phillipe and the better of France, in Alexandre Dumas’ amazing and adventurous conclusion to the D’Artagnan chronicles.
Cast of characters
- Louis Hayward (Dance, Girl, Dance) … Louis XIV / Philippe of Gascony
- Joan Bennett (Dark Shadows: The Vampire Curse) … Maria Theresa
- Warren William (Lady for a Day) … D’Artagnan
- Joseph Schildkraut (The Three Musketeers) … Fouquet
- Alan Hale (The Adventures of Mark Twain) … Porthos
- Walter Kingsford … Colbert
- Miles Mander (To Be Or Not to Be (1942)) … Aramis
- Bert Roach (Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932)) … Athos
- Marion Martin (The Big Street) … Mlle. de la Valliere
- Montagu Love (His Double Life) … Spanish Ambassador
- Doris Kenyon (Counsellor at Law) … Queen Anne
- Albert Dekker (As Young As You Feel) … Louis XIII
- Nigel De Brulier (The Hound of the Baskervilles 1939) … Cardinal Richelieu (as Nigel de Brulier)
- William Royle … Commandant of Bastille
- Boyd Irwin … Lord High Constable of France
- Howard Brooks … Cardinal
- Reginald Barlow (Flying Down to Rio) … Jean Paul (as Reginald Barlowe)
- Lane Chandler … Captain of Fouquet’s Guards
- Wyndham Standing … Doctor
- Dorothy Vaughan (Big Town After Dark) … Midwife
- Sheila Darcy … Maria Theresa’s Maid
- Robert Milasch … Torturer
- D’Arcy Corrigan (The Phantom of the Opera) … Tortured Prisoner
- Harry Woods … First Officer
- Peter Cushing (At the Earth’s Core) … Second Officer
- Emmett King … King’s Chamberlain
- The Robert Mitchell Boy Choir (Blondie in Society) … Choir (as The St. Brenden Choir)