Un visage derrière un masque

Autocratic ruler Louis XIV sends a mystery man into prison locked in an iron mask. This short asks the question of who and pontificates on the unjust nature of this autocratic state.

This tries to tie the classic story with the rising dictatorships in Europe. I get the premise, but it is a bit of stretching. Royalty is something to be ridiculed, but the new dictators are cruel power-mad murderous men. There are parallels to be sure. It's a matter of tone and degree. Also, one has to assume that the audience is familiar with the source material. It doesn't help that I don't like the John Nesbitt narration. One can see the early American view that these new rulers are the old royals by another name. It's a repeat, but it's more than that.