Visitors Review

Jérôme PETER (2012-05-24 11:17)

Good movie but not Depardieu's best!

The film was quite good, especially the dialogues. DiCaprio acts well buthe's not as bad as the real young King Louis XIV was.He NEVER helped theFrench to have a better life, so the end of the film is wrong. Depardieuacts well but it's CERTAINLY not his best role! He was much better in"Cyrano de Bergerac" who covers the same period (The XVII century).

kristinalip (2012-05-23 16:59)

Brilliant

The movie is just brilliant, the cast is perfect,and Gabriel Byrne reallymade D'Artagnan look just the way that he is supposed to look. Leonardo toomade a great performance,he really had to work hard on this movie because hehad two characters to play.I am not going to comment on the others(JohnMalkovich,Gerar Depardeu,Jeremy Irons,Anne Parrillaud,JudithGodreche)because all of them were just great.

baikal (2012-05-22 22:06)

horrible!

What a horrible movie! And such a waste of talent too!John Malkovitch, a truly excellent actor, is particularlynauseating as Athos. Br-r-r-r-r.

Geofbob (2012-05-22 06:14)

Dumas would have been pleased (perhaps)

This 1998 movie provides everything a swashbuckling cape-and-swordflick should - legendary heroes, a cruel villain, noble sentiments,touches of love and sex, some slapstick, picturesque scenery, sumptuousinteriors and of course dashing swordplay (the last perhaps a littlelimited by the maturity of some of the principals).It has also some reasonably intelligent dialogue, provided bywriter/producer/director, Randall Wallace, and spoken in part by two ofthe finest voices in the business - Jeremy Irons (Athos) and JohnMalkovich (Aramis). Gerard Depardieu (Porthos) and Gabriel Byrne(D'Artangnan) are the other two of the original 3 + 1 Musketeers.The villainy of the young King Louis 14 is provided by LeonardoDiCaprio, who may be too wishy-washy for some tastes, though hecertainly has the veneer of elegance needed for the part. One niggle Ihave is, that it would have been better if he had been instructed topronounce Athos either with a short a or a long a (preferably theformer) and not alternate between the two.The plot, like the Dumas novel on which it is based, has no less, andno more, credibility than is appropriate for this type of film - foranyone interested in the real events and rumours surrounding the Man inthe Iron Mask, I recommend this website -http://www.royalty.nu/legends/IronMask.html One aspect of the film I find amusing is that in this version of aquintessentially French story, the only French actor in the quartet ofheroes, Gerard Depardieu, plays the part of a uncouth, lecherousbuffoon; while an Englishman, an American and an Irishman provide thegrace, heartfelt speeches and depth of character. I wonder how thatwent down with the audience in France.

Roy Henock (2012-05-21 03:48)

BORRRRRING!

I'm amazed to see that other people (or androids with no taste, morelikely) actually LIKED this boring waste of invaluable time! This movie hadno action, no excitement and no reason to be made...except possibly to cashin on Leonardo DiCaprio's popularity from "Titanic." This movie was not onlya waste of time, but a waste of some really first-rate actors such as JohnMalkovich and Jeremy Irons. I haven't read the book but am encouraged tonote in other negative reviews that the movie is nothing like the book (sowhat else is new?) so maybe reading the book will make me forget about thisawful film. I'm amazed to read that other people out there (or possiblyandroids who have not been programmed to recognize the difference betweengood and bad films) actually liked this snore-filled cure for insomnia. Ifsomeone thinks this movie is good (or worse yet, great) I'd hate to see whatmovies they hate! I hate this movie & so should everyone else! If you wantto see a REAL action film, try "The Three Musketeers" (1974) or "The FourMusketeers" - both based on the novel "The Three Musketeers" by AlexandreDumas, who also wrote "The Man in the Iron Mask".

(2012-05-20 19:01)

Not the best swordfight movie, but one of the better ones

Few authors' resume has spawned as many big screen adaptations as Alexander Dumas, the French writer of long-winded adventure tales. The most famous adaptations have been of the 3, sometimes 4, musketeers. This one from the late 1990's is probably the most balanced and well written one. The movie stars a cast from numerous countries, including veterans such as Jeremy Irons, Gerard Depardieu and John Malkovich. The key to the movie is Leo DiCaprio, who plays identical twins; one good and one bad, and Leo does a good job of portraying both.The movie itself is best described as a drama. There is action, but it does not dominate the movie. There is some comedy, but only in a couple of scenes. The only substantial romance is a sideplot between the King's mother and one of the musketeers. As a story, it is quite believable and is not made to be a glorification of the musketeers. Instead, it is a good historical epic with heavy emphasis on good storytelling, good dialogue, and the occasional twist and turn. Worth the time to watch it.

(2012-05-20 07:49)

Excellent Film!

Great mystery, great suspense, an evil brother and his twin who's been locked away in a dungeon with "an Iron Mask" covering his face. The Good musketeers who hate the evil brother King and want to use the twin to reclaim the Kingdom. Very good storyline! Very good Musketeer movie! Enjoyable and entertaining.

Eva Jonsson (2012-05-19 21:59)

A bad movie

I was really captured by Leonardo DiCaprio's performance in Titanic, and Iplanned to go to the cinema to watch this film. I'm glad that I didn't go.It was a huge disappointment. Maybe the actors had a bad season, becausethey were really...I can't find the words for it.My vote would have been 2 out of 10 but the clothes and surroundings werebeautiful so I voted a weak 3.Don't see this movie, it's a waste of time!

Theoriginaltruebrit (2012-05-17 16:42)

Classic acting, flawed story, but worth the watch.

I have to admit that Gabriel Byrne is one of my favourite actors and itwas a joy to see him play so well in this movie. Ditto Jeremy Irons whowas superb as Aramis..., John Malcovich played, well John Malcovich...and unfortunately Gerard Depardui was terribly miscast. I have saidthis again and again and perhaps one day directors will get it. WhenFrench people are in France speaking French they DO NOT HAVE ANACCENT.... so it was hugely inappropriate to cast Depardu as aFrenchman... cast among English speaking actors he appeared to be aforeigner in his own country (ditto the girl who played Christine andthe woman who plays the queen). Either have EVERYONE with accents(however hugely inappropriate that may be) or No one has an accent.Despite that Depardu was wonderful in his role and hugely funny(although I am not sure he was meant to be). I would have perhaps castanother American or English actor in the role. Leonardo DiCaprio wasmore than passable after the awful "Titanic" and the rest of thesupporting cast were wonderful (although I think Stephen Rea sometimesthought he was in a Christmas pantomime and was just waiting for theboos from the crowd). Needless to say the entire movie is worthwatching for the pure beauty of Byrne and Irons..., classic acting,understated, brilliant with beautiful, beautiful voices, it is very sadhow underused these wonderful actors are in the business today, theycan act the socks off just about every other actor in Hollywood and yetthey just don't get the parts that they deserve. (just try and catchhow many voice overs both of them do on American adverts - you will besurprised). (Byrne fans by the way should as I do rejoice in "Stigmata"a truly wonderful performance in a wonderfully enegmatic film) I couldlisten to both Byrne and Irons reading the phone book. It is a joy tosee them in the same film.

SarahNM (2012-05-17 11:36)

Definitely flawed, but enjoyable

I saw this movie on the big screen the first time. Back then I still had athing for Leo, so that was part of the reason I wanted to see it, eventhough I didn't think he would do period very well. I was so right! Perhaps it was just someone's horrible script decisions, but his lines wereextremely stilted and at some times just anachronistic. (Something like,"So, we're having difficulties with the Danish, huh?" I don't think so.) Other than that, he did do a wonderful job creating the contrast betweenLouis and Philippe. As far as the other actors were concerned, I don't knowwhy they decided to cast Depardieu and Malkovich together, seeing as theyboth stick out like sore thumbs. Depardieu is the only Musketeer who'sactually French, and Malkovich sounds like he just stepped out of acornfield in Ohio. Aside from all of that, the scenery and costumes arequite stunning, and the story intriguing. I've rented this movie a fewtimes now, to endure the mistakes and enjoy what was doneright.

Ariel-28 (2012-05-16 01:21)

The film makes a great influence.

THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK is a really excellent movie. I was quite upset tosee Philippe in the dungeon wearing that horrible mask! And it's hard tounderstand how King Louis can be so selfish although his people isstarving.I must say that the story could never have a greater end, for no otherpunishment would be enough to the King!The acting is also very good. I like the old musketeers, especiallyd'Artagnan, and Queen Mother Anne is sympathetic.

(2012-05-15 17:24)

Closest to the idea of the Musketeers.

I know that every movie should be judged independent of it's source material, but I have a really hard time when it comes to Dumas' stories. He just did them so well that I find it hard to watch my favorite charaters get butchered on screen. This movie didn't do that so bad. They butchered the story, and many of the charaterizations were just wrong, somehow I think this movie captured the spirit or essence of the novels beter than other movies.That being said now I need to review this as a movie independent of the novel. Most of the performances were good, the direction was adaquite, but the story was flawed, though beter than any other version of the Iron Mask I've seen. More or less it is a good adventure that is quite fun to watch, though it leaves no lasting impression.

(2012-05-15 01:21)

Just the right look...

When one thinks of Alexandre Dumas' three musketeers and of D'Artagnan, one usually imagines men who look exactly like the ones in this movie...in other words, the casting is just right. Leonardo DiCaprio also does a terrific job in his dual role, able to act evil and underhanded as King Louis or gentle and vulnerable as his twin Philippe with wonderful ease and feeling. Hats off to this talented young actor for such a versatile and interesting performance. The musical score, the costumes and the sets all contribute to the making of this a fine period drama...Bravo to all, cast and crew, for this highly enjoyable movie!

(2012-05-14 18:31)

One of the worst films I have ever seen...

Well, I just tried to watch this film on TV but I couldn't make it all the way through. This is one of the worst films I have seen in years -- I found myself unintenionally laughing and cringing throughout. Malkovich, Irons, Byrne, and perhaps Depardieu should be ashamed for taking part in such a lemon of a movie. Di Caprio is the worst part of course as he is totally miscast as the King. In all, the entire film is a highly melodramatized piece of rubbish that should be avoided at all costs.

Philip Verdieck (2012-05-13 19:16)

Under-performance of the Decade

Given the presences of J. Malkovitch, G. Depardieu and J.Irons,I expected an enjoyable Musketeers movie. Instead this was a film I had toendure to reach the credits. This has to be themost disappointing movie I have seen in the past few years. The aboveactors appeared to be "sleep acting" and L. DiCaprio was annoying and allaround pathetic. If you want to see a musketeers movie, it is not possibleto find a worse choice than this film. If it were possible to rate thismovie less than a "1" I would do so.

(2012-05-13 10:43)

"One For All, and All For One!"

This is a magnificent movie and would be a great addition to anyones' collection. The actors do an amazing job portraying the musketeers in this version of the Man in the Iron Mask. The sounds and scenery add to the wonderful ambiance created in this film. I have owned it since it came out and still enjoy watching it every time. It has one of the greatest endings of any movie I have seen, every director should strive to have an ending like this.I guess all I can say is, if you don't at least see this movie you're missing out.

(2012-05-13 12:32)

A touching, swashbuckling wonderful movie.

I thought this was a wonderful movie. Leonardo did a superb job playing twins and the other performances were top notch as well. This was no chick-flick; men have something to enjoy with the competitiveness of the Musketeers and also the touching scenes of friendship between these men. Rarely in movies are men portrayed as sensitive beings and rarely are close friendships between men celebrated as much as in this film. I recommend for anyone who enjoys history and romance.

(2012-05-12 18:13)

My Favorite Poor Movie...

Sounds confusing? Well, it is. This movie IS my favorite, so far, but I'm not really sure whether to shun it or love it. DiCaprio's acting is wonderful, considering the many challenges of playing twins; with mixed personalities (and parents..) at that! Byrne was, as always, superb, and the added Hollywood romance doesn't take away from the movie at all... in fact, it adds to it. Malkowvich (or however you spell that) portrays an exellent Athos, as does Irons and Depardieu with their great acting as Aremis and Porthos. In fact, all the actors were great; even down the insignificant extras. But the historical accuracy was poor. Very poor. DiCaprio has an American accent, as does Malkowvich, and Byrne and Irons have an British accent. The only true Frenchies in the whole movie (which is supposed to take place in France, in case you haven't picked that up) are Depardieu and the many talented, significant "others" such as the Queen, Christine, and the royal court.All in all, the movie dramaticly moved me above all others, and I'm glad I have had the pleasure (confusion aside) of watching it.

grdnbryc (2012-05-11 23:33)

Ever seen something so bad it's funny?

Okay, so it isn't terrible but it comes pretty close in a couple ofareas. I think what saved it was the complete air of ridiculousnessabout the whole thing. Irons, Malkovich and Depardieu overact toenormous fun and Leo's spoiled brat king needs a good kicking. The factthat none of them can seem to muster any semblance to a French accent(except Queen Anne and Depardieu - and if it was anyone else you'dswaer he was faking) is not so much terrible as entertaining. However Ido feel sorry for Gabriel Byrne. With one of the few serious roles inthe film he doesn't get to be as lose as the others and has to make dowith some of the worst lines, but he soldiers bravely onwards like themusketeer he plays. A fairly decent romp all round.

perfectbond (2012-05-11 09:18)

Great period film

I haven't read the Alexandre Dumas novel or seen any of the other filmversions but I was very impressed with this movie. The truly all-star castdoes a terrific job in defining each character and the interaction isspectacular. The themes of chivalry, loyalty, duty, honor and so forth weremovingly conveyed by the story. The costumes, settings, sets, and props,were also top notch in transporting the audience to that time and place.When 'the man in the iron mask' takes it off for the first time, movie magicis created. Terrific mix of drama, action, and characterization, 8/10.