Themes: Righting the Wronged, Assumed Identities, Crowned Heads
Main Cast: Beau Bridges, Rex Harrison, Sylvia Kristel, Ursula Andress, Beau Bridges, Cornel Wilde, Ian McShane, Lloyd Bridges
Release Year: 1977
Country: AT/UK
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
The story in this lavish cinemadaptation of Alexandre Dumas' The Man in the Iron Mask remains faithful to the original novel: the right heir to the throne of France is imprisoned in a dungeon by his evil twin brother, his identity kept secret with an uncomfortable iron mask. It's up to the aging D'Artagnan and his three Musketeer companions to set things aright. Though the action takes place in France, the film was rather obviously lensed in Austria, adding an exotic touch to the proceedings. Beau Bridges does double duty as the "right" and "wrong" King Louis, while Beau's dad Lloyd Bridges plays Aramis. Alan Hale Jr. essays the role of Porthos, just as he'd done in 1951's At Sword's Point; also carried over from the 1951 film is Cornel Wilde as D'Artagnan. Other seasoned veterans in the cast include Jose Ferrer (Athos), Ursula Andress (Mme. De la Valliere), Olivia DeHavilland (Queen Anne) and Rex Harrison (Colbert). The Fifth Musketeer was also released as Behind the Iron Mask. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Theo Harisch - Art Director, Tony Pueo - Costume Designer, David C. Anderson - First Assistant Director, Ken Annakin - Director, Malcolm Cooke - Editor, Heinz Lazek - Executive Producer, Riz Ortolani - Composer (Music Score), Elliot Scott - Production Designer, Jack Cardiff - Cinematographer, Ted Richmond - Producer, Simon Kaye - Sound/Sound Designer, Jim Willis - Sound/Sound Designer, David Ambrose - Screenwriter, George Bruce - Screenwriter, Alexandre Dumas - Book Author
