L'Homme au masque de fer

There seems to be an inferiority complex about this version of THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK but why ? Mike Newall is a competent director and he's assembled a fine cast in something that doesn't resemble a made for television movie . The story itself is based upon a Dumas swashbuckling classic but there's a fly in the ointment that is an obvious giveaway that this version lacks confidence .

What am I talking about ? Why the music of course . Whenever the film wants us to feel something Allyn Ferguson's score dictates how the audience should be feeling . Certainly the score for THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK goes with the visuals but did it need to be so obvious ? It's almost like listening to PETER AND THE WOLF where the music itself is the narrative and I'm not sure if that's a good thing in cinema

On my school days I had read some novels from the French creative genius Alexandre Dumas, what a time immersed in those pages, revisiting this fine movie on DVD with the same leading actor of Count of Monte Cristo, Richard Chamberlain on dual role of Phillip and Louis XIV of France, nevertheless who really shines is Patrick McGooran as the greedy Fouquet, embodying the evil character optimally, cold, smirking and manipulative.

The angelical beauty of Jenny Agutter as Louise is another high point, adorning the picture, also Louis Jourdan as D'Artagnan who doesn't stay clear if was one of Three Musketeers, but very possible, shot on several palaces on France provide a natural authenticity to improve the movie, as expect the Dumas's wit the changing of Louis for Phillip is cunning, good portrait of seventeen century, compressed Dumas's novel, however overall an enjoyable TV picture!!

Resume:

First watch: 1987 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7.25.

I had never read Dumas' novel, or made it through any filmed versions before, so only had the vaguest notion of what the story was about. What a sumptuous production it is. The scenes of the Sun Kings' soirées at his châteaux were splendidly staged and, one can only hope, historically accurate. Could he really have been so rude to his wife in public? It was so outrageous that 'you couldn't make it up'! So it must be true! The main attraction was of course McGoohan and he did not disappoint. I knew things were going to be good when he made no attempt at one of those dodgy accents he is prone to. His clipped, calculating tones were brilliant as the scheming Fouquet. For me, the first half of the production was by far superior. The scene between Richard Chamberlain and McGoohan in the coach was superb and only topped by the sequence of Chamberlain being fitted with his mask as McGoohan regards him like a cat does, its victimised mouse.

I'm probably wrong but I also felt McGoohan must have had a hand in the terrific sequence of Chamberlain thrashing about in his cell, trying to reason why he was being picked on. The anguish of his Kafkaesque imprisonment was superbly executed and that shot of the departing boat through the squares of the barred window…..I expected to see McGoohan's stern face approaching at light speed with a clanging crash at any second!

Lew Grade and Patrick McGoohan – funny how good they were together. It would be nice to think they did meet during the course of the filming process, even if Mr. McGoohan had to get out of bed at 5am to get to Lord Grade's office in time for his 6am appointment!

A young man (Richard Camberlain) is locked in prison without knowing why. It will take Musketeer D'Artagnan (Louis Jordan) and a lovely from the court of Louis XIV (Jenny Agutter) to solve the problem.

All the TV networks used to do very good (if often eviscerated) novels for television. One network even had the good idea of having one of the actors making a tag to recommend further reading, in the case of classics. For modern novels current-popular TV stars were good enough for their all-star casts, but costume-drama classics could draw bona fide movie stars, as this one did.

Of the superb cast, Chamberlain and Agutter are ernest. The great Ralph Richardson is low-key. Ian Holm might as well be twirling his mustache as a villain. Patrick McGoohan, however, rises above the screenplay and shines with his patented unusual line readings.

The Dumas story is really the last ride of the Three Musketeers, and I love Musketeer movies. Unfortunately, due to budget or time limitations the Musketeers have been reduced to Louis Jordan, who sounds peculiar in a French story with his French accent, as no one else has one.

Still, it's Dumas done with an A-list cast. Enjoy.

I'm not usually drawn to French historical/3 Musketeer films but I switched over to a movie channel today and this had just started so I thought I would give it a go. Within minutes I was captivated by the wonderful acting and the deviously intricate plot.

Richard Chamberlain is, here, a revelation. Nothing less. He excels in both of the very different roles he has to play. His depiction of King Louis XIV is quite mesmerising. The scene in which he arrogantly dances a ballet for his court is extraordinary. And, towards the end (I am trying not to spoil) Chamberlain - this time playing the other twin - is involved in another great dance moment, when he dances at a ball with the Queen and they have a private conversation as they dance, which is so well-written and performed that it will have you grinning with delight.

Patrick McGoohan, Ian Holm, Ralph Richardson and the rest of the cast are also on top form. The sumptuous direction is equally superb. Unfortunately, as it was a TV movie, the quality of the sound and video tape has suffered a little over the years, and I suspect this may be the reason why it has not been shown so often. But the deterioration in the visual quality is overcome by the brilliance of the acting and direction, which really do shine through the primitive technology to make for a truly memorable film experience.

I felt, watching some of this film, as if I was watching an opera. But if you don't like opera - don't let that put you off! It's the grandness of the story and the unashamedness of the acting/direction that I'm talking about. It is very rare that film-makers just throw caution to the winds and allow themselves to 'go for it' like this. Just watch it and you will know what I mean.