The 1977 version of The Man in the Iron Mask is a totally delightful romp in almost every way. But one must, however, make the attempt to appreciate this cinematic spectacle without assuming that Alexandre Dumas had anything to do with the plot. Dumas would be turning over in his grave with chagrin to see his hero D'Artagnan plotting against his king! It was Aramis, the oily churchman (who by this time has been elected General of the Jesuits), not Colbert, who fomented the conspiracy. Aramis persuaded the honest but simple Porthos to help in the plot, but D'Artagnan was the most loyal servant of the king, and could never be a part of any such plot.
The secret of the second twin was a very closely held secret, with the mother, Anne of Austria, and D'Artagnan about the only surviving persons to know of the second twin. Somehow Aramis got wind of the brother's existence and began conniving his conspiracy. But in this version of the story, "everyone and his brother" (literally) seems to know all about the plot to replace the king. I say "second twin" because, of course, Louis was the first born, not, as suggested in this version of the story, the second. In this version of the story, the king is effectively replaced by his brother Philippe, and the movie ends with the true king of France gnashing his teeth in prison, his face covered in the iron mask. In the story by Dumas, the true king is restored, by the aid of D'Artagnan and Athos, while Aramis slinks away in disgrace.
It is bad enough that American movies portray kings as slapstick comedy, figuratively stumbling around with their foot in a paint bucket, but to a loyal Frenchman (and Dumas was always a staunch royalist) it would be appalling to see Louis XIV of France hauled off to end his days in a dungeon so that a "more suitable" king could take his place. But - forget about Dumas! The creators of this tale have produced a highly entertaining story, full of plenty of color and amusing incident.
By the way, the silent version of 1929 with Douglas Fairbanks (The Iron Mask) is much more faithful to Dumas, and is an excellent production in every way.
The secret of the second twin was a very closely held secret, with the mother, Anne of Austria, and D'Artagnan about the only surviving persons to know of the second twin. Somehow Aramis got wind of the brother's existence and began conniving his conspiracy. But in this version of the story, "everyone and his brother" (literally) seems to know all about the plot to replace the king. I say "second twin" because, of course, Louis was the first born, not, as suggested in this version of the story, the second. In this version of the story, the king is effectively replaced by his brother Philippe, and the movie ends with the true king of France gnashing his teeth in prison, his face covered in the iron mask. In the story by Dumas, the true king is restored, by the aid of D'Artagnan and Athos, while Aramis slinks away in disgrace.
It is bad enough that American movies portray kings as slapstick comedy, figuratively stumbling around with their foot in a paint bucket, but to a loyal Frenchman (and Dumas was always a staunch royalist) it would be appalling to see Louis XIV of France hauled off to end his days in a dungeon so that a "more suitable" king could take his place. But - forget about Dumas! The creators of this tale have produced a highly entertaining story, full of plenty of color and amusing incident.
By the way, the silent version of 1929 with Douglas Fairbanks (The Iron Mask) is much more faithful to Dumas, and is an excellent production in every way.