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Man in the Iron Mask' (1998)

post #1 of 17
4/29/10 at 12:00pm
Thread Starter 
Inspired by the last stand thread I wanted to talk about this film.

It's deeply flawed but I still love it, I think in part it's saved by two things.

1. The last charge of the Musketeers, they should have been cut to shreds but none of the solders can bring themselves to fire on their heroes. You get a real sense of how big a legend they have become. It should be cheesy but for me works really well.

2. One line, "All my life, all I ever wanted to be, was him!" The captain of the guards really sells how much his mentor meant to him in those few short words and for me it saves the film.

As I said before its deeply flawed and could have been so much better but Byrne, Malkovich, DiCaprio and Irons really bring some meat to their respective rolls.

Hate me if you want but I love it.
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post #2 of 17
4/29/10 at 12:07pm
Damn, Ken. You pretty much nailed it, even down to hitting the best line from the film.

I really wanted to see a THREE MUSKETEERS sequel with Irons, Malkovich, and Depardieu. They looked like they were having an absolute gas.
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post #3 of 17
4/29/10 at 12:13pm
Best bored Malkovich performance ever. It's the ultimate in couldn't-give-a-fuckery. Love Depardieu in this, though.
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post #4 of 17
4/29/10 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
Another great delivery is Irons admitting he is the leader of the Jesuits, it's so matter of fact you almost miss it.
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post #5 of 17
4/29/10 at 12:26pm
I love how there's absolutely no attempt to explain or even acknowledge that the Musketeers all have different accents.
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post #6 of 17
4/29/10 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
I'm not sure there needs to be, another film I watched recently (The Forth Protocal) does exaclty the same thing, you even have Ned Betty playing a Russian in that one.

I actually think it makes a film worse when everybody attempt a bad accent.
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post #7 of 17
4/29/10 at 2:12pm
I thought everyone was very well cast in this, BUT Dicaprio. I don't think he grew into his own skin as a believable leading man just yet. And that period wig makes him look even more like a girl.

Peter Sarsgaard as Malkovich's son? INSPIRED.

Personally, COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO was more memorable.
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post #8 of 17
4/30/10 at 4:23am
Monte Cristo is way better. This should have worked better. Anne Parillaud is pretty hot in it though.
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post #9 of 17
4/30/10 at 5:20am
I seem to remember Gabriel Byrne being pretty awesome in this, and looking forward to more leading man roles for him. Oh well...

And the two points you pick up on Ken (he last charge & "All my life, all I ever wanted to be, was him!") are by far the best parts that don't involve a drunken Depardieu
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post #10 of 17
4/30/10 at 5:25am
Thread Starter 
Byrne actually has some great moments as well, the scene with him facing off against the angry mob is pretty awesome, it nicley shows how much of a legend he is.

Actually thinking about it this film is a straight up love letter to the legend of the Musketeers.
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post #11 of 17
4/30/10 at 5:51am
Evil DiCaprio is pure cardboard. I enjoyed Tim Curry's Cardinal from the brat pack Musketeers more.
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post #12 of 17
5/2/10 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Daywalker View Post
I enjoyed Tim Curry's Cardinal from the brat pack Musketeers more.
Because he just ab-whoooooores violence? (BIG SHITEATING GRIN)

I saw this once on a flight to Korea. I found it laregly forgettable, but I found the last stand in the movie to be thrilling AND kinda hilarious. Particularly the line, "Magnificent valor!" I should give it another go.

The Brat Pack Musketeers is the one I grew up with on Fox: Night at the Movies. That and Speed.
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post #13 of 17
5/2/10 at 9:30pm
Yeah, despite the brilliant older talent involved in this I just can't stand it.

I've always preferred either the old York-Reed-Heston-Chamberlain '73 version or even the Brat Pack redo from the 90's as well - I'm really rather keen on that thanks to Platt's greatness Curry's scene stealing and even Sutherland and Sheen being together again. Iron Mask always fell terribly flat for me, first because I find Leo to be god-awful and stunningly miscast and secondly because I kinda hate Randall Wallaces ridiculously bombastic and shitty writing and direction.
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post #14 of 17
5/3/10 at 6:18am
Thread Starter 
I would in no way suggest this film is as good as the 70's version but I do think dispite it's flaws it has some merrits.
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post #15 of 17
5/3/10 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Savage View Post
I would in no way suggest this film is as good as the 70's version but I do think dispite it's flaws it has some merrits.
It has four in fact. Their names are John, Jeremy, Gabriel and Gerard. It's just a shame their trapped in such an epic piece of shit.
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post #16 of 17
5/19/10 at 5:18am
I echo the sentiment that I could give two craps about the A storyline and all the quality stuff was with the older crowd in the background. I want to see the 'prequel' with Malkovich, Irons, Byrne and Depardieu. Throw in Anne Parillaud. Good times, methinks.
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post #17 of 17
5/21/10 at 3:47am
Funny side story to this movie Malkovich was on Conan O'Brien and O'Brien said " You play the pissed off Musketeer in this movie! " to which Malkovich says " My son is betrayed by the King and dies in battle one tends to get pissed off when this happens. " heh heh.

Always thought that was funny.
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