Review: The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)

Set in 1600s France, with the four musketeers somewhat divided over D’Artagnan’s (Gabriel Byrne) devotion to a selfish and cruel King Louis XIV (Leonardo Di Caprio). Louis earns the eternal hatred of vengeful Athos (John Malkovich) when he cruelly sends Athos’ son Peter Sarsgaard to battle just so he can move in on Sarsgaard’s fiancé. Athos, full of thoughts of revenge is joined by fellow musketeers Jeremy Irons (as the religiously-minded Aramis) and Gerard Depardieu (as the good-naturedly indulgent Porthos) in a plan to rescue France from its ruler. Somehow this involves the imprisoned and masked man whom the vile Louis has had hidden away for years. Who is he and why is this man such a threat to Louis? Where exactly does he fit into the Musketeers plans? Meanwhile, D’Artagnan is conflicted by loyalties to his friends and to his King, no matter the ruler’s (many) flaws.

 

Terrific supporting cast and a still enthralling story make you forget that Di Caprio was a not-ready-for-prime-time player in this 1998 Randall Wallace (best known as the screenwriter of “Braveheart”) directed version of the Alexandre Dumas tale. I’d still stick with the Richard Chamberlain version, but this one’s quite good, though Di Caprio fares better as the innocent title character than he does as petulant King Louis XIV (he might be able to play it now, but back in 1998, not so much). Gerard Depardieu steals it in a showy comic turn as Porthos (he’s clearly having a whale of a time), but Irons gives one of his more likeable turns, and Malkovich is fine despite being slightly miscast.

 

Good fun, nothing more, nothing less, it helps if you like these sorts of films. Scripted by the director, it’s a touch long perhaps.

 

Rating: B-

 

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