I used a service similar to incogni (may have been incogni I forget), yes these types of service contact companies that hold your details. What they don't tell you is those companies then email you asking for more details so they can delete your details and won't do it unless you provide them... My inbox was spammed hard and you end up having to do the work yourself. I wonder if any incogni users could comment on their experience.
My favorite memory of this movie is standing in line at some fast food place and listening to a dude in front of me complain to his friend about how he waited the whole movie for the mask to have powers and it never happened. Something like "Man, that mask didn't do nothin'. It was just some old-time movie!"
Hehe I always loved the accents in this movie full of Frenchmen. DiCaprio doing an American accent, Depardieu doing a French accent, Irons with an English accent and Malkovich doing a Malkovich accent.
You could always look at that as French regional accents, though since these aristocrats all probably come from the same place, it probably doesn't work.
Aramis was a priest in the books, too. Like 80% or more of his entire character is the tension between him being a priest and him being a swashbuckler.
@@vpapako The books are truly great, and everybody should read them. They are much raunchier than any of the films; they are also much more convoluted and complex. In the first book of the series, The Three Musketeers, all four heroes are on the same side. In the second book, Twenty Years After, it is D'Artagnan and Porthos who work together against the rebels (la Fronde), two of who are their old friends Athos and Aramis. In the third book, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, all four are old, and it is D'Artagnan and Athos who are against Porthos and Aramis. By the end of this third book (the final part of which is The Man in the Iron Mask) three are dead, and only one survives (and it's not whom you think).
That's my only problem with the new French version where Rómáin Duris plays Aramis. I feel like he insisted that Aramis had to be sexy. He's tormented by his relationship with God, but he also fucks women and tortures people for fun and profit.
My favorite portrayal of these characters will always be from the two films in the 70's. Michael York as D'Artagnan, Oliver Reed as Athos, Richard Chamberlain as Aramis, and Frank Finlay as Porthos. They eventually come back together to do The Return of the Musketeers, based on Twenty Years After.
I've heard that the man in the iron mask was actually just a common prisoner and that his guard (Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars) asked him to wear the mask so that it would make him look like he was in charge of a very important prisoner
morning peasent think most are we last centery europeans rather as house is an american show and why he recognized as that before blackadder of old...@@nunyabidness674
I think the movie's ending is a paralell universe where the twin DOES get on the throne and does all that stuff. But because that's another universe, we're in the one where Louis wins and parties until he dies
I've LOVED this movie ever since I was a kid, not necessarily for historical reasons but because I just really enjoyed it, haven't seen it in YEARS, this is a completely unexpected nostalgia hit and I can't thank you enough for it Mr Hodges!
Funniest thing about this movie was casting a teen heart throb.. And putting a mask on him hahaha Though it's not completely fair to blame only the king, like Russia the church was absolutely leeching society to death with their greed
There is a 3 Musketeers movie from the 1970’s where the guy who played the Skipper on Gillian’s Island played Porthos. Apparently his Dad had played Porthos in a black and white movie and it was a life long aspiration of him to follow in his footsteps. I don’t know who his agent was but they must have been incredible to get him that role after he was typecast as the Skipper.
@@earlleeruhf3130 Wasn’t Alan Hale Jr. also in Man In The Wilderness which was the same story as The Revenant? It’s so weird to see hem as anything but the Skipper.
One thing that’s usually left out of the basic analysis of Louis boy’s life is that the pomp and parties weren’t just their for his enjoyment. Nobles would have to spend lavishly, many impoverishing themselves in the process, and travel to Versailles instead of Paris surrounded by the kings men to garner favor with the king. Louis spent his childhood threatened by his nobles and he built a way to keep them dependent and incapable of rebellion. But great solutions have a nasty way of backfiring from time to time.
@@nathanb5579 not sure if this is a serious question or not but I’ll answer it anyway. His solutions crippled the government’s flexibility to the point that making moves that would prevent the revolution would topple the pillars the crown rested on.
Yes he was a nasty piece of work. There are no toilets on the ground floor, so the place stank especially during summer. Louis had an enlarged bladder, so could hold it in for a long time. No nobles were allowed to relieve themselves in his presence, which I guess added to the palace festivities. He spent almost all his wealth on wars, including the War of the Spanish Succession, so that by the time his grandson - Louis XVI came to finance support for the Americans, he had to borrow heavily, and bankrupted France, which caused the French Revolution. Butterfly effect.
@@pendlera2959 yes they did for private use, go look at Versailles, and search for a 17th century WC. Good luck with that - there ain't any. Charles Windsor has a fantastic collection of them, including one with Hitler's face in it. The chamber pots were in bedrooms, not the formal areas.
I love this movie. It's about as historically accurate as Bill and Ted movies, but it has good action, great characters and the ending always brings a tear to the eye.
I weirdly like that everyone just spoke in their own accent. It adds to the fantasy aspect. I actually admire the movie more, knowing the true history behind it.
It was, as is with all, fiction. The history of France during the Middle ages is above, all; up to interpretation. So many details. So many characters; most of whom were perceived by authority. The truth is in there... Somewhere.
There was this TV show on bbc 2 hosted by Jean Paul gaultier and another French man. They highlighted the kinky stuff the europeans were up to. It was called eurotrash. People from Belgium talking about bestiality in a broad Newcastle accent.
He’s awful. The best early film by Jennifer de Cuppochino is What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Dreadful performances by Jeremy Irons His Shirts and John Monkey Nuts
When he was playing the king I hated him, when he was playing the twin brother I liked him. I figured, at that point, that he must be a pretty good actor.
This was my grandma's favorite movie, she passed a little while ago and watching this brought fourth a flood bittersweet memories. Not your intention but thank you
Not a historical gripe, but it was always problematic that D'Artagnan defended the tyrant Louis purely because he was his son. Once he finds out he has a spare, a more moral spare, he turns on his tyrranical son. That and he doesn't turn on Louis because of the countless wrongs the king's committed against his own people and D'Artagnan's friends, but the wrongs Louis committed against D'Artagnan's other son.
@@pritammitra1605D'Artagnan turns on his own son, Louis, to help Athos' adopted son, Phillipe, who is D'Artagnan's other son, but not because Louis murdered Athos' biological son, Raoul, so Louis could take Raoul's fiance, Christine, as a concubine.
From what I've heard the only inaccuracy would be the sailors daring to throw an oily rag at the journalist on board (who held the rank of an officer).
@@slowerthinker The movie takes place during U-96's 7th deployment. It's fairly accurate. However, U-96 didn't sink after returning to port. She would go on and complete another 4 deployments. By 1943, she was being used as a training vessel before being decommissioned in 1945. She would be sunk in an air raid a few weeks later.
@@balabanasireti yeah ! That scene where his top generals start stuttering " Mein Fuhrer...." and Hitler goes " nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein!" is hopefully true😄 an epic meme
Can't you renounce an oath? Oh no I sense a 3 hour Google rabbit hole coming my way as I try to answer that & it turns out to be One Of Those Questions --- the "sounds easy; not easy" ones.
I watched this when I was halfway through college. So I was familiar with the history of France at that point. I knew this movie was mostly bullsh!t, but I still love it, because it's a great work of historical fiction, done well on the movie screen. That's really all I can ask for.
Dumas father was imprisoned by napoleon out of sheer Jealousy. I think this story of his dad was the basis of “the man in the Iron mask” which also influenced “the count of montecristo” as his dad was know to be “the” greatest swords man.
All we need now is for Dom Noble to do a Lost in Adaptation on The Vicomte of Bragalonne vs The Man in The Iron Mask as a counterpoint. Because this film is both ahistorical and very different from the book! (Especially as it's just the last third of it!) And yet I remain fond if it. If treated as its own thing, it's pretty good!
The "Philip as King Louis XIV brought peace and prosperity" part never bothered me because I like the interpretation of this movie as an Alternative History where Louis XIV is replaced before he can fully cause the damage history remembers him for, thus averting many tragedies. Eddit: Fixed mistake.
I'm pretty sure he's remembered for being the imbodyment of absolute monarchy. I've never seen peoples first thought of him being any damage he may have done.
To be honest the age was crazy and full of wars and abherrent waist of lives. Every country in Europe took part in it, my guess is that the worst harm Louis XIV did to France was his court intregues and constant politicking that stood in the way of efficient armies leadership, and of course his terrible social management.
Great video as always, thank you very much. I'm french and Alexandre Dumas is one of my all time favourite authors, ever since I'd learned how to read I literally devoured his books! My grandmother had the complete collection (and believe me that's A LOT of books!) and I can remember being 7 or 8 and always carrying with me one of these big red volumes, and reading it on every occasion I could find, even in holidays on the beach! His books were actually the root of my passion, still to this day, for literature and History. 😊
I would like to meet you sometime, One of my favorite novels when I was in primary school was The Three Musketeers, while I've had an interest in history since I was much younger.
I believe the ending was always meant to be this is an alternate history. Because real history the man in the Iron Mass died in the Bastille. So we got the bad Louis XIV.
I remember seeing this in theaters when I was 10 years old and I absolutely loved it. 1998 was jammed pack with great period piece films like Saving Private Ryan, Titanic, Man in the Iron Mask, The Mask of Zorro, and L.A. Confidential. I'm still mad that Shakespeare in Love took home Best Picture over Saving Private Ryan at the Oscars.
I really loved this movie. Here is a suggestion if you also love this movie. Pair it up with the 1993 Disney The Three Musketeers. I know they have different actors and were from a different production company. However, the two really seem to flow together.
@@DIEGhostfish There is, but the '73 and '74 films adhere closer to the events of source novel, whereas the '93 version is closer to the fast and loose nature of this film.
Excellent choice, Nick! One of my favourite movies of all time despite several warts (John Malkovich's jarring American accent being the worst of these) and while it plays fast and loose with historical facts, it is rich in historical detail, even little things like what happens when you charge a Martello head-on. (You die like Raoul) The scenes in the palace are fantastic, Leonardo DiCaprio is a perfectly arrogant Sun King, Porthos made me a fan of Gerard Depardieu and I can never see anyone else but him when I imagine the character. Thanks for covering it, I hope this video inspires a new generation to enjoy this fantastic movie.
This was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid in the 90s. It is simply a good story- but what made this movie for me is the beautiful music composed by Nick Glennie-Smith. The music reminded me of the beautiful Golden Age of hollywood music with a late Baroque/Enlightenment period flair. Kind of like Max Steiner's music (Gone with the Wind, Little Women, Casablanca, and much, much more). The beautiful scenery in this film made me want to travel to France, which I do every few years.
@@glennross85 Dude, they were the original musketeers. They were called musketeers because they were the only troops equipped with muskets. That's like calling them marines but them never going to sea. Anyway, it's not a big deal, just something I found interesting so I made a comment.
They used muskets in war. Matchlock and flintlock muskets were a slow firearm to load and fire, you could fire perhaps 3 shots in a minute. It wasn' t practical to use anywhere bit in a military formation.
This movie made me believe I could throw a sword sideways, have it spin perfectly and cut through gushing water from a fountain, and then hit a man in the chest with precision some yards away. Now that is suspension of disbelief at its finest. (Serious note: I still enjoy watching this movie)
A lot of people have asked, why Loui XIV did not simply have the Masked Prisoner executed. The best answer I have seen is that, despite all his faults, Louis did not have people executed who had not committed a Capital Crime.
@@williamkarbala5718 the theory I’ve read that makes the most sense to me is that he was a butler or carriage driver for one of the high ups in the court. Not someone who would merit the king’s attention, but had spent enough time around the nobility and knew their dirty laundry.
I absolutely love your videos and the way you untangle reality from movies and the creative process behind them. I was watching All The President's Men recently and I was wondering how close the movie was to the real investigation and I feel like you could make a really interesting video about a historical event that most people are familiar with but know very little about. Cheers!
I love when you put out a video because its so well done. You arent pumping a video out every week but take your time. Id rather have one good one a month or every few months that you take your time with than multiple ones per month with the value of the video going down. Keep it up :)
The main motivation behind moving to Versailles was also controlling the nobles, the peasants were rioting often, but Louis was most of all shocked by a nobility revolt during his childhood that could have killed him, la Fronde (the slingshot ^^). Versailles was away from the capital and there was a system to keep nobles in check there ^^
Exactly, it wasn't just some fancy palace built because why not? It was made so king Louis could centralize power around himself and destroy the power of the nobility which held emence power before and after him.
@@kingofcards9516 Did it though? It concentrated some of the aristocracy in one place while marginalising others but that's really one big toxic cesspit in the making. We make a lot of the courtly functions that were being sold for money but we forget that these positions usually gave you access to the King and might open other doors for you. Ultimately, the French aristocracy would be more powerful than ever before in some ways and it would push his successors towards a policy of stagnation and reaction that would end with the revolution.
The best adaptation of Dumas' work are the 1970s films with Michael York as D'Artagnan, Oliver Reed as Athos, and Charlton Heston as Richelieu. I will glady challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to a duel, -at the Luxembourg at three o'clock!
I fully approve of the idea of you putting out videos more often! However, don't do it to the point that you get burned out! You do what's good for you, and we'll absolutely be happy whenever a new video comes out.
It's been awhile since I've seen it, but this was one of my favorite movies when I was younger, mainly because I was a big fan of the Three Musketeers movie from 1994.
I haven't watched this movie since I was a kid. It's really funny to realise how star-studded it is. :D (It's especially funny to see that Hugh Laurie actually also was a serious French aristocrat at one point.)
Great video as always, this is my favorite film. Ps.: in the books, at least in the first novel, Aramis becomes a priest, but before that, both he and Porthos were two Don Juans.
Thank you for reviewing this one! It was fun to watch, and (as always) I enjoyed learning the extra historical bits I didn't already know. I've always loved this particular adaptation of "The Man in the Iron Mask", despite its flaws and hilariously over-the-top dramatics -- perhaps even because of it. But then, I'm kind of a sucker for costume period dramas...
As someone who grew up in france I would like to put something forward, despite all the problems louis the 14th caused, he is still considered one of the best kings of france by most people. Just behind Charlemagne of corse
The victors write history. But they're often more insidious than their predecessors in that any opposition was more brutally culled to 0. One way to evaluate such potential is to firstly, look at amount of detraction from contemporary sources... if nearly none exist, you can bet it was culled. Because that's very unusual. The other is to just take on face value their achievements that were so highlighted. Were they, in the end really significant life changing for the majority things? Or were they superficial even carnival act stunts? And what is praised? And why was it praised? Who could it have hurt? And who did it hurt?
Just a modern day example at this very moment, the North Koreans are lead to believe the present dynastic ruling family are near divine and the best thing that could have ever happened to them. All while the nation starves and is at the mercy of a outright tyrannical dictatorship where all opposition is sent to work camps or simply killed.
My grandmother was watching this movie once and I walked into the room right as they were putting the mask back on Leo. His screams scared the shit out of me as a kid game me nightmares
Would love a review of The Alamo (2004), it's a good movie that was made with the same kind of love as Gettysburg and often finds respectable middle-ground with the history and the fantasy surrounding the Alamo
Such a coincidence that I start this the same day I start the Three Musketeers once again. Highly recommend the book and the way the characters lived and died.
YESSS!!! Another History Buffs!!! Can’t wait to watch a new one!! I love binging these videos over and over again. It’s one of my favorite channels. ❤️❤️❤️
Nick Hodges, & History Buffs, where have you been all my life? I was scrolling through RUclips 3 days ago, and came across History Buffs for the first time. I may become an addict, having seen 6 or 7 episodes so far........stellar
I wondered if you would mention the painting of the old real Louis XIV in the background in one or more scenes of the movie (the famous portray by Rigaud). Declaring Louis XIV a great king in the end of the movie at least reflects some opinions about his reign. Voltaire and other contemporary historians called it "the great period" as we see an enormous output in industry, arts, technic etc. during the period of Louis XIII to Louis XIV. Louis XIV ended the civilwars in France during Mazarin's reign. We see somehow stability which gave the chance for France to start expansion of the territory. On the other hands hundreds of thousands of French soldiers were killed during the wars and the protestants had to leave their homes (although some stayed).
I didn’t know The Man In The Iron Mask was based on a true story. Plus Louis XIV had a big impact on my country’s (Ireland) history when he backed the ousted James II in his bid to regain the English crown from William III.
I just rewatched the film today and I love this movie. It's a film that I could watch over and over again. The A list ensemble was immaculate. And then of course I had to come here and watch the History Buffs review again.
Fun fact: "The iron mask was invented by Voltaire, who probably based it on a contemporary story originating in Provence in which it is stated that Eustache was forced…"
Wow, that was a quick time between uploads, Nick! Thanks! I personally love this movie despite its flaws, and I’m glad you covered it. If I may make a request: could you please consider Downfall(2004)? It’s a chilling, yet brilliant(and n my opinion, nearly flawless)depiction of the last 10 days of Adolf Hitler, and how absolutely mad he was down in the Führerbunker. Please, thanks, and keep up the amazing work!
You have been my favorite RUclipsr since the channel started! I'm a teacher and I'm always referring your videos to students who like history and/or movies
This is a very intresting Buffs, because you mix History, and fiction. Very good episode. I am wondering if you could make a video about 2005 Munich, 2005 Joyeux Noel, 1999 The messenger: The story of Joan of Arc, 1990 Bugsy, or 2012 Argos.
I watched this movie for the very first time because you posted this video and wanted to watch it before hearing what you had to say. Great video and thanks for expanding my movie repertoire!
Nick, love your channel, and your historical analysis. Could you possibly do an episode on the movie 'Breaker Morant', a fascinating look at the Boer War. Keep up the great work!!
The closest to the first book the three musketeers is from the 1970's with Athos played by Oliver Reed, it is a much more accurate reflection of the morals of the time and is absolutely brilliant
Man I love this movie, the soundtrack, the action and the acting. I remember seeing it 3 times in the cinema as a young teen, and so I'm not looking forward to see it torn apart :D BTW if your are interested look up the anniversay game where Kevin costner lead the NYY and SOX out of the field of dreams. *Edit: I'm happy you didn't go too hard on it :D
Thank you to todays sponsor! The first 100 people to use code HISTORYBUFFS at the link below will get 60% off of Incogni: incogni.com/historybuffs
Love your work!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Been a subscriber for a long time, Nick. Your historical work and research are amazing.
Another video you are on 🔥🔥
History Buffs… you should review the 1992 French war film, “DIEN BIEN PHU” instead of this movie.
I used a service similar to incogni (may have been incogni I forget), yes these types of service contact companies that hold your details.
What they don't tell you is those companies then email you asking for more details so they can delete your details and won't do it unless you provide them...
My inbox was spammed hard and you end up having to do the work yourself.
I wonder if any incogni users could comment on their experience.
My favorite memory of this movie is standing in line at some fast food place and listening to a dude in front of me complain to his friend about how he waited the whole movie for the mask to have powers and it never happened. Something like "Man, that mask didn't do nothin'. It was just some old-time movie!"
I think he was expecting Jim Carrey under that mask. 😆
Swords, Musketeers, intrigue ... swords ... there's just no pleasing some people.
Lmfao
I'm betting he really said 'dindo'
What?! LMAO
Hehe I always loved the accents in this movie full of Frenchmen.
DiCaprio doing an American accent, Depardieu doing a French accent, Irons with an English accent and Malkovich doing a Malkovich accent.
Malkovich accent 🫠 so true
You could always look at that as French regional accents, though since these aristocrats all probably come from the same place, it probably doesn't work.
@akl2k7 it's only Malkovich if it's from the Malkovich region of France. Otherwise it's just disquieting, older, white guy.
@@merphulcomment of the day
I cheat. I always watch the movie with the French dub
I love how the French royal court is full of english accents and the king sounds like he's from Los Angeles.
Like how in Beauty and the Beast Lumiere was the only Frenchman in France.
and we are learning french histroy from american, based on movie.
😂😂😂
Aramis was a priest in the books, too. Like 80% or more of his entire character is the tension between him being a priest and him being a swashbuckler.
I think in the final book he was a bishop and the antagonist
@@vpapako The books are truly great, and everybody should read them. They are much raunchier than any of the films; they are also much more convoluted and complex. In the first book of the series, The Three Musketeers, all four heroes are on the same side. In the second book, Twenty Years After, it is D'Artagnan and Porthos who work together against the rebels (la Fronde), two of who are their old friends Athos and Aramis. In the third book, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, all four are old, and it is D'Artagnan and Athos who are against Porthos and Aramis. By the end of this third book (the final part of which is The Man in the Iron Mask) three are dead, and only one survives (and it's not whom you think).
@@vpapakoMoral of the story church make you evil
That's my only problem with the new French version where Rómáin Duris plays Aramis. I feel like he insisted that Aramis had to be sexy. He's tormented by his relationship with God, but he also fucks women and tortures people for fun and profit.
My favorite portrayal of these characters will always be from the two films in the 70's. Michael York as D'Artagnan, Oliver Reed as Athos, Richard Chamberlain as Aramis, and Frank Finlay as Porthos. They eventually come back together to do The Return of the Musketeers, based on Twenty Years After.
I've heard that the man in the iron mask was actually just a common prisoner and that his guard (Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars) asked him to wear the mask so that it would make him look like he was in charge of a very important prisoner
Ha! An interesting theory. 😂
Sounds like something Homer would come up with
Sounds like something Homer would come up with
Eeeeey, Fantomas!
@@ollie_raviollie exactly!!!
I can't see Hugh Laurie in a wig and period costume without expecting Edmund Blackadder to make an appearance. Maybe he was the man in the mask....
He's still trying to say "antidisestablishmentarianism"
Nice. Blackadder FTW.
Did he ever figure out what happened to all of his socks?
my sentiments exactly, and not having watched this version so far i was amazed to discover laurie was there...
I had zero idea he was in this film lol.
Sorry guys, due to my dyslexia I misread the word at 1:20, its "vicomte" the french word for viscount not victim🤦♂
Perhaps we can begin to forgive you.
/unsubscribed.
Thanks, I was really struggling to let this one go...
I think vicomte is french for viscount.
@@giorgosmichael9142 Correct. Comte = Count, Vicomte = Viscount.
"Riots?, But Paris is the most beautiful city in the world" Bit of very early foreshadowing there Louis
France being France.
And telling that directly to Dr. Houses face, those are some serious balls to lie.
@@williamtimonen6814 The riots now are due to how un-frech France now is
I work in Paris and the timing of your comments could hardly be more ironic.
@williamtimonen6814 Yeah, but doubt he expected the state to side with the riots so often
I love that Hugh Laurie was allowed to play his role in this seriously. For certain it comes as a refreshing change from Blackadder
honestly bruh I fucking lost it seeing him in a wig
@@moisesjimenez4391 most folks saw him in the wig first and were surprised to see him play a serious role when House came out
morning peasent think most are we last centery europeans rather as house is an american show and why he recognized as that before blackadder of old...@@nunyabidness674
@@nunyabidness674There was a good cameo of House in Friends too before he grew a stubble (joke)
Nefelim
I think the movie's ending is a paralell universe where the twin DOES get on the throne and does all that stuff. But because that's another universe, we're in the one where Louis wins and parties until he dies
I thought he became a rather drab Catholic fanatic in his later years.
I've LOVED this movie ever since I was a kid, not necessarily for historical reasons but because I just really enjoyed it, haven't seen it in YEARS, this is a completely unexpected nostalgia hit and I can't thank you enough for it Mr Hodges!
Nick’s coming out with upload after upload and I’m here for all of it.
Same dawg same.
Funniest thing about this movie was casting a teen heart throb.. And putting a mask on him hahaha
Though it's not completely fair to blame only the king, like Russia the church was absolutely leeching society to death with their greed
Gotta get my coffee and snickerdoodle cookies and I'm ready to go
Do You have a plan, dutch?
It's like an old friend paying a visit after 5 months of not seeing them.
There is a 3 Musketeers movie from the 1970’s where the guy who played the Skipper on Gillian’s Island played Porthos. Apparently his Dad had played Porthos in a black and white movie and it was a life long aspiration of him to follow in his footsteps. I don’t know who his agent was but they must have been incredible to get him that role after he was typecast as the Skipper.
"The Fifth Musketeer", a 1979 German-Austrain film, for those who might care to check it out.
Alan Hale was a successful actor and played as Erroll Flyinn's friend in several movies. His son Alan Hale jr played the skipper on Gilligan's Island.
@@earlleeruhf3130 Wasn’t Alan Hale Jr. also in Man In The Wilderness which was the same story as The Revenant? It’s so weird to see hem as anything but the Skipper.
One thing that’s usually left out of the basic analysis of Louis boy’s life is that the pomp and parties weren’t just their for his enjoyment. Nobles would have to spend lavishly, many impoverishing themselves in the process, and travel to Versailles instead of Paris surrounded by the kings men to garner favor with the king. Louis spent his childhood threatened by his nobles and he built a way to keep them dependent and incapable of rebellion. But great solutions have a nasty way of backfiring from time to time.
What happened next?
@@nathanb5579 not sure if this is a serious question or not but I’ll answer it anyway. His solutions crippled the government’s flexibility to the point that making moves that would prevent the revolution would topple the pillars the crown rested on.
Yes he was a nasty piece of work. There are no toilets on the ground floor, so the place stank especially during summer. Louis had an enlarged bladder, so could hold it in for a long time. No nobles were allowed to relieve themselves in his presence, which I guess added to the palace festivities. He spent almost all his wealth on wars, including the War of the Spanish Succession, so that by the time his grandson - Louis XVI came to finance support for the Americans, he had to borrow heavily, and bankrupted France, which caused the French Revolution. Butterfly effect.
@@richardcaves3601 They used chamber pots back then...
@@pendlera2959 yes they did for private use, go look at Versailles, and search for a 17th century WC. Good luck with that - there ain't any. Charles Windsor has a fantastic collection of them, including one with Hitler's face in it. The chamber pots were in bedrooms, not the formal areas.
I love this movie. It's about as historically accurate as Bill and Ted movies, but it has good action, great characters and the ending always brings a tear to the eye.
Sir Dude! The peasantry are like, totally not chill with the raising of the taxes. They do not feel most triumphant!
The real Louis actually wins in the book and he successfully re-exiles his brother, while making Aramis and Porthos fugitives.
Same
Agreed. Something to spark the interest of a young historian. I thought the writing was well above average.
@@progadkri5662 --- Impressive. Somebody actually read it. 👍
I weirdly like that everyone just spoke in their own accent. It adds to the fantasy aspect. I actually admire the movie more, knowing the true history behind it.
It was, as is with all, fiction. The history of France during the Middle ages is above, all; up to interpretation. So many details. So many characters; most of whom were perceived by authority. The truth is in there... Somewhere.
it makes more sense then everyone doing a fake french accent.
There was this TV show on bbc 2 hosted by Jean Paul gaultier and another French man. They highlighted the kinky stuff the europeans were up to. It was called eurotrash. People from Belgium talking about bestiality in a broad Newcastle accent.
I think this is one of Leo's best films in his early career. I love this movie and the cast.
I found him to be flat and dull
He’s awful. The best early film by Jennifer de Cuppochino is What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Dreadful performances by Jeremy Irons His Shirts and John Monkey Nuts
When he was playing the king I hated him, when he was playing the twin brother I liked him. I figured, at that point, that he must be a pretty good actor.
@@balabanasireti Nah
I agree I love this movie so much
The costumes are beautiful in this movie. Lots of near exact reproductions of what Louis wears in his portraits
I think they spent their money on actors and costumes. Not a bad choice.
This was my grandma's favorite movie, she passed a little while ago and watching this brought fourth a flood bittersweet memories. Not your intention but thank you
Not a historical gripe, but it was always problematic that D'Artagnan defended the tyrant Louis purely because he was his son. Once he finds out he has a spare, a more moral spare, he turns on his tyrranical son. That and he doesn't turn on Louis because of the countless wrongs the king's committed against his own people and D'Artagnan's friends, but the wrongs Louis committed against D'Artagnan's other son.
Yeah, I hate D'Artagnan in this movie so self righteous when he's actually just basically thinking egotistically it's disgusting
D'Artagnan's son or Athos' adopted son?
@@pritammitra1605D'Artagnan turns on his own son, Louis, to help Athos' adopted son, Phillipe, who is D'Artagnan's other son, but not because Louis murdered Athos' biological son, Raoul, so Louis could take Raoul's fiance, Christine, as a concubine.
It's what were seeing in society today with parents defending the criminals actions of their children and calling cops dirty names.
Could you please do "Das Boot" ? Its one helluva movie and i want to see how historically accurate it might be
From what I've heard the only inaccuracy would be the sailors daring to throw an oily rag at the journalist on board (who held the rank of an officer).
@@slowerthinker The movie takes place during U-96's 7th deployment. It's fairly accurate. However, U-96 didn't sink after returning to port. She would go on and complete another 4 deployments. By 1943, she was being used as a training vessel before being decommissioned in 1945. She would be sunk in an air raid a few weeks later.
Yes YES *YEESSS* I better hope it happen
@@jehoiakimelidoronila5450 let's hope he sees this and review this bad ass movie ✌️
@@balabanasireti yeah ! That scene where his top generals start stuttering " Mein Fuhrer...." and Hitler goes " nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein!" is hopefully true😄 an epic meme
"An oath is an oath because it cannot be removed", I love that line
Can't you renounce an oath?
Oh no I sense a 3 hour Google rabbit hole coming my way as I try to answer that & it turns out to be One Of Those Questions --- the "sounds easy; not easy" ones.
This is actually one of my favourite movies.
The narration at the end, I think, makes clear that this is an alternate timeline.
I watched this when I was halfway through college. So I was familiar with the history of France at that point. I knew this movie was mostly bullsh!t, but I still love it, because it's a great work of historical fiction, done well on the movie screen. That's really all I can ask for.
Yeah to me it’s basically the same as Gladiator.
It’s a world where a benevolent Louis XIV ruled much like Gladiator restored the Roman republic.
Dumas father was imprisoned by napoleon out of sheer Jealousy. I think this story of his dad was the basis of “the man in the Iron mask” which also influenced “the count of montecristo” as his dad was know to be “the” greatest swords man.
Colonel Joseph Bologne aka Chevalier de St George, another mixed race guy, was a better swordsman, one of the best in Europe in his day
All we need now is for Dom Noble to do a Lost in Adaptation on The Vicomte of Bragalonne vs The Man in The Iron Mask as a counterpoint.
Because this film is both ahistorical and very different from the book! (Especially as it's just the last third of it!)
And yet I remain fond if it. If treated as its own thing, it's pretty good!
The movie feels like an interesting 'what if our brave heroes were here to change the course of history' tale.
The "Philip as King Louis XIV brought peace and prosperity" part never bothered me because I like the interpretation of this movie as an Alternative History where Louis XIV is replaced before he can fully cause the damage history remembers him for, thus averting many tragedies.
Eddit: Fixed mistake.
*averting
I'm pretty sure he's remembered for being the imbodyment of absolute monarchy.
I've never seen peoples first thought of him being any damage he may have done.
Now this is a fan theory I can get behind
To be honest the age was crazy and full of wars and abherrent waist of lives. Every country in Europe took part in it, my guess is that the worst harm Louis XIV did to France was his court intregues and constant politicking that stood in the way of efficient armies leadership, and of course his terrible social management.
@@kingofcards9516
Absolute Monarchy in a good or bad way?
I remember a time that Nick's videos were 6 months to a year in between...this...this is nice.
I’ve got three little rules
1. I expect your loyalty
2. Don’t step on my groove
3. Don’t look at the man in the Iron Mask
- King Louis XIV
Who?
1. Don't tug on Superman's cape
2. Don't spit into the wind
3. Don't pull the mask off the ol' *Man in the Iron Mask*
4. Don't mess around with Jim
Jack rackham enjoyer
All the references to Dumas’s works in Django Unchained are more palpable when you appreciate Dicaprio playing both Louis XIV and Calvin Candy
Great video as always, thank you very much. I'm french and Alexandre Dumas is one of my all time favourite authors, ever since I'd learned how to read I literally devoured his books! My grandmother had the complete collection (and believe me that's A LOT of books!) and I can remember being 7 or 8 and always carrying with me one of these big red volumes, and reading it on every occasion I could find, even in holidays on the beach! His books were actually the root of my passion, still to this day, for literature and History. 😊
I would like to meet you sometime, One of my favorite novels when I was in primary school was The Three Musketeers, while I've had an interest in history since I was much younger.
I believe the ending was always meant to be this is an alternate history. Because real history the man in the Iron Mass died in the Bastille. So we got the bad Louis XIV.
I remember seeing this in theaters when I was 10 years old and I absolutely loved it. 1998 was jammed pack with great period piece films like Saving Private Ryan, Titanic, Man in the Iron Mask, The Mask of Zorro, and L.A. Confidential. I'm still mad that Shakespeare in Love took home Best Picture over Saving Private Ryan at the Oscars.
...And Gwyneth Paltrow over Cate Blanchett As Elizabeth I, which was, incidentally, also an excellent period movie
I really loved this movie. Here is a suggestion if you also love this movie. Pair it up with the 1993 Disney The Three Musketeers. I know they have different actors and were from a different production company. However, the two really seem to flow together.
I'm sorry but you have to be on crack. Richard Lester nailed the musketeers stories.
I think thats on purpose as the 1993 three musketeers would have been the closest movie so they made kind of a sequel to it.
There's also the '73 one with Christopher Lee. Weitten by Historical Fictionnauthor George Macdonald Fraser
@@DIEGhostfish
There is, but the '73 and '74 films adhere closer to the events of source novel, whereas the '93 version is closer to the fast and loose nature of this film.
TBH, when I was a kid and this came out, I thought it was the sequel to the Disney Three Musketeers for some reason. Never mind the different actors.
The fact that John Malkovich plays the role of one of the Musketeers puts the icing on the cake
Excellent choice, Nick! One of my favourite movies of all time despite several warts (John Malkovich's jarring American accent being the worst of these) and while it plays fast and loose with historical facts, it is rich in historical detail, even little things like what happens when you charge a Martello head-on. (You die like Raoul) The scenes in the palace are fantastic, Leonardo DiCaprio is a perfectly arrogant Sun King, Porthos made me a fan of Gerard Depardieu and I can never see anyone else but him when I imagine the character. Thanks for covering it, I hope this video inspires a new generation to enjoy this fantastic movie.
This was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid in the 90s. It is simply a good story- but what made this movie for me is the beautiful music composed by Nick Glennie-Smith. The music reminded me of the beautiful Golden Age of hollywood music with a late Baroque/Enlightenment period flair. Kind of like Max Steiner's music (Gone with the Wind, Little Women, Casablanca, and much, much more).
The beautiful scenery in this film made me want to travel to France, which I do every few years.
My biggest issue with all the portrayals of the Musketeers is that they're never armed with Muskets
I mean it’d be a bit awkward if they were called “The Rapiteers”
@@rynemcgriffin1752 They use pistols at several moments in the flick. But "pistolteers" just doesn't quite have the same ring to it, you know?
Marines dont spend much time in the water anymore either and the "cavalry" use helicopters now 🤷♂️
@@glennross85 Dude, they were the original musketeers. They were called musketeers because they were the only troops equipped with muskets. That's like calling them marines but them never going to sea.
Anyway, it's not a big deal, just something I found interesting so I made a comment.
They used muskets in war. Matchlock and flintlock muskets were a slow firearm to load and fire, you could fire perhaps 3 shots in a minute. It wasn' t practical to use anywhere bit in a military formation.
This movie made me believe I could throw a sword sideways, have it spin perfectly and cut through gushing water from a fountain, and then hit a man in the chest with precision some yards away. Now that is suspension of disbelief at its finest.
(Serious note: I still enjoy watching this movie)
11:12 true, but in the story that the man in the iron mask is based on, aramis is a bishop. So technically he's a man of Faith by this time.
Let's face it, rioting is pretty much the National sport of France.
How awesome that I've been on a History Buff's binge the last two days of all the old reviews....and you give us a new video today. Fantastic!
HISTORY BUFFS UPLOADED??? wow, can't wait to watch this! your videos are always amazing, funny, but informative.
A lot of people have asked, why Loui XIV did not simply have the Masked Prisoner executed. The best answer I have seen is that, despite all his faults, Louis did not have people executed who had not committed a Capital Crime.
Possible he didn’t even know about the masked prisoner
Or care.
@@williamkarbala5718 the theory I’ve read that makes the most sense to me is that he was a butler or carriage driver for one of the high ups in the court. Not someone who would merit the king’s attention, but had spent enough time around the nobility and knew their dirty laundry.
@@dkupke I think he was sent to prison on Louis order.
@@dkupke he likely was a servant who saw or heard something he shouldn’t have
I absolutely love your videos and the way you untangle reality from movies and the creative process behind them. I was watching All The President's Men recently and I was wondering how close the movie was to the real investigation and I feel like you could make a really interesting video about a historical event that most people are familiar with but know very little about. Cheers!
I love when you put out a video because its so well done. You arent pumping a video out every week but take your time. Id rather have one good one a month or every few months that you take your time with than multiple ones per month with the value of the video going down. Keep it up :)
The main motivation behind moving to Versailles was also controlling the nobles, the peasants were rioting often, but Louis was most of all shocked by a nobility revolt during his childhood that could have killed him, la Fronde (the slingshot ^^). Versailles was away from the capital and there was a system to keep nobles in check there ^^
Exactly, it wasn't just some fancy palace built because why not?
It was made so king Louis could centralize power around himself and destroy the power of the nobility which held emence power before and after him.
@@kingofcards9516It worked though didn’t it?
@@rynemcgriffin1752 yes, it did.
The nobility went from a powerful force that could depose kings to fighting over who would tie king Louis shoes.
@@kingofcards9516 immense :)
@@kingofcards9516 Did it though? It concentrated some of the aristocracy in one place while marginalising others but that's really one big toxic cesspit in the making. We make a lot of the courtly functions that were being sold for money but we forget that these positions usually gave you access to the King and might open other doors for you. Ultimately, the French aristocracy would be more powerful than ever before in some ways and it would push his successors towards a policy of stagnation and reaction that would end with the revolution.
The best adaptation of Dumas' work are the 1970s films with Michael York as D'Artagnan, Oliver Reed as Athos, and Charlton Heston as Richelieu.
I will glady challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to a duel, -at the Luxembourg at three o'clock!
"Are you fighting this fellow? But I'm fighting him myself!"
I'll see you there.
Apparently, the new French one is supurb!! (I haven't seen it yet; is it out yet?)
I fully approve of the idea of you putting out videos more often! However, don't do it to the point that you get burned out! You do what's good for you, and we'll absolutely be happy whenever a new video comes out.
It's been awhile since I've seen it, but this was one of my favorite movies when I was younger, mainly because I was a big fan of the Three Musketeers movie from 1994.
Me too. Back then I felt like Iron Mask was a sequel, like many years later when Chris O’Donnell grew up into Gabriel Byrne, etc.
@@bluestrife28 I also thought of it as a sequel back then.
Ever seen the Musketeer version from 1973- and 74? That's my favorite by far. Lavish, so funny, great music and so close to the book. Recommend it.
I haven't watched this movie since I was a kid. It's really funny to realise how star-studded it is. :D (It's especially funny to see that Hugh Laurie actually also was a serious French aristocrat at one point.)
Great video as always, this is my favorite film.
Ps.: in the books, at least in the first novel, Aramis becomes a priest, but before that, both he and Porthos were two Don Juans.
“Live in peace”
Lol Louise XVI basically fought every nation in Europe.
Well france has a habit of doing that😅
XIV, Louis XVI basically lost his head.
Sorry about your dad nick and kudos for still pumping out great content, your a trooper
Thank you for reviewing this one! It was fun to watch, and (as always) I enjoyed learning the extra historical bits I didn't already know.
I've always loved this particular adaptation of "The Man in the Iron Mask", despite its flaws and hilariously over-the-top dramatics -- perhaps even because of it. But then, I'm kind of a sucker for costume period dramas...
it is good to see that you are starting to upload a bit more frequently Nick! Can't wait to see what other videos you have planned.
Another video already!? You've absolutely been pumping them out recently, and I'm certainly not complaining!
I loved this film as a child. Watched the video tape over and over.
As someone who grew up in france I would like to put something forward, despite all the problems louis the 14th caused, he is still considered one of the best kings of france by most people. Just behind Charlemagne of corse
The victors write history.
But they're often more insidious than their predecessors in that any opposition was more brutally culled to 0.
One way to evaluate such potential is to firstly, look at amount of detraction from contemporary sources... if nearly none exist, you can bet it was culled. Because that's very unusual.
The other is to just take on face value their achievements that were so highlighted. Were they, in the end really significant life changing for the majority things?
Or were they superficial even carnival act stunts?
And what is praised? And why was it praised? Who could it have hurt? And who did it hurt?
Just a modern day example at this very moment, the North Koreans are lead to believe the present dynastic ruling family are near divine and the best thing that could have ever happened to them.
All while the nation starves and is at the mercy of a outright tyrannical dictatorship where all opposition is sent to work camps or simply killed.
My grandmother was watching this movie once and I walked into the room right as they were putting the mask back on Leo. His screams scared the shit out of me as a kid game me nightmares
Would love a review of The Alamo (2004), it's a good movie that was made with the same kind of love as Gettysburg and often finds respectable middle-ground with the history and the fantasy surrounding the Alamo
Always love to see more 17th/18th century history.
Such a coincidence that I start this the same day I start the Three Musketeers once again. Highly recommend the book and the way the characters lived and died.
I literally was just watching this the other day. It was years since I saw it, and loved it.
Nick at it again ! Love your content and will always watch.
YESSS!!! Another History Buffs!!! Can’t wait to watch a new one!! I love binging these videos over and over again. It’s one of my favorite channels. ❤️❤️❤️
I love this channel, and these videos. Please keep doing what you're doing.
Nick Hodges, & History Buffs, where have you been all my life? I was scrolling through RUclips 3 days ago, and came across History Buffs for the first time. I may become an addict, having seen 6 or 7 episodes so far........stellar
The best part of my day is when I get notified that History Buffs has uploaded a new video 🔥🔥👍🏼
I loved this movie as a child, along with "The mask of Zorro" thank you so much for reminding me of this movie. I really do appreciate the memories
now realizing Leonardo DiCaprio has been in two movies where the name D'Artagnan has been mentioned
Hugh Laurie is a dam good actor. Seeing his work before he become Dr. House is just astonishing
I wondered if you would mention the painting of the old real Louis XIV in the background in one or more scenes of the movie (the famous portray by Rigaud).
Declaring Louis XIV a great king in the end of the movie at least reflects some opinions about his reign. Voltaire and other contemporary historians called it "the great period" as we see an enormous output in industry, arts, technic etc. during the period of Louis XIII to Louis XIV. Louis XIV ended the civilwars in France during Mazarin's reign. We see somehow stability which gave the chance for France to start expansion of the territory.
On the other hands hundreds of thousands of French soldiers were killed during the wars and the protestants had to leave their homes (although some stayed).
I didn’t know The Man In The Iron Mask was based on a true story. Plus Louis XIV had a big impact on my country’s (Ireland) history when he backed the ousted James II in his bid to regain the English crown from William III.
Speaking of which, funny how this video was published the day before the anniversary of the Boyne, huh?
Hell yeah another one so soon
Always a good day when History Buffs uploads, but I do miss the Palladio opener.
I love 1973's The Three Musketeers, incredible film.
Best adaptation of Dumas' work no question.
I just rewatched the film today and I love this movie. It's a film that I could watch over and over again. The A list ensemble was immaculate. And then of course I had to come here and watch the History Buffs review again.
I'd love to see you interview Sean Bean on the history the Sharpe series is based.
Great day to be a HistoryBuff.
Thanks for your Videos Nick.
Fun fact: "The iron mask was invented by Voltaire, who probably based it on a contemporary story originating in Provence in which it is stated that Eustache was forced…"
Sounds like an incomplete fact to me.
Great channel as always. I’d love to see The King historical breakdown.
Keep this frequency. Your videos are much needed.
I love this movie for the fact that Leo even so young did a fantastic job.
Wow, that was a quick time between uploads, Nick! Thanks! I personally love this movie despite its flaws, and I’m glad you covered it.
If I may make a request: could you please consider Downfall(2004)? It’s a chilling, yet brilliant(and n my opinion, nearly flawless)depiction of the last 10 days of Adolf Hitler, and how absolutely mad he was down in the Führerbunker. Please, thanks, and keep up the amazing work!
I loved this movie so much when I was a teenager.
How about now?
I love your videos, so much, Nick! Thank you for making them. You are amazing.❤
You have been my favorite RUclipsr since the channel started! I'm a teacher and I'm always referring your videos to students who like history and/or movies
Man, Nick really bringing the heat lately
This is a very intresting Buffs, because you mix History, and fiction. Very good episode. I am wondering if you could make a video about 2005 Munich, 2005 Joyeux Noel, 1999 The messenger: The story of Joan of Arc, 1990 Bugsy, or 2012 Argos.
1998 The Thin Red Line and 1985 Come and See.
One of my favorite movies! I just love how the accents were all over the place. Leo didn't even attempt at least a British accent LOL
I feel spoiled...2 new History Buffs videos in less than a month?!
Keep up the excellent, sir.
I watched this movie for the very first time because you posted this video and wanted to watch it before hearing what you had to say. Great video and thanks for expanding my movie repertoire!
It’s cool to see another video come out so soon, shame the video isn’t as long as other videos on the channel
Is ignoring Louis' wife that big of a mistake? I might be wrong but didn't he ignore her frequently in real life?
Nick, love your channel, and your historical analysis. Could you possibly do an episode on the movie 'Breaker Morant', a fascinating look at the Boer War. Keep up the great work!!
The closest to the first book the three musketeers is from the 1970's with Athos played by Oliver Reed, it is a much more accurate reflection of the morals of the time and is absolutely brilliant
The Man in the Velvet Mask, played by Terrence Howard.
Seriously though, the hallway scene where they charge at gunfire is epic.
I honestly love this movie. Its cool to see it talked about.
Man I love this movie, the soundtrack, the action and the acting. I remember seeing it 3 times in the cinema as a young teen, and so I'm not looking forward to see it torn apart :D BTW if your are interested look up the anniversay game where Kevin costner lead the NYY and SOX out of the field of dreams.
*Edit: I'm happy you didn't go too hard on it :D