Iconic masks in film
Whether they cover the entire face or just a part of it, masks have often played a central role in movies. From Zorro to the Joker, these disguises have become icons of pop culture.
A century of Zorro
The character initially appeared in US pulp literature in 1919, and "The Mark of Zorro," the first film starring the masked vigilante, was released exactly a century ago. As in many other superhero stories, the mask serves to disguise Zorro's true identity. Shown here is Antonio Banderas in a 1998 adaptation, titled "The Mask of Zorro."
A legendary Zorro: Tyrone Power
In the long history of Zorro adaptations, Tyrone Power's portrayal of the swashbuckling vigilante remains one of the most famous ones. In "The Mark of Zorro" (1940), he too wore the famous black mask that only covers the upper half of the face and still allows the hero's eyes to shine.
Rescue mission: 'Kameradschaft'
In the history of cinema, most masks have appeared in entertainment movies, but there are some exceptions. An early example is the 1931 film "Kameradschaft" (Comradeship) by Austrian director Georg Wilhelm Pabst. The drama is inspired by a historic mining accident that happened in 1906 along the border between France and Germany; in the film, the events are set right after the First World War.
Triumph of humanism: 'The Elephant Man'
US cinema has seldom produced such a moving, humanistic film. "The Elephant Man" by director David Lynch, who was still at the very beginning of his career in 1980, tells the real story of a severely deformed man, John Merrick, who avoids bullying by hiding his handicap with a mask: a linen cloth covering his entire head, with only a hole to see and breathe.
The superhero myth: 'Batman' and co.
In many modern comic books, superheroes are masked too, allowing them to do their good deeds anonymously. Like Zorro, Batman — one of DC Comics' most popular characters — only covers the upper half of his face. Shown here is George Clooney in the role, alongside Chris O'Donnell as Robin, in a film from 1997.
The woman behind the mask: 'Catwoman'
Batman's most enduring love interest, Catwoman has also long been one of his rivals, and she hides her true identity behind a mask as well. Halle Berry portrayed the anti-heroine in the sexy catsuit in 2004. Critics panned the film, but it was nevertheless a box office hit.
Cloak and dagger: 'The Man in the Iron Mask'
A great classic of the swashbuckler genre was written by Alexandre Dumas in 1844: "The Three Musketeers" was adapted into numerous movies. Similarly, his sequel novel, "The Vicomte de Bragelonne," has inspired many cloak and dagger films, including the 1998 "The Man in the Iron Mask," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, shown here looking pensively at his mask.
Masking deformities: 'The Phantom of the Opera'
Also written by a French author, the novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" has been turned into several plays and movies since its publication in 1909. As in "The Elephant Man," the Phantom of the Opera wears a mask to hide his disfigured face. Shown above is actor Gerard Butler, who starred in the title role of the 2004 film adaptation, alongside film director Joel Schumacher.
Muzzling a cannibal: 'The Silence of the Lambs'
Hannibal Lecter is a cannibalistic serial killer appearing in novels by Thomas Harris. Anthony Hopkins offered a truly terrifying interpretation of the character in "The Silence of the Lambs," the film version directed by Jonathan Demme in 1988. Lecter's mask serves to protect prison guards and visitors from being attacked; it became an iconic symbol of the movie.
Horror masks in 'Scream' and co.
Most often, masks appearing in horror movies are worn by mysterious serial killers who cover their faces as they haunt the neighborhood. Featuring a masked murderer called Ghostface, Wes Craven's black comedy slasher "Scream" from 1996 satirized the clichés of the genre and spawned a series of sequels.
An erotic accessory: 'Eyes Wide Shut'
The mask plays a completely different role in Stanley Kubrick's last film, "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999). In one of the central scenes of the film, the protagonists hide behind Venetian masks (shown above: a photo from an exhibition on Stanley Kubrick) in a mysterious orgy. A symbol of eroticism, the masks allow participants to join the sex ritual anonymously and let their fantasies run wild.
The gangster mask: 'Victoria'
A mask is also a classic accessory in gangster films, allowing criminals to act without exposing their identity. Very often, burglars have opted for a three-hole ski mask, also known as the balaclava, to cover their face. This type of mask appeared in the German film "Victoria" (2015) by director Sebastian Schipper, a crime thriller shot in a single continuous take.
Combining genres: 'V for Vendetta'
Guy Fawkes was a Catholic fanatic who attempted to blow up the English parliament in 1605. A stylized depiction of this historical figure became known as the Guy Fawkes mask. After it was featured in the dystopian political action film "V for Vendetta" in 2005, it became an icon of popular culture and started appearing in protests worldwide.
Magical powers: 'The Mask'
In "The Mask," a superhero comedy from 1994, a mysterious mask gives magical powers to a shy bank employee played by Jim Carrey. Allowing him to cartoonishly alter his appearance, the mask turns the insecure man into a superhero. In this case, the mask leads to a crazy film trip.
Make-up as a mask: 'Joker'
Finally, the "Joker," which won Venice's Golden Lion and two Oscars, was an outstanding success in 2019. As the title character, actor Joaquin Phoenix isn't directly wearing a mask; he rather alters his identity through make-up. But following the release of the film, clown masks inspired by his Joker, seen as an anti-establishment symbol, also started appearing in protests.