The Man in the Iron Mask (1977) DVD Color Shown in original aspect ratio Approx. 101 min. Playable in North America (the US, Canada, Mexico, etc.) In English with optional subtitles / close captions
Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Jenny Agutter, Patrick McGoohan, Ralph Richardson, Louis Jourdan, Ian Holm and Hugh Fraser. Written by William Bast, based on “The Vicomte of Bragelonne” by Alexandre Dumas. Directed by Mike Newell
This is an epic retelling of the durable Alexandre Dumas's novel, set in 17th century French court. Philippe (Richard Chamberlain) is the firstborn and rightful king, who had been spirited away at birth and raised with no knowledge of his true identity in a plot by Cardinal Mazarin to manipulate Louis (also Richard Chamberlain) before his own death. Colbert (Ralph Richardson) and D'Artagnan (Louis Jourdan) plot to replace Louis - who is an ineffective king more interested in dancing and pleasure than the welfare of France - with Philippe, and in the process bring down the corrupt finance minister Fouquet (Patrick McGoohan), who has embezzled from the national treasury. Louis is repulsed by his own wife (Vivien Merchant) and makes repeated advances on Louise (Jenny Agutter), who is in turn repulsed by him yet falls in love with Philippe.
Although a made-for-TV movie, actual locations in France were used for filming, including the Château de Fontainebleau and Fouquet's actual chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte for the final ball scene.