THE IRON MASK is a well-mounted version of the popular Alexandre Dumas story, featuring some brief narration from Douglas Fairbanks, no less. It's one of the last silent films made back in 1929 before the new wave of talkies hit cinema screens, and it's directed by the experienced Allan Dwan. With a brief running time the film flies through the thick novel's plot at speed, inserting life and vitality into the story so that it never flags despite its age and dated feel.