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     The Man in the Iron Mask
1939  NR  DRAMA  1h 36min
CAST— Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett, Warren William, Joseph Schildkraut, Alan Hale, Walter Kingsford, Marion Martin
MUSIC— Lucien Moraweck  DIRECTOR— James Whale  BASED ON— The Vicomte de Bragelonne (story), by Alexandre Dumas

     Alexandre Dumas’ classic is here given a cinematic touch. Lavish design, beautiful costumes, and a vicious villain are but a few recommendations to this fine adventure. It seems the king of France has borne twin sons; not good for his kingdom. If they both grow to be heirs to the throne civil war may break out. Again, not good. So the king keeps his firstborn and sends the other to live life with a trusted friend. When these brothers meet twenty or so years down the line the firstborn king uses his honest brother Philippe to do all manner of dirty work. Philippe lets his morals get in the way of his orders and in so doing the people of France rejoice their king (whom they formerly despised). But the true king learns that his look-a-like is in fact his twin brother; rather than have his people adore someone other than himself, he locks his brother in the darkest dungeon, encasing his face in a cruel mask made of iron armor. Is Philippe doomed to live a life of solitary torture with darkness as his ol’ friend? Though talky, seemingly lengthy, the film does deliver as a solid drama, including romance, intrigue, and revenge.
OUR RATING— ** ½
ORIGINAL— The Iron Mask (1929)
REMADE AS— The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)