Rating: - Fun and adventure for all!
I recently rented this tape from the local library, after seeing the 1998 version starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I was amazed that I actually enjoyed this one better. It is not so dark in tone, and I enjoy the scenery more. It has everything you would want in an adventure film: lots of swashbuckling, a villain, and a likeable hero. The acting is also superb, with great performances by Richard Chaimberlin and Louis Jordan. This is a fun adventure film that the entire family can enjoy. Do yourself a favor and get this!

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Rating: - Good, Sober Realization
I just like the story line. The ending emphasizes the "what goes around comes around" idea.

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Rating: - Excellent scripting, acting, and dialogue
In an age where action is becoming more important than story, this version of The Man in the Iron Mask has refreshingly excellent acting and dialogue.

Chamberlain did well in this movie in his dual role, and equally well the other TV movie he made at nearly the same time, The Count of Monte Cristo. Patrick McGoohan and Ralph Richardson could not have been more perfectly cast as the dishonest Fouquet and the scheming Colbert, respectively, and the acting all-around was superb.

The score was decent, but entirely forgettable. The action scenes will excite no one, as all fighting is done with obviously plastic swords, and very little dramatic dying goes on. Most of the action and fencing goes on in court, which the ensemble cast (thank God) proved fully capable of doing.

And that, of course, is where this film really shines: at the court of Louis XIV. The pomp and cruel subtleties are conveyed very well, and the unattentive viewer will probably miss a lot. The royal 'we' is employed unselfconsciously by Newell, whereas the latest adaption seems hesitant to use such a little-known speech mannerism with the "uneducated" public. In one particularly well-done scene, Fouquet reveals to Louis that his brother, Philippe, is still alive. While initially respectful to the King, Fouquet asserts his power over Philippe, and thus over Louis, culminating in sitting down while Louis remains standing, normally something that Louis might be fickle enough to execute someone for.

If you want great acting and story rather than great action, this movie comes highly recommended.

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Rating: - Great Story, Scenery And Acting,
I didn't read the book yet. So I can't say how this movie compares to the book. I felt the Dicaprio version was fairly good. But I honestly prefer this version. This movie is not exactly Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" or Peter O Toole's "The Lion In the Winter." But it is a wonderful classic to be enjoyed and treasured. The scenery and outfits are both beautiful; but the images in this movie are fairly nice. The actors carry out their roles with great life and dignity. Chamberlain does well at portraying both the tyrant and suffering innocent. McGoohan is excellent as the king's effective servant. (Despite his evil nature, he does carry a charm, and at times it is easy to like him.) The humiliated wife of Louis XIV portrays her sorrow and frustrations well. In Mel Gibson's "Hamlet," Ian Holm portrayed the bumbling not so intelligent Polonius. But in this movie, he shows that he can also portray a shrewd, capable, and intelligent plotter. This movie is proof that action has it's place, but it is the script writing and acting that make the movie. Although there is not much action, the story is never boring. Even comical moments are well placed here and there. For those of you reading this, it may interest you to know that in reality, the mask was soft velvet; he lived in lush accomodations; he was very well treated and given anything he asked for; his guards were even known for being very respectful to him. To top it off, scholars are undecided as to whether the velvet masked man was of royal blood. Some actually think he was a playright! But if we are willing to forget historical reality, this movie is a timeless classic. ...

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Rating: - A really good movie
I've never read the book, so this movie seemed really good to me. I don't know if it's accurate to the book or not, but I liked what I saw. Richard Chamberlain did a wonderful job, along with Patrick McGoohan as the evil Rouquet. It's very exciting and at the climax of the movie when the true king must be chosen, it's very nerve-racking. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes historical fiction and excitement. This was a great movie.