This is a short by Jacques Tourneur dealing with the mysterious affair of "the iron mask" which inspired Alexandre Dumas the third volume of "Les Trois Mousquetaires" ,"Le Vicomte De Bragelonnes" which spawned countless movies .
More than a historical document,the short is actually moralizing;the conclusion is edifying: in those ancient times,a mere "Lettre De Cachet" from the King could get you a life sentence.Aren't we happy to live now in democracy? Like in all the filmed versions,the prisoner is wearing an iron mask whereas historians are not even sure he was wearing a mask ,and if such was the case ,it was a black velvet one.After telling his sad story,the movie suggests three possibilities: -an ambassador accused of double-dealing.
-A twin brother of the Sun King (Alexandre Dumas' novel) -Fouquet (which was impossible,cause the family of Colbert's enemy saw him dead) But check Wikipedia and you will find a dozen or more persons (including Molière!)who could have been the most mysterious prisoner of all time.
More than a historical document,the short is actually moralizing;the conclusion is edifying: in those ancient times,a mere "Lettre De Cachet" from the King could get you a life sentence.Aren't we happy to live now in democracy? Like in all the filmed versions,the prisoner is wearing an iron mask whereas historians are not even sure he was wearing a mask ,and if such was the case ,it was a black velvet one.After telling his sad story,the movie suggests three possibilities: -an ambassador accused of double-dealing.
-A twin brother of the Sun King (Alexandre Dumas' novel) -Fouquet (which was impossible,cause the family of Colbert's enemy saw him dead) But check Wikipedia and you will find a dozen or more persons (including Molière!)who could have been the most mysterious prisoner of all time.