This may be a very loose adaptation in detail- though not in spirit, there is a real feel of what makes the story so good in the first place- of the classic Dumas tale, but adaptations deserve to be judged on their own terms(fidelity to the source material has never been an issue to me, there may be some poor adaptations around but if they are of such good quality elsewhere it would be very unfair to completely dismiss them) and this adaptation of Man in the Iron Mask is not an exception. And yes it is a very good example of being brilliant on its own regardless. It may start off rather slow and a little poorly staged in the first 10 minutes but it picks up very quickly and is near faultless after that. It may be a TV film but one of great quality, the locations and scenery are colourful and very authentic and the same can be said for the costumes. The photography is also fluid and skillful, not cinematic but hardly amateurish or too studio-bound. The music is rousing and enhances the action very well, while the script is witty and successful in the comic and dramatic moments, what there is of the action is very exciting and not clumsy-looking at all and the direction doesn't allow the film to rush or drag beyond the first 10 minutes. The story is still the thrilling, suspenseful, fun and ceaselessly compelling one that we know with scenes that prove to be quite memorable. Especially when the iron mask is fitted onto Phillippe, quite cruelly harrowing in a way, Phillippe and Louise dancing the minuet which was beautiful to watch and more than satisfying dramatically and the touching scene where Phillippe meets his mother for the first time. If there was an asset that fared best it was the acting. The standout is Richard Chamberlain, in one of his best films and roles he is amazing as both Phillippe and Louis, completely believable in roles that couldn't be more different. You'd be hard pressed to find a crueller and more egotistical Louis than Chamberlain and his Phillippe is subtle and sympathetic. Patrick McGoohan is also wonderful, literally seething with villainy while having a touch of charm, and his intense scheming chemistry with Chamberlain's Louis is equally good. Ian Holm is wonderfully shrewd and intelligent and Louis Jourdan is a sly and dignified D'Artagnan. Ralph Richardson doesn't disappoint either and Jenny Agutter visually has never been more lovely and still brings believability and enchantment to a somewhat one-note character. All in all, a brilliant version, adaptation-wise the 1939 may be a little better but this is my personal favourite, both trump the Leonardo DiCaprio version though that has its merits too. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Review of The Man in the Iron Mask
