The Man in the Iron Mask

The Man in the Iron Mask is a film adaptation of a novel by Alexandre Dumas, in which the famous four musketeers are well on in years and have settled down. But when the arrogant and incompetent King Louis puts the monarchy and domestic peace in France at risk, the old friends find themselves forced to wield their swords once more.

The Man in the Iron Mask is a rollicking film that will probably be quickly forgotten, but is cheerfully entertaining while it lasts. At the same time, the film is populated by a number of well-known stars in the leading roles. Leonardo DiCaprio has the dual role of the foolish King Louis and his far more likeable twin brother, Philippe, the man in the iron mask. It is he whom the musketeers try to install as king in place of Louis. That is only possible because the brothers are as alike as two peas in a pod. The plan is not so easily carried out, however. Nor is it made any easier by the fact that the king's bodyguard D'Artagnan refuses to take part. For D'Artagnan has a secret that no one but the king's mother, Queen Anne, knows about.