It's got all the classic elements for a great story: an evil but handsome villain, the chance to root for the underdog, four feisty musketeers, fencing, intrigue, romance, and suspense. All in all a terrific if rutted adaptation of the classic. The story takes place in 1662 France where the common people are starving due to the arrogance and deceit of the newly crowned King Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio). The King cares only for his own pleasure and enjoys twisting and manipulating people to his advantage, including the only one of the original four musketeers to still bear the sword for the crown, D'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne), who is now his captain.

Aramis (Jeremy Irons) has become religious priest. Athos (John Malcovich) is the father of Raoul, a strapping young musketeer, and Porthos (Gérard Depardieu) is still chasing anything in skirts. All have a strong hatred for Louis except D'Artagnan, who believes one day Louis will become the man he was born to be. Louis starves his people, arouses anger amongst the nobles and lusts after Christine, the innocent recipient of Raoul's affections. Borrowing a sin straight from the Bible, Louis has the lad sent into the heat of battle in the hopes he will be killed and brings Christine to the palace as his mistress. Arthos is furious and becomes the king's greatest enemy. They learn of an underworld conspiracy headed up by an anonymous enemy and Louis asks his priest Aramis to uncover the conspirator and kill him. The priest agrees, but when he draws together his three friends and colleagues in former conspiracy, the audience is shocked to discover he is at the heart of the rebellion. His quest is for the one man who can save France... a man Louis himself fears... the man in the iron mask. 

D'Artagnon remains loyal to his king despite and will fight to the death to save him. Biblical elements play a large part in this story of honor and redemption but it's flawed in many ways. One such element is the slaying of a man in order to take his wife as a mistress -- does the name "David" ring any bells? Both Porthos and Louis take pride in their seduction of numerous females but D'Artagnan declares, "I think it is possible for a man to love one woman all his life and be the better for it." When Porthos interrupts a praying Aramis with an embarrassing spiel about the pleasures of women's breasts, the priest reminds him there are "more important things in life." Forgiveness, willingness to give your life for another, and doing what's right no matter what the cost make up the good side of this film, gorgeous scenery, an incredible score, and breathtaking period costumes notwithstanding. However, The Man in the Iron Mask also falls victim to sexual humor, implications, and violence.

Porthos is the most abominable character (take him away and the rest are all worthy of praise with minor cravats), running a brothel and frequently playing around with various women. He is found rolling around in the hay with not one but three young milkmaids, as well as flirting with other buxom women, and bears his rear end to the camera when he attempts suicide. (Aramis is the one redeeming piece of humor in this otherwise irritating and offensive scene, when he laces his long fingers together and remarks sweetly that there's no worry about the man hanging himself, as he sawed the beam in the barn in half.) King Louis is portrayed as a lust-driven maniac and is seen in bed with various mistresses but always after the fact -- never in the act. He tells one young woman as he leaves the room, "By the way, you'll be leaving in the morning." Christine falls to his lust when he escorts her into her room after their first evening together. He loosens her gown and seduces her with kisses; we then find them together in bed with her bare side (and part of her breasts) visible to the camera as he watches her sleep. Later they are again in bed (both fully clothed) but she stops him and actually admits she has sinned against the memory of her would-be-husband, as well as God. The gowns are often dangerously low and all the woman on-screen (with the notable exception of the Queen) show excessive amounts of cleavage. There are vague sexual references like Louis finding enough women to fill his bed; the King boasts about his many passionate affairs. it is later revealed a musketeer was involved in an affair with a married woman.

Violence is prevalent but not overly gory; frequent stabbings, sword fights, and shootings, as well as the aftermath of suicide may shy away more cautious teens. The story is engrossing, the climax suspenseful, and the music darkly haunting. The costuming is gorgeous, the swordplay brilliant, and the castle worthy of notice. I found myself wishing I could step into the film and wander the secret passages. Unfortunately, the good cannot quite entirely redeem the bad; the lax morality of a main character and the prevalent crude humor sour the soup. It's a pity Hollywood chose to enhance the 'good guys' as being 'bad guys' in the sense of morality; none of the musketeers are portrayed as overly moral; Porthos is more dislikeable than anyone and unworthy of respect. My personal favorite was D'Artagnan, with Aramis coming in a close second. Their passion, faith in God, and compassion are uplifting. While it's revealed neither have lived flawless lives, we cannot help but love them. An flawed adaptation with a good heart. All for one, and one for all!