I had never read Dumas' novel, or made it through any filmed versions before, so only had the vaguest notion of what the story was about. What a sumptuous production it is. The scenes of the Sun Kings' soirées at his châteaux were splendidly staged and, one can only hope, historically accurate. Could he really have been so rude to his wife in public? It was so outrageous that 'you couldn't make it up'! So it must be true! The main attraction was of course McGoohan and he did not disappoint. I knew things were going to be good when he made no attempt at one of those dodgy accents he is prone to. His clipped, calculating tones were brilliant as the scheming Fouquet. For me, the first half of the production was by far superior. The scene between Richard Chamberlain and McGoohan in the coach was superb and only topped by the sequence of Chamberlain being fitted with his mask as McGoohan regards him like a cat does, its victimised mouse.

I'm probably wrong but I also felt McGoohan must have had a hand in the terrific sequence of Chamberlain thrashing about in his cell, trying to reason why he was being picked on. The anguish of his Kafkaesque imprisonment was superbly executed and that shot of the departing boat through the squares of the barred window…..I expected to see McGoohan's stern face approaching at light speed with a clanging crash at any second!

Lew Grade and Patrick McGoohan – funny how good they were together. It would be nice to think they did meet during the course of the filming process, even if Mr. McGoohan had to get out of bed at 5am to get to Lord Grade's office in time for his 6am appointment!

This is an epic retelling about the durable Alexandre Dumas's novel and is set in 17th century French court where appears two twins brothers (Richard Chamberlain playing a double role) , separated at birth , one nasty become in Louis XIV of France married to Mª Teresa of Spain (Vivien Merchant) and the other Phillippe who is unjustly imprisoned in the Bastilla . Both of whom are sons of the Queen mother , Anna of Austria (Brenda Bruce) . Later on , Phillippe is jailed in an island and hidden his identity wearing an iron mask but his existence threatens the reigning . But D'Artagnan (Louis Jourdan) and the Prime Minister named Colbert (Ralph Richardson) scheme a plan to free Phillippe clashing against a malicious Fouquet (Patrick McGooham) , the Louis XIV's favorite.

It's an excellent rendition from the immortal novel with quite budget , though is made for television . The picture contains rousing action , intrigue , exciting swordplay , romantic adventure , mayhem and results to be pretty entertaining . Marvelous casting with a magnificent Richard Chamberlain as a suffering inmate turning valiant swashbuckler and a selfish King . He gives a charming acting and manages to use his fists , swords and to do some acrobatics . Exceptional cinematography by the classic cameraman Freddie Young who has a distinguished and long career crowned with three Oscars for David Lean's films . Spectacular and evocative musical score by Allyn Ferguson . Lush production design by John Stoll is well reflected on the luxurious interiors and exteriors filmed in England and French palaces (Fointeneblau , Versalles , among others) . The motion picture was well realized by Mike Newell .

This classy story is previous and subsequently remade in several versions , firstly is shot with Douglas Fairbanks (mute rendition , 1929) and the first sound (1939) retelling was made by James Whale with Louis Hayward and Joan Bennet . A French adaptation (1962) by Henry Decoin with Jean Marais , Jean Rochefort , Claudina Auger , Sylva Koscina . A 1998 recounting by William Richert with Edward Albert , Dana Barron , Timothy Bottoms , Meg Foster , James Gammon . And finally in 1998 , the most recent and lavish adaptation of the classic story by Randall Wallace with Leonardo DiCaprio , Jeremy Irons , Gerard Depardieu , John Malkovich . This is the better adaptation for TV of the classy and will appeal to the costume genre fans

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