William Richert's The Man In The Iron Mask

William Richert's "THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK," based on the classic romantic adventure by Alexandre Dumas, The tale of old fashioned heroism and romance stars Academy Award nominee Edward Albert along with Timothy Bottoms as Fouquet, Meg Foster as Queen Anne, Dana Barron as Valliere, and James Gammon as the Commandant. Appearing as the famous Musketeers are Dennis Hayden (Die Hard, Another 48 Hours) as D'Artagnan; William Richert (My Own Private Idaho, The Client) as the Jesuit Count Aramis; Rex Ryon (Feds, Jack's Back) as giant Porthos; and Edward Albert as Athos. The film introduces Nick Richert as both the evil King Louis XIV and his imprisoned twin Phillipe, who is locked in an iron mask. Brigid Brannah (Beverly Hills 90210) portrays the seductive Molly Pichon and Fannie Brett (Titanic) is Henriette. The tragic-comic version of the legendary story is back at the Aero theater after a successful one-week engagement earlier this month. Produced, written and directed by William Richert (Winter Kills and A Night In The Life of Jimmy Reardon). Executive Producers are Jerry Seltzer and Mark Terry. Gloria Pryor is Co-Producer. "THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK" was financed on a cash budget less than 3,500,000. Nearly four million dollars were deferred by its actors, crew, lab technicians and designers. "THE THREE MUSKETEERS MEET THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK" BEGINS LIMITED RUN FEBRUARY 26th page two of two "I wanted to make a movie Dumas would make, and Dumas never succumbed to the restrictions of money, nor did his Musketeers. Not outlaws or guerillas, we put our talent and expertise in place of money, " says Richert. "Therefore we had only ourselves to answer to creatively." Costume designer Salvador Perez, (wardrobe master on James Cameron's Titanic and costume designer for the Fox hit Soul Food), designed and made dozens of costumes for the film - many sewn by hand. Cinematographer William Barber also served as head camera operator on Face Off. Film editor Andre Vaillancourt is an expert in 17th Century French history. Production designer Jacques Hebert decorated the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, California into a million-dollar set. The hand-forged "iron mask" was created by John Fifer whose makeup and effects lab design faces for Star Trek. Notes Executive Producer Jerry Seltzer, "We think our maverick approach to filmmaking fits perfectly with the independence of the Aero Theatre, which like other small theaters across the country may be in danger of becoming a 'jeans boutique.' The blockbusters bypass these theater jewels for shopping malls. Many are quitting the exhibition business altogether." Alexandre Dumas (1802-70) whose father was the illegitimate son of a Marquis and a Negro woman of the West Indies, became a General in the French Revolution. One of the most prolific writers of his time, he produced nearly one thousand books and articles. None was more beloved than "THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK," the story of an orphaned prince locked in the dungeons of the Bastille, while his evil twin brother rules as the corrupt Louis XIV of France. Screenwriter Richert has written his own version of the novel, as other filmmakers have done before him. The 1939 version won nine Academy Awards. The Aero Theater is located at 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica. For more information about the film and media relations, contact Gretchen Eichholz,