Review of Man in the Iron Mask, The

Introduction

This is one of six film adaptations of the last volume in Alexandre Dumas` novel, `The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later` and was one of Lew Grade`s big budget ITC productions. The identity of the `real` man in the iron mask is much disputed and debated, with Dumas asserting that the prisoner was the king`s elder twin. Dumas` novel and this film say that those close to the throne were aware of his existence and, when he became an adult, was recognised because of his physical resemblance to the king and by a birthmark on his chest that the twin was known to have.

`The Man in the Iron Mask` stars Richard Chamberlain as Louis XIV and his identical twin brother Philippe who was imprisoned by his younger brother so that he could take the throne. Broken out of prison by elements of the king`s household who are opposed to him, including D`Artagnan (Louis Jourdan), Philippe is carefully groomed to assume the identity of his brother and take the throne himself without anyone noticing. The daughter of the prisoner in the adjacent cell to Philippe, Louise de la Vallière (Jenny Agutter), who the king lusts after, falls in love with Philippe.

Video

An unspectacular 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer that doesn`t appear to have undergone any restoration since 1977 yet doesn`t look too bad for a film that was made three decades ago. The picture is soft and the colours are slightly muted, but these are minor quibbles in a fine looking film. Lew Grade obviously spent a great deal of money on this project, shooting in France with high production values and terrific costumes.

Audio

The DD 2.0 mono is perfectly clear and the same one that was on the 1977 broadcast.
There are no subtitles.

Features

Under `Special Features`, there is only the theatrical trailer and an image gallery - far from special.

Conclusion

It`s clear that this is one of Lew Grade`s big budget TV films, with high production values and a star-studded cast that includes Ian Holm, Ralph Richardson, Vivien Merchant, Brenda Bruce, Jenny Agutter and Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan is the pick of the actors, with his scheming Fouquet, whilst Richard Chamberlain was a bit limp in his dual role as the king and his wronged twin. Louis XIV is made out to be a vain, narcissistic egotist, who was hated by much of his household, but Chamberlain does not convincingly portray this, nor the hatred that Philippe would feel towards Louis. The rest of the cast are great and Mike Newell`s direction keeps the film moving along at a lively pace, but Chamberlain is the weak link.

`The Man in the Iron Mask` is an enjoyable romp and an undemanding watch, yet it`s another of the Granada/Network budget releases that doesn`t appear to have an obvious target audience. It`s the sort of film that you`d expect to see on a weekday afternoon on ITV1, not a film that you`d rush out to rent or buy on DVD.