History Film / TheManInTheIronMask1939

''The Man in the Iron Mask'' is a {{swashbuckler}} film that was released by Creator/UnitedArtists in 1939. It is based loosely on Creator/AlexandreDumas' novel ''Literature/TheVicomteDeBragelonne'', using its characters -- Louis, Philippe, D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Nicolas Fouquet, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louise de La Valliere -- and allusion to the ManInTheIronMask legend but for a very different storyline. Nevertheless, later adaptations would use the tropes of this production more than the novel: Louis the villain and Philippe the hero, the Musketeers getting a heroic sendoff, etc. Produced by Edward Small and directed by Creator/JamesWhale (with a screenplay by George Bruce), the film stars Louis Hayward (in the dual role of the twin brothers), Joseph Schildkraut, Creator/JoanBennett, Walter Kingsford, and Warren Williams, Bert Roach, Alan Hale Sr., and Miles Mander as the Four Musketeers.

TheManInTheIronMask is a Swashbuckler film that was released by Creator/UnitedArtists in 1939. It is based loosely on Creator/AlexandreDumas' novel Literature/TheVicomteDeBragelonne, using its characters- Louis, Philippe, D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Nicolas Fouquet, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louise de La Valliere- and its use of the ManInTheIronMask legend but for a very different storyline. Nevertheless, later adaptations would use the tropes of this production more than the novel: Louis the villain & Philippe the hero, the Musketeers getting a heroic send off, etc. Produced by Edward Small and Directed by James Whale (with a Screenplay by George Bruce). Starring Louis Hayward (in the dual role of the twin brothers), Joseph Schildkraut, Joan Bennett, Walter Kingsford, and Warren Williams, Bert Roach, Alan Hale Sr., & Miles Mander as the Four Musketeers.

George Bruce’s adaptation would be later remade into ''The Fifth Musketeer'', a German-Austrian film released by Creator/ColumbiaPictures in 1979. It was Directed by Ken Annakin and Starred Beau Bridges (as the twin brothers), Sylvia Kristel, Ursula Andress, Rex Harrison, Ian McShane, Olivia de Havilland, and Cornel Wilde, Jose Ferrer, Alan Hale Jr., & Lloyd Bridges as the Four Musketeers.

* WheresMyGun: A group of soldiers infiltrate the Musketeers’ kitchen. Their swords are unfortunately out of reach, blocked by the enemy. Fortunately averted by Philippe jumping toward the supply and throwing them to his friends.

* {{Synchronization}}: Louis, learning Philippe is his brother (and rival to his throne), demands his death. The Queen Mother warns him of the spiritual link that twins share. Harming Philippe will bring harm to himself as well.

* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: On learning the truth, Louis initially refuses to kill his twin. The 1939 version has him reluctant to harm a person who has his face. The 1979 version is warned by the Queen Mother about the link she shares with Philippe: harm to one will bring pain to the other.

* DeathByAdaptation: Madame de La Valliere.

** The 1939 version has Philippe and the Musketeers Vs Louis, Fouquet, and their men.

TheManInTheIronMask is a Swashbuckler film that was released by Creator/UnitedArtists in 1939. It is based loosely on Creator/AlexandreDumas' novel Literature/TheVicomteDeBragelonne, using its characters- Louis, Philippe, D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Nicolas Fouquet, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louise de La Valliere- and its use of the ManInTheIronMask legend but for a very different storyline. Nevertheless, later adaptations would use the tropes of this production more than the novel: Louis the villain & Philippe the hero, the Musketeers getting a heroic send off, etc. Produced by Edward Small and Directed by James Whale. Starring Louis Hayward (in the dual role of the twin brothers), Joseph Schildkraut, Joan Bennett, Walter Kingsford, and Warren Williams, Bert Roach, Alan Hale Sr., & Miles Mander as the Four Musketeers.

The film's particular storyline would be remade later into ''The Fifth Musketeer'', a German-Austrian film released by Creator/ColumbiaPictures in 1979. It was Directed by Ken Annakin and Starred Beau Bridges (as the twin brothers), Sylvia Kristel, Ursula Andress, Rex Harrison, Ian McShane, Olivia de Havilland, and Cornel Wilde, Jose Ferrer, Alan Hale Jr., & Lloyd Bridges as the Four Musketeers.

* PreferableImpostor: Maria Theresa falls for Philippe. She’s all for replacing the hated Louis for him.

* DistinguishingMark: Posing as Louis XIV, Philippe is able to prove himself to the Musketeers by a fencing scar D’Artagnan gave him.

* FaintInShock: Philippe in the Iron Mask casts his eyes on Louis XIV. The shock of the man’s resemblance to himself causes this trope.

* LovingAShadow: Zig Zagged. Maria Theresa will judge if Louis XIV is the right husband, Alliance or no. She meets “Louis” (Philippe) and falls for him. Then she meets the real Louis and is disappointed. Then she meets Philippe and learns the truth and has her love resurface.
* MakeItLookLikeAnAccident: When Maria Theresa runs away, Louis question then kills the Spanish Ambassador by locking him in a stable with a wild horse. Later, Louise de La Valliere tells the returned Maria her Ambassador was killed in a riding accident. Maria doubts this, knowing the man suffered from Equinophobia- fear of horses. She knows it was murder.

* TheReveal: The 1939 version begins with the birth of the twin brothers and the necessary action toward the second child. This film begins when the brothers are adults, with their discovery of their relationship happening in the middle of the film. Here it is two scenes: In hiding, the Musketeers tell Philippe the truth. At the palace, Fouquet has the Queen Mother tell Louis.

* WeddingSmashers: The Wedding of Philippe (as Louis XIV) and Marie Theresa of Spain is temporarily interrupted. By Fouquet in the 1939 version, and Porthos in the 1979 version.

Twenty years pass. Philippe, the son spirited away, has grown into a good, heroic figure thanks to D'Artagnan and his Musketeer friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Meanwhile, the son left to Royalty grows up to be King Louis XIV, a spoiled, cruel tyrant who makes the populace suffer under taxes and punishments. Fouquet, his self-seeking Minister of Finance, has Philippe and the Musketeers arrested and taken to the capital to be imprisoned. Certain situations force Louis and Fouquet to use Philippe to masquerade as the King. For the protection of his imprisoned father-figures, Philippe complies. This includes evading assassination attempts by the persecuted people, spending time with (and falling for) Louis' future bride Maria Theresa of Spain. Once the truth about Phiippe's birthright comes out, Louis decides to indefinitely imprison his twin brother, locking his features away in an Iron Mask, to be worn forever.