5 Responses to “The Man in the Iron Mask (102 Minutes. Full Length. Delux Cardboard Case. Richard Chamberlain, Patrick McGoohan, Louis Jourdan)”

1. C. McGhee says:

   February 20, 2010 at 12:00 am

   This show along with Chamberlain’s “Count of Monte Christo” shows why he was regarded as the star meant to play royalty. The wonderful thing though is that he does not command the show by his presence only. Every one of the main characters puts in a believable & inspired performance.

   This is one of my all time bests. Some today may think it doesn’t move quickly enough but I feel in a time that horseback was the fastest mode of land transport this pacing is correct & I enjoyed it.

   It begins with a kidnapping & exile to a prison island off France’s coast. There the unknown is placed in an iron mask to conceal his face for all time. As a mystery more than anything else is how the movie was shot. There is no misdirection though. From scene to scene you move without knowing who or maybe what is going on but it is rapidly revealed as the next mystery comes on screen.

   Here you have royal France before its fall. The 2 personalities of the king, his queen from Spain, the philandering & the true love story not to mention the Musketeers & all the supporting roles both Good & Evil for this is a Good vs. Evil story line as all here are one or the other except for those being trampled by the conflict. Keep an eye on the island blacksmith. If you like romantic adventure, political intrigue & quiet heroism this is for you. If your bored unless there are mulitiple & rapid scene changes you will not like this.

   Cast includes: Richard Chamberlain, Patrick McGoohan, Louis Jourdan, Jenny Agutter, Ian Holm (Bilbo) & Vivien Merchant & Brenda Bruce as the Queens. Parts I’m sure few actresses wanted to play & they play them brilliantly.

   Just thinking of this picture makes me smile. 5 STARS.
2. jasonhad says:

   January 3, 2010 at 12:00 am

   While the VHS video was not perfect, its darkness was penetrable. This DVD is blurry in sections, and when you first get it, the chinese subtitles are “on” so you have to work through the chinese-labeled menu choices until you find the “off” key. (Unless, of course, you can read Chinese!) The film itself, however, is intact and worth buying for a library. Richard Chamberlain carries off the dual role of King and Pretender better than any other actor has to date. Patrick McGoohan is witty and wonderful, and Louis Jourdan his inevitable mercurial performer. Authentic feelings to the sets, good editing and dialogue plus crisp direction overcome a few poor sound recordings to deliver a thoroughly memorable film.
3. Paul Kao says:

   October 12, 2009 at 12:00 am

   This film is very loosely based on Alexander Duma’s tale. If you’ve seen any other film version, the ending is about the same–none of the films use Duma’s ending. The acting is adequate and Jenny Agutter is beautiful.
4. J. Kroeckel says:

   October 6, 2009 at 12:00 am

   I love this version. In my opinion none of the others can compete with this, sorry Leonardo. I love Richard Chamberlain and Jenny Agutter.
5. Alana Baal says:

   July 19, 2009 at 12:00 am

   Been searching a long time for this movie. It came quickly to me after ordering and arrived in pristeen shape. I have vviewed the movie and it is great.My thanks to the seller.