The Man in the Iron Mask (1939)

In the opulent halls of 17th century France, a sinister secret lurks beneath the golden crown of Louis XIV. His doppelganger, Philippe, a kind-hearted soul, exists unbeknownst to the world, raised under the watchful eyes of D'Artagnan and the incorruptible musketeers. Louis XIV, a stark contrast to his twin, is portrayed as a ruthless, incompetent monarch, whose selfishness taints the royal bloodline. This intolerable monarch, fearing his throne's jeopardy, exploits the influence of the cunning Fouquet to suppress this dangerous truth. But the musketeers, steadfast in their loyalty to justice, hold the knowledge of Philippe's existence like a drawn sword, ready to strike at the right moment. The plot thickens when Louis XIV, in a desperate attempt to secure his reign, imprisons Philippe, forcing him to wear an iron mask. He secretly hopes that the mask will become a torturous device, as Philippe's growing beard would turn into an instrument of his strangulation. The iron mask, a symbol of his brother's cruelty, conceals Philippe's royal features, as he becomes a pawn in his brother's ruthless game. In a daring twist of fate, the Three Musketeers, along with D'Artagnan, conspire to rescue Philippe from his unjust imprisonment. Their audacious plan unfolds amidst the backdrop of royal deceit and intrigue, setting the stage for a thrilling adventure. With the rightful heir trapped in an iron mask, and a kingdom teetering on the brink of rebellion, the musketeers are the last beacon of hope. Will they succeed in their mission, or will the iron mask remain Philippe's eternal shroud? The fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance in this riveting tale of brotherhood, betrayal, and bravery.

The Man in the Iron Mask is an adventure movie featuring Louis Hayward and directed by James Whale.

The Man in the Iron Mask is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV and it's also available on Fandor Amazon Channel and The Film Detective.

It is also possible to buy The Man in the Iron Mask on Vudu.