The Man in the Iron Mask

"Free Him!"

Jul 13 1939 Approved 1h 53m
Adventure, History, Romance

Tyrannical King Louis XIV learns that he has an identical twin brother, Philippe, who was raised from birth by his late father's trusted friend D'Artagnan and his faithful musketeers, Porthos, Athos and Aramis. After Philippe falls for the king's betrothed, Spanish Princess Maria Theresa, Louis imprisons him, forcing his brother to don an iron mask that will slowly suffocate him -- and it's up to D'Artagnan to rescue him.

Plot

D'Artagnan and the musketeers are the only ones who know of the existence of a twin brother, and Fouquet uses his influence to keep everyone silenced. The main story was changed by portraying Louis XIV as selfish, cruel, and incompetent, and Philippe the kind-hearted brother who is raised by D'Artagnan and the musketeers and does not even know that he has an identical twin. When the truth is discovered, Louis XIV has Philippe imprisoned with the iron mask placed on him, hoping that Philippe's beard will grow inside the mask and eventually strangle him.

Written by

Alexandre Dumas, George Bruce

Directed by

James Whale

Cast

Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett, Warren William

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Edward Small Productions

Languages

Italiano, English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 nomination total

Scores
# of Votes
2,230
Average Rating
7 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA