Man in the Iron Mask (1939)

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(9,782 ratings)

Man in the Iron Mask is independent producer Edward Small's 1939 edition of the much-filmed Dumas classic. The title character is the rightful King of France, imprisoned by his pretender-to-the-throne twin brother (both roles are played by Louis Hayward, with an uncredited Peter Cushing doubling for… More Man in the Iron Mask is independent producer Edward Small's 1939 edition of the much-filmed Dumas classic. The title character is the rightful King of France, imprisoned by his pretender-to-the-throne twin brother (both roles are played by Louis Hayward, with an uncredited Peter Cushing doubling for Hayward in the "over the back" shots). Warren William plays musketeer D'Artagnan, who rallies his now aged swashbuckling companions Porthos (Alan Hale), Athos (Bert Roach) and Aramis (Miles Mander), to rescue the real King, whom they have raised from infancy. Director James Whale reserves a juicy cameo part for his old Frankenstein cohort Dwight "Renfield" Frye. Slightly hampered by a limited budget, Man in the Iron Mask was nonetheless popular enough to encourage producer Small to put together another literary derivation in 1940, The Son of Monte Cristo, utilizing many of the same sets. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: James Whale
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Apr 12, 1939 Wide

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
[Director James] Whale turns the dialogue into a duel in its own right, with the advisors currying favor with the corrupt King Louis XIV and the Musketeers jabbing away with witty comments.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Favors the duller romance parts to the action parts.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Very nice version of the tale.

Cast

            Louis Hayward as Louis XIV

            Joan Bennett as Maria Theresa

            Joseph Schildkraut as Fouquet

            Alan Hale as Porthos

            Warren William as D'Artagnan

            Miles Mander as Aramis

            Bert Roach as Athos

            Walter Kingsford as Colbert

            Montagu Love as Spanish Ambassador

            Doris Kenyon as Queen Anne

            Albert Dekker as Louis XII

            Reginald Barlow
            
            Howard Brooks as Cardinal

            Lane Chandler as Palace Guard

            D'Arcy Corrigan
            
            Peter Cushing as Bit Part

            Sheila Darcy
            
            Nigel De Brulier
            
            Dwight Frye
            
            Boyd Irwin as Royal High Constable

            Emmett C. King
            
            Ian Maclaren as Valet de Chambre

            Marion Martin as Mlle. de la Valliere

            Bob Milasch
            
            William Royle as Commandant of Bastille

            Wyndham Standing
            
            Dorothy Vaughan as Woman

            Fred Cavens as Francois

            Harry Woods as King's Officer
See full cast