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Amazon.co.uk Review
Footnotes in film books are likely to reduce this swashbuckling adventure down to a simple description: it was the first movie to star Leonardo DiCaprio after the phenomenal success of Titanic. As such, The Man in the Iron Mask automatically attracted a box-office stampede of Leo's young female fans, but critical reaction was deservedly mixed. Having earned his directorial debut after writing the Oscar-winning script for Mel Gibson's Braveheart, Randall Wallace wrote and directed this ambitious version of the often-filmed classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. DiCaprio plays dual roles as the despotic King Louis XIV, who rules France with an iron fist, and the king's twin brother, Philippe, who languishes in prison under an iron mask, his identity concealed to prevent an overthrow of Louis' throne. But Louis' abuse of power ultimately enrages Athos (John Malkovich), one of the original Four Musketeers, who recruits his former partners (Gabriel Byrne, Gérard Depardieu, and Jeremy Irons) in a plot to liberate Philippe and install him as the king's identical replacement. Once this plot is set in motion and the Musketeers are each given moments in the spotlight, the film kicks into gear and offers plenty of entertainment in the grand style of vintage swashbucklers. But it's also sidetracked by excessive length and disposable subplots, and for all his post-Titanic star power, the boyish DiCaprio just isn't yet "man" enough to be fully convincing in his title role. Still, this is an entertaining film, no less enjoyable for falling short of the greatness to which it aspired. --Jeff Shannon
Video Description
DVD Special Features
Feature-length stereo commentary by Randall Wallace, Director
Chapter Search
Original Theatrical Trailer
Soundtrack: English/German/Spanish/French/Italian
Subtitles: English/German/Spanish/Dutch/Finnish/Swedish/Norwegian/Danish/Portuguese/French/Italian
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Man in the iron Mask,
By
This review is from: Man In The Iron Mask The [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
I came to watch this DVD by accident, intending it would cheer up my son who was unwell and unable to go out. Within moments I was transfixed; utterly absorbed. The acting, script and cinematography were all superb and entirely convincing of the period, style and spirit of Dumas' fictional world. I am at my wits end to know how some other reviewers have labelled this film as shallow, immersing itself as it does, into some of the greatest themes in human experience: love; loyalty; integrity (in the face of "certain" defeat); friendship; free will and personal identity.
The film uses melodrama, but this is entirely in keeping with the genre, and without it the impact and moral imperative of the story would definitely be weaker. This is much more than costumes swashing their buckles or buckling their swashes (?): this is heart-wrenching tragedy, high drama, pathos (no pun intended) and comedy (provided in large part by Depardieu's Pathos). I was on the edge of my seat gripped with fear when it seemed as though heroism would die forever. I wept buckets when D'Artagnan sacrifices himself for his son. My heart leapt with joy again when heroism is resurrected. If you want to see real politics, turn on the news. If you want to watch real fighting, hang out in the city centre. If you want to be inspired to live to your highest truth, watch The Man in the Iron Mask.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyable but not faithful to the book,
By Leander (London) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Man In The Iron Mask The [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
Fortunately I saw this film before reading the book, and my rating is based upon my assessment of the film alone. Coming to it without having read Dumas's book, but knowing who the three Musketeers and d'Artagnan are, you're in for a glorious swashbuckling romp, the like of which we don't see enough these days. The film's plot is fast-paced, enjoyable and spiced up with a good deal of intrigue. Gerard Depardieu, Jeremy Irons and Gabriel Byrne are all extremely good as Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan, but I felt that John Malkovich was a little wooden as Athos. Unfortunately I didn't feel that Raoul or Christine had enough depth to really make me care very much about their subplot (and Christine is not particularly good). I thought that Leonardo DiCaprio carried his part off very well, although of course he is slightly overshadowed by the key four actors. Visually the film is stunning.
But here's the catch - and I haven't taken this into account in rating the film because, as I say, I saw the film before reading the book and therefore enjoy it as an object in its own right. The plot is not remotely similar to that of the book. Very major changes have been made to Dumas's plot, major characters have been excised or had their names changed, and fans of Dumas will not recognise the ending of the film. The achievement of the scriptwriters is to give us a story that, while it bears no resemblance to what Dumas actually wrote, nevertheless does (as another reviewer said) have a very sympathetic spirit. The question is whether or not you can continue to enjoy the film even though it differs so radically from its source material - and for me, the answer is an unqualified, resounding Yes.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What actor in his forties would not want to be a Musketeer?,
By A Customer
This review is from: Man In The Iron Mask The [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
I know why I like this movie and it is simply because "The Man in the Iron Mask" does for swordplay movies what "Space Cowboys" did for space movies. It allowed a bunch of older actors to have fun in parts usually reserved for the younger set. I can just imagine John Malkovich's eyes lighting up at the thought of somebody asking him to play one of the Three Musketeers (Athos). The same goes for Jeremy Irons (Aramis), Gerard Depardieu (Porthos) and Gabriel Byrne (D'Artagnan). The key line for me in the movie is when Lieutenant Andre (Edward Atterton) points to D'Artagnan and says "All of my life all I ever wanted to be was HIM." But you can substitute any one of the Musketeers in that statement. I just cannot imagine any Hollywood actor of my age turning down this script. You get to be one of the Three Musketeers!So I am onboard for the fun. This is a solid "B" movie But above all I liked watching Malkovich, whose ability to provide nuance into underplaying a role is exquisite and it is so much fun watching him draw his swords and have at it. Depardieu has fun as the bawdry brawler of the bunch, although the script relegates him to the comic relief part of the festivities. Irons provides the most panache of the quartet and the twinkle in his eyes as Aramis hatches his master plan to restore the honor of France counterbalances the deadness in the eyes of Athos after the death of his son. Byrne gets to play a pillar of virtue and his character is more a reflection of the good opinion of everybody else. It is only in his affection for Queen Anne (Anne Parillaud in a dignified but heartfelt performance) and his attempts to instruct Louis that his heart comes through. "The Man in the Iron Mask" is, like the novel, not a great story but more of a grand adventure.
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