The movie starts out in black with only the calm, charasmatic
voice of Jeremy Irons telling us that the story is part fiction/part reality and that, when the Bastille was taken a brief note was found.
"Prisoner number 64389000: The man in the Iron Mask" and the first image seen is that of a dark prison celle in which a prisoner with his entire face hidden behind a massive iron mask knocks his head against the bars.
This makes you feel almost uncomfortable and you begin feeling curiosity nagging you, and you know it won't stop until it's revealed who this unfortunate man is.
The main charachters in this story are: The 3 musketeers, D'Artagnan and their king, Louis XIV.
It's been some time, their period of greatness is over and France has a new king.
The musketeers have all found new, more peaceful things to spend their lives on, Aramis has dedicated his time to God, Athos(John Malkovich) lives and breathes for his son, Raul and dreams of his getting to be a musketeer like he was himself.
He experiences the joys of life through his son, and his new love, Christine. When his son is killed in battle Athos swears to avenge his death by getting rid of the new king who sent his son to the front.
Porthos is immensely bored because he misses being a musketeer and the action which came with it, so he has dedicated his time to living life to its fullest and he spends all his time eating and making love to beautiful women. After several frustrating periods and a number of failed suicide attempts, he is revived by the thought of new, great times.
D'Artagnan is the only one still in the king's service and he's the only one who still believes in the vow of serving a good king. He doesn't want to let down the king, but Louis XIV is an arrogant bastard who brings only poverty and hunger to the people of France. His only interest seems to be conquests, not only of countries and kingdoms, but also a multitude of women.
This is what seals his destiny.
As musketeers the men have to take action, and the 3 musketeers are together again, D'Artagnan refuses to go against the king.
Athos, Porthos and Aramis' plan is to free the man in the iron mask, and put him in the place of Louis. This has to be acomplished in only 14 days because at that time Louis will be hosting a costume ball, and that is the perfect time for the switch. This means that they have 14 days to create a new king, and this turns out to be a lot more complicated than they thought it would be.
This is a movie about honor, friendship and courage, "one for all, and all for one" is still the musketeers' motto and all deeds are carried out with a seriousness and maturity which adds a lot of authenticity to the plot and events.
But this certainly doesn't mean that the movie is humourless, no not at all.
Gerard Depardieu gives us a lot of laughs with his incredible interpretation of Porthos and his state of mind.
The other roles are cast equally well. The charismatic calmness of Jeremy Irons gives Aramis tranquility and depth, the charachteristic wildness and passion of John Malkovich gives us an amazing interpretation of Athos, and the mix of vulnerability and strength in Gabriel Byrne makes D'Artagnan the greatest gentleman of them all. Leonardo DiCaprio is magnificent as both villain and hero.
In my opinion this is the greatest musketeer movie ever, and it's not even a real one!
I feel that this film is one of Malkovich's best ever, because of the way his feelings are used to their fullest in every situation. I love the fact that the feelings are so visible in Malkovich's eyes, and his body sends out the proper signals to emphasize his words.
A piece of conversation from the movie, The Man in the Iron Mask:
(People involved in this scene are: Athos(John Malkovich),
D'Artagnan(Gabriel Byrne) and Raul(?))
Scenario: D'Artagnan has come to visit Athos, to let him know that
Louis XIV(Leonardo DiCaprio) is sending Raul, Athos' son, to the front
again to have his girlfriend, Christine(Judith Godreche). D'Artagnan
doesn't manage to convey this piece of news before Raul comes
into the room and looks all broken hearted and angry.
Athos: (Is playing his violin.Surprised) D'Artagnan?!
D'Artagnan: (Smiling) You have improved...
Athos: (Happy) It's been so long!
D'Artagnan: So it has, my friend.
Athos: (Happier) What's the occasion?
D'Artagnan: (Sighing) As you said my friend, it's been too long.
Athos: And when the great D'Artagnan visits, he must be offered
the best wine.
D'Artagnan: (Laughing) And if the great Athos offers, the great
D'Artagnan must drink. I eh..am sorry I haven't been to see you lately.
Athos: Head of the King's bodyguards. That must keep you busy.
Especially with this King.
D'Artagnan: Dear boy, I should have come to see you more often.
Athos: I long to the past. When uniforms were black and grown
men wore them.
D'Artagnan: At least this gives you more time to practise your
violin.(laughs)
Athos: But I don't feel sorry for myself. My son is grown,
he's proposed to a wonderful girl, he's joined the
Musketeers. All the errors of my life are made right
in him. And now for the life I've always wished for
him, he's leaving my home.
D'Artagnan: Athos, there's something......
Athos: Ah! Out celebrating all night, Raul?
Look who's come to visit.
What's the matter?
Raul: I'm not going to make her a widow just as soon as
I make her a wife.
I've been recalled for my regiment.
Athos: (Angry. Not understanding the situation)But that
makes no sense. You've already served at the front.
Has there been some disaster? Has everyone else
been recalled?
Raul: I believe the king's eye has fallen on Christine
D'Artagnan: It's true. The king has noticed her, but I don't
think it has anything to do with...
Athos: (interrupts) It has everything to do with it.
The king is a dog.
D'Artagnan: Athos....
Athos: A dog and a coward.
Raul: And I am neither. And so I go.
Athos: (begs) NO!
D'Artagnan, does the king have trouble finding women?
Does he have trouble filling his bed? I served
his father and until I retired, I served him.
And now to seduce a woman who will mean nothing to
him once he's had her, he would put my sons life in
danger?
You knew this was happening. You knew! And that's
why you came!
D'Artagnan: I knew your temper.
Athos: You came to restrain me?
D'Artagnan: I came to bring you hope!
I will speak to the king personally. I have not
yet lost faith that he might becomne the king we've
always hoped he would be.
Athos: You don't know what it's like to have a son. To have
kissed his hair and have smelled his breath while he
slept. To have watched him grow.
D'Artagnan: Fatherhood is a blessing I cannot imagine.
Athos: Listen, I have never known a finer man than you
nor cared more for a friend, but if this king harms
my son merely to take a lover, then this king will
become my enemy and so will any man that stands
between that enemy and me.
D'Artagnan: Then I must hurry. For I treasure your son as I
treasure you.
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