The Man in the Iron Mask

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Man in the Iron Mask Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Slow-moving swashbuckler is better for teens and up.

PG-13 1998 132 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 7 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 15 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Three Musketeers adventure film based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas includes some fairly overt sexual references (but little nudity) and violence (but little blood). The womanizing, revenge-driven Musketeers themselves are a mixed bag when it comes to role models, but ultimately the movie does advocate teamwork and honesty. Although the slow-moving story not hold teens' interest, fans of Leonardo DiCaprio may be curious to see the baby-faced heartthrob playing dual roles, both good and evil. Parents can take the opportunity to introduce kids to Dumas' books and some of the Musketeer stories that came before this one.

Community Reviews

ClaireA71
ClaireA71 Adult
May 21, 2020
age 14+

Didn’t get past the first 2 mins not suitable for kids

The opening lines of this film are about sucking on a ladies nipple. How it’s a 12 based on that alone I will never know. Just warning others.

This title has:

Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
Jnpearce
Jnpearce Adult
January 6, 2020
age 15+

A little more innuendo than expected

It is a good movie with drama, action and a great storyline. However, I was not expecting so many sex scenes or sexual innuendo. The king is openly having “mistresses” and shown in bed with one. He also seduces a woman and takes her to bed. It does show more than I was comfortable with for my 13-year-old. Later in the movie, one of the musketeers is scene in a threesome rolling in the hay and he’s naked. In the end, it is discovered that the queen was having an affair that resulted in children, passed off as her husband’s own. Too many sexual themes for our household at this age.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Decades after the heyday of the Three Musketeers, the heroes have parted ways. Athos (John Malkovich) has raised a son, Raoul, to become a Musketeer himself; Artemis (Jeremy Irons) is a priest; Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) passes the time womanizing and drinking; and their old pal D'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne) serves the cruel, selfish young King Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio) ... and is secretly in love with the queen (Anne Parillaud). The king's fearsome rule has caused his subjects to riot -- so Artemis reunites the Musketeers to carry about a dangerous plan involving the mysterious prisoner known as the "man in the iron mask,." If they're successful, they could save the entire kingdom.

Is It Any Good?

It's great fun to see the aging Musketeers in action, and actors Irons, Depardieu, and Malkovich share a wonderful chemistry. But the movie never really focuses on them, and despite their strong charisma, they mostly emerge as supporting characters. The main draw is Leonardo DiCaprio, playing dual roles in his first film after Titanic.

Unfortunately, the younger viewers who want to see him will be disappointed by the movie's slow pace. Director Randall Wallace made his directorial debut here after writing Braveheart, and -- as with all of his other films (We Were Soldiers) -- THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK has a sense of dutiful propriety; it's like Wallace doesn't know how to have fun. The Man in the Iron Mask needed more of a jaunty twinkle, more wolfish grins, less thinking and more doing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the film's violence? How did it affect you? Is it exciting? Is it gory?

  • The king uses his power to order women to his bedchambers, while Porthos wins them over with his exuberant attitude. How does the movie depict sex overall? Is there an example of a good relationship in the movie?

  • When Philippe is released from prison, he shows no interest in vengeance. Is this the right thing to do? Is his behavior rewarded?

  • Is it better to rule through fear or kindness? Why?

Movie Details

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