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Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gérard Depardieu, Gabriel Byrne ... see more see more... , Anne Parillaud , Judith Godrèche , Edward Atterton , Peter Sarsgaard , Hugh Laurie , Laura Fraser , David Lowe

Oscar-nominated Randall Wallace (Braveheart) made his directorial debut with this adaptation of the 1848 classic by Alexandre Dumas (1802-70), featuring Leonardo DiCaprio in a dual role. Years have pa... read more read more...ssed since the Three Musketeers, Aramis (Jeremy Irons), Athos (John Malkovich), and Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) fought together with their friend D'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne). The arrogant, tyrannical King Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio) desires the beautiful Christine (Judith Godreche), so he orders her suitor Raoul (Peter Sarsgaard), the son of Athos, off to face death at the front. He also sends Aramis to kill the leader of a Jesuit rebellion. Louis is unaware that his loyal protector and informant, D'Artagnan, is the secret lover of his mother, Queen Anne (Anne Parillaud). Louis' younger twin brother, Philippe (also DiCaprio) is the man in the iron mask, imprisoned for the past six years. Arthos and Porthos plan to free Philippe, abduct Louis and replace him by putting Philippe on the throne. French location scenes include the Chateau de Fontainbleau. Previous adaptations: Allan Dwan's The Iron Mask (1929) with Douglas Fairbanks, the 1939 James Whale version with Louis Hayward, Patricia Medina in Lady in the Iron Mask (1952), Henri Decoin's Le Masque de Fer (1962), Mike Newell's 1976 TV movie with Richard Chamberlain, and Ken Annakin's The Fifth Musketeer (1978, aka Behind the Iron Mask) with Beau Bridges, Lloyd Bridges, Sylvia Kristel, Ursula Andress, Cornel Wilde, Jose Ferrer, Rex Harrison, and Olivia de Havilland. A second film titled The Man in the Iron Mask was released in 1998, a low-budget effort from director William Richert. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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60% liked it

296,945 ratings

Critics

33% liked it

36 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Randall Wallace

Release Date: March 13, 1998

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DVD Release Date: August 11, 1998

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Stats: 9,211 reviews

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Leonardo DiCaprio King Louis XIV On Set The Man in the Iron Mask Poster King Louis XIV The Man in the Iron Mask Poster King Louis XIV King Louis XIV King Louis XIV Philippe The Musketeers The Man in the Iron Mask Leonardo di Caprio Man in the Iron mask "The Man in the Iron Mask" Athos
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Flixster Reviews (9,211)

  • jjnxn
    February 16, 2011
    jjnxn
    While DiCaprio can be a fine actor and an arresting presence, that is not the case here. He is completely miscast, his nasally voice grating and at the point in his career when this was made he didn't have the gravitas to hold the dual roles at center stage. Malkovich is similiar... read morely out of place not in any way suggesting anything remotely contentenial in his bearing and since the rest of the cast that surrounds them are all European the casting of those two is fatal to the picture's unity and flow.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    December 12, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    At first I wasn't quite convinced by Leo's acting, I played it off by his youth and the fact that he did this after being directed by Cameron. James wouldn't care about good acting if it hit him in the face. However this was resolved when he became Philippe.
    Overall, the movie wa... read mores okay. I'm not sure I appreciated the few comedic gags in there, but what gives this movie an extra overall boost was the acting. Beautifully done. Even if for whatever reason, Dicaprio and Malkovich did not see fit to attempt British accents.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    September 10, 2010
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Great Movie! I'm trying to watch every Leonardo DiCaprio movie there ever is and this was great also, he's such a great actor and in this movie he portrays 2 different characters with magnificent skill in both. Great Story and screenplay.

    n 1638 Queen Anne of France gives Birth... read more to a boy, who will inherit the throne one day. But, only known to few, there is a twin brother born minutes later. 22 years later, King Louis XIV rules the country of France, but due to his lifestyle and the costs of war, people are forced to suffer hunger and poverty. Of the Musketeers, who had served his father Louis XIII faithfully, only one is still on the king's side: D'Artagnan, the Capitain of the king's guards. His three companions Aramis, Athos and Porthos have retired into civil life long ago. One day on a royal party, the young and unliked king gets a crush on Christine. This young lady is the fiancé of soldier Raoul, the son of Athos. Without further ado, the king has Raoul recruited and sent to war, so that he himself can take care of her. Soon Raoul dies in combat and the king has him out of the way. But Athos, Aramis and Porthos think of a plan to take revenge on the king. Aramis points out that there is a man in an iron mask in a very secure prison, and that this man's existance can solve all present problems. So they free the king's hidden twin brother, and tell him who he is, as he of course feels free of guilt and has no idea whatsoever why he was imprisoned for 6 years with this mask forged around his head. The plan now is to replace the evil king with his brother at a masquerade party held soon. Only D'Artagnan still is guarding the king and so he has to turn against his old friends...
  • CloudStrife84
    August 13, 2010
    CloudStrife84
    When a movie starts off with Gérard Depardieu breaking wind, it doesn't bode well for the quality of the script. I mean, it's not exactly what you'd call a classy character introduction. Sadly, it's not a one-time mistake, as there are more instances where it goes silly like this... read more. Another example being a scene (yet again with Depardieu) in which a bird drops a nasty surprise on his hat. That type of humor felt very misplaced here. It's like the film suffers from a case of light schizophrenia. At times it doesn't know whether to be a tasteful costume drama or a lighthearted farce. It's all a bit off balance. The careless blend of accents didn't make for a very plausible story either. On a positive note though, it is fairly entertaining. There's good chemistry within the cast and the story, despite its flaws, was interesting to follow. So if you're willing to overlook all the cheese and sloppiness, it is without doubt an enjoyable watch. Just not something I'd be eager to see again.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 13, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Man In The Iron Mask is an amusing, yet flawed adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' famous novel of the same name. This is a watered down version of Dumas' story. Despite this, this is a fun film to watch time, and time again. it' very entertaining and amusing. The cast does a pret... read morety good job, and Leonardo Dicaprio displays early signs of his acting abilituies (he quickly honed his craft with Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg) Though a flawed film, this is still pretty entertaining, and amusing. The look of the film is very well done as well, and the sets and costumes are very elaborate. Director Randall Wallace (who wrote the script to Braveheart) directs and displays good directorial skills, he should make more films. To sumarrize, if you want an action period film thats lots of fun, this is one film to check out.
  • ythelastman89
    November 23, 2009
    ythelastman89
    A horrible movie with an excellent cast. That being said, even the cast had horrible acting in this film. It is a ridiculous attempt at making a sequel to the Three Musketeers, being a loose translation at best of Alexandre Dumas' Vicomte of Bragelonne.
  • allan913
    January 6, 2008
    allan913
    Grand entertainment pleasure. Swift, fun and very exciting. The cast is excellent. It's wickedly funny and action-packed. A classic film adventure. An absolutely enjoyable and pleasently entertaining movie you cant get enough of. Brilliant performances by the enyire group. Leonar... read moredo DiCaprio is sensational. John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu and Jeremy Irons are teriffic. Gabriel Byrne is marvelous.
  • thmtsang
    December 29, 2007
    thmtsang
    I love period dramas with a great cast. King Louis XIV of France is a cruel ruler, who oppresses his people and is a womaniser. He has a secret twin brother whom he has hidden away and is covered by an iron mask. One of my faves - double Leo!
  • puffchunk
    September 28, 2007
    puffchunk
    been a while.
  • Redlats
    August 25, 2007
    Redlats
    Leonardo DiCaprio's first role after Titanic. The story's OK, but the four Musketeers do a better job that Leonardo.

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Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 11, 2010
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

The Man in the Iron Mask needed more of a jaunty twinkle, more wolfish grins, less thinking and more doing. Full Review

Michael Dequina
March 30, 2009
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Leonardo DiCaprio times two. What more could you want? Perhaps more thrilling swash and buckle. Full Review

Philip Martin
January 27, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

...this version of The Man in the Iron Mask owes more to Star Wars than Star Wars owes to Dumas. Full Review

Jeffrey Westhoff
June 6, 2003
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Though a fine actor, DiCaprio is no Errol Flynn. With his choirboy face and chess-club physique, he is scarcely fit to play swashbuckling hero or villain.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 21, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Reveals how important it is in middle age to keep one's spiritual ideals alive and shining. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 27, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

A laughably flimsy remake of a frequently told adventure.

Pablo Villaca
May 31, 2002
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Para sorte de Randall Wallace, o material com que ele trabalhava era bom demais para ser estragado. Alexandre Dumas salvou o filme. Full Review

Widgett Walls
December 27, 2001
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

One big advantage this film has -- now brace yourselves -- some of the actors actually speak with French accents! Full Review

Harry Haun
July 31, 2001
Harry Haun, Film Journal International

Alongside previous men in the iron mask, the '98 contender doesn't amount to much. Full Review

Steve Rhodes
July 31, 2001
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

Unless you have a thing for DiCaprio, you're better off renting any of the other adaptations. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Aramis: [narrating] Some of this is legend, but at least this much is fact - when rioting citizens of France destroyed the Bastille, they discovered within its records this mysterious entry: Prisoner # 64389000 - The Man in the Iron Mask.
    • Athos: [to Phillipe] Once I, once all of us, believed in serving something greater than ourselves. Aramis had his faith, Porthos his lust for life, D'Artagnan his devotion and I had Raoul. But we all had a common dream. That one day we would finally be able to serve a king who was worthy of the throne. It is what we dreamt, what we bled for, and what we have waited a lifetime to see. I taught Raoul to believe in that dream, and now my son is dead. And now I want to know if my son's life was in vain, and the only person who can answer that is you.
    • Athos: D'Artagnan, I have never known a finer man than you nor cared more for a friend, but if this king harms my son merely to take a lover, then this king will become my enemy. And so will any man who stands between that enemy and me.
    • Philippe: I wear the mask. It does not wear me.
    • D'Artagnan: Anne, to love you is treason against France. But not to love you is treason against my heart.
    • Louis XIV: D'Artagnan, you will hunt down Porthos, Athos, and Aramis, and bring me their heads, or I will have yours. And as for you, my brother, back to the prison you will go, and into the mask you hate. Wear it 'til you love it! And die in it.
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The Man in the Iron Mask Trivia

  • What movie is this quote from? "Is that the kind of king you wish me to be? Or do you say this because of your son?"  Answer »
  • in which movie did Leonardo Dicaprio have a twin brother   Answer »
  • In which film does Leonardo DiCaprio play the role of twin brothers?  Answer »
  • what two movies did john malkovich and jeremy irons act in together  Answer »
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