The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)

The cruel King Louis XIV of France has a secret twin brother who he keeps imprisoned. Can the twin be substituted for the real king?

Director:

Randall Wallace

Writers:

Alexandre Dumas (novels), Randall Wallace (screenplay)

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	King Louis / Phillippe
Jeremy Irons	...	Aramis
John Malkovich	...	Athos
Gérard Depardieu	...	Porthos (as Gerard Depardieu)
Gabriel Byrne	...	D'Artagnan
Anne Parillaud	...	Queen Anne
Judith Godrèche	...	Christine (as Judith Godreche)
Edward Atterton	...	Lieutenant Andre
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Raoul
Hugh Laurie	...	King's Advisor
David Lowe	...	King's Advisor
Brigitte Boucher	...	Madame Rotund
Matthew Jocelyn	...	Assassin
Karine Belly	...	Wench
Emmanuel Guttierez	...	King's Friend

Storyline

Paris is starving, but the King of France is more interested in money and bedding women. When a young soldier dies for the sake of a shag, Aramis, Athos and Porthos band together with a plan to replace the king. Unknown to many, there is a 2nd king, a twin, hidden at birth, then imprisoned for 6 years behind an iron mask. All that remains now is D'Artagnan, will he stand against his long time friends, or do what is best for his country?

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Plot Keywords:

france | twin | musketeer | twin brother | three musketeers | 

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Taglines:

For the honor of a king. And the destiny of a country. All for one.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and some sensuality/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

France USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

13 March 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Man in the Iron Mask

Filming Locations:

Château de Pierrefonds, Pierrefonds, Oise, France

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,271,450, 15 March 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$56,968,902

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$182,968,902

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film cast includes two Oscar winners: Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeremy Irons; and two Oscar nominees: John Malkovich and Gérard Depardieu.

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Goofs

When D'Artagnan is dealing with the angry peasants about the spoiled food, and the apples are thrown, the second apple that D'Artagnan "stabs in the air" is visible on his sword before the slow-motion shot.

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Quotes

Porthos: Aramis, is this the way to hell?
Aramis: Hell may be our destination, but not this trip.

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Alternate Versions

When Philippe is in prison and Aramis comes disguised as a hugely fat friar to hear his confession and offer mass, Philippe kneels down and makes the sign of the cross. When the movie was released on VHS, Philippe's making the sign of the cross was left out.

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Connections

Featured in The Man in the Iron Mask: Director's Take (2010)

User Reviews

Mmmm.. Jeremy Irons

I only first watched it a year ago, and wasn't sure I would like it at all. Although it had some of my favorite actors (John M. Gabriel B. ..and so on) it also held some of my least favorite actors (Leonardo D. ..and that's it). I watched it, and loved it! There is comedy, romance, adventure, drama, some educational value, and it holds the oh-so-fine Jeremy Irons. I found it captivating enough, interesting so to speak. It doesn't have any of those "Is it over yet? Should I wake my legs now?" scenes. I don't recommend it for little kids, though.