Philippe//Louis--(Louis Hayward v. Richard Chamberlain). Hayward had more acting experience but Chamberlain as the younger looking man seemed to bring more vitality and athleticism to the role. His film was one of a series of swashbuckler made-for-TV movies that firmly established Chamberlain as a worthy successor to Errol Flynn in this genre. Hayward occasionally ventured again in this type of part (see e.g. The Son Of Monte Cristo). Strangely, the split image trick photography device was employed to greater advantage in the earlier film. Both Hayward and Chamberlain were fully up to the demands of the role, with a nod given to Chamberlain because of his more realistic and natural performance in the dual part.
Female Lead--(Joan Bennett as Maria Theresa v. Jenny Agutter as Louise). By this time, Bennett (a natural blond) had morphed into a Hedy Lamarr-type brunette clone. And like Lamarr, Bennett was not known to be a particularly gifted actress. On the other hand, Agutter (a natural blond) seemed to be the more accessible leading lady and created a more youthful appearing image than Bennett was capable of projecting. Agutter had already established herself as a desirable beautiful young woman (see e.g. Walkabout) and was most attractively costumed in her film. Bennett as the less animated of the two delivered a serviceable but otherwise undistinguished performance.
Fouquet--(Joseph Schildkraut v. Patrick McGoohan). These two actors had perhaps the most "meaty" role in each's respective film, and their veteran acting experience helped them to present a colorful somewhat eccentric over the top character who added dimension and interest when he was on camera--which was often. Both actors created a rather florid but quite believable villain.
D'Artagnan--(Warren William v. Louis Jourdan). William was one of the most busy leading men of the 1930s, and already had several significant such roles under his belt. See e.g. Cleopatra, Lady For A Day and Imitation Of Life. Jourdan was also established as a popular leading man in such vehicles as Letter From An Unknown Woman, Gigi and The Paradine Case. Each made a convincing D'Artagnan, with Jourdan the more animated of the two.
Colbert--(Walter Kingsford v. Ralph Richardson). Richardson was one of England's most prominent and gifted actors, and he conveyed gravity and dimension to every line he spoke. Kingsford was a relatively minor character actor who may be best known as the humane hospital administrator in the MGM Dr. Kildare series. Richardson's wit and humor are fully evident in his few brief but highly effective scenes.
Director--(James Whale v. Mike Newell). Whale was the greatly talented creative force behind such varied projects as Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Show Boat. Newell later directed Four Weddings And A Funeral, Enchanted April and Great Expectations (2012). Their ability to manage a large and complex film and bring out great work from the actors they directed is well established.
The Newell version of TMITIM is less well known than Whale's--which was the first sound presentation of the venerable classic. However, Newell's version is the first one in glorious color. Your pick!
Female Lead--(Joan Bennett as Maria Theresa v. Jenny Agutter as Louise). By this time, Bennett (a natural blond) had morphed into a Hedy Lamarr-type brunette clone. And like Lamarr, Bennett was not known to be a particularly gifted actress. On the other hand, Agutter (a natural blond) seemed to be the more accessible leading lady and created a more youthful appearing image than Bennett was capable of projecting. Agutter had already established herself as a desirable beautiful young woman (see e.g. Walkabout) and was most attractively costumed in her film. Bennett as the less animated of the two delivered a serviceable but otherwise undistinguished performance.
Fouquet--(Joseph Schildkraut v. Patrick McGoohan). These two actors had perhaps the most "meaty" role in each's respective film, and their veteran acting experience helped them to present a colorful somewhat eccentric over the top character who added dimension and interest when he was on camera--which was often. Both actors created a rather florid but quite believable villain.
D'Artagnan--(Warren William v. Louis Jourdan). William was one of the most busy leading men of the 1930s, and already had several significant such roles under his belt. See e.g. Cleopatra, Lady For A Day and Imitation Of Life. Jourdan was also established as a popular leading man in such vehicles as Letter From An Unknown Woman, Gigi and The Paradine Case. Each made a convincing D'Artagnan, with Jourdan the more animated of the two.
Colbert--(Walter Kingsford v. Ralph Richardson). Richardson was one of England's most prominent and gifted actors, and he conveyed gravity and dimension to every line he spoke. Kingsford was a relatively minor character actor who may be best known as the humane hospital administrator in the MGM Dr. Kildare series. Richardson's wit and humor are fully evident in his few brief but highly effective scenes.
Director--(James Whale v. Mike Newell). Whale was the greatly talented creative force behind such varied projects as Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Show Boat. Newell later directed Four Weddings And A Funeral, Enchanted April and Great Expectations (2012). Their ability to manage a large and complex film and bring out great work from the actors they directed is well established.
The Newell version of TMITIM is less well known than Whale's--which was the first sound presentation of the venerable classic. However, Newell's version is the first one in glorious color. Your pick!