‘Man in the Iron Mask’ Lacks a Swashbuckling Touch

Director-screenwriter William Richert has a cult following for 1979’s “Winter Kills,” a conspiracy movie so enjoyably whacked-out that the usual Oliver Stone one-liners virtually pale. He’s not terribly prolific--his only other directorial effort was the misfire “Jimmy Reardon”--but he returns with a low-budget version of Alexandre Dumas’ “The Man in the Iron Mask” in a special engagement at the classic Santa Monica movie house the Aero.

Dumas’ tale has inspired at least three prior incarnations, including a well-regarded one from Hollywood’s golden year of 1939, and still another (starring Leonardo DiCaprio) is due next month.

It’s the tale of twin brothers, separated at birth in France. One, the wholly corrupt King Louis XIV, decadently plunders his land and people, while the virtuous Phillipe is, as a teen, dispatched to the Bastille to languish in an iron mask disguising his lineage. The Musketeers, the king’s elite guard, discover this and plot to release Phillipe and restore him to his rightful place as king.

Richert’s adaptation is scripted drolly enough, but the movie is marred by amateurish performances and clunky exposition. There’s a blithe disrespect for verisimilitude--virtually no one attempts French accents nor bothers with trying to approximate period manners (Porthos is referred to here as “Monsieur Chubbs”). Actors--using the term advisedly--flounce about in bad wigs and sputter out their lines, mispronouncing the handful of French words sprinkled into the script. It’s like a high school costume drama.

Still, the costume and production design belie the film’s modest budget. Unfortunately, there’s not much stirring swashbuckling. Chalk this one up to ambitions far exceeding the filmmakers’ means.

BE THERE

“The Man in the Iron Mask,” exclusively at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. Not rated. Times guidelines: Aside from mild violence and titillation, there’s little to unsettle children, but there’s not much to engage them, either.

Dennis Hayden: D’Artagnan

Rex Ryon: Porthos

William Richert: Aramis

Nick Richert: Louis XIV/Phillipe

Edward Albert: Athos

The Fastest Cheapest Best Film Corp. and Jerry Seltzer presents “The Man in the Iron Mask.” Writer, director, producer William Richert. Co-producer Gloria Pryor. Director of photography William Barber. Editor Andre Vaillancourt. Music Jim Ervin. Production designer Jacques Hebert. Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.