The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
Rudyard Kipling’s epic of splendour, spectacle and high adventure at the top of a legendary world
Director - John Huston
Writers - John Huston & Gladys Hill – screenplay
Rudyard Kipling – Story
Starring - Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey, Doghmi Larbi, Jack May, Karroom Ben Bouih, Mohammad Shamsi, Albert Moses, Paul Antrim, Graham Acres, Shakira Caine,
Review by The_Void
An epic masterpiece
Based on a short story by Rudyard Kipling, The Man Who Would Be King tells the story of two friends; Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine) and Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery) that go to Kafiristan in order to rule the country as kings and become rich in the process. The tale itself if relatively simple, but through great storytelling, the film is lifted into the realms of the masterpiece. The Man Who Would Be King tells a story on two levels; on the one hand, it's an epic masterpiece, spanning across Asia and embracing the Eastern culture, but on the other hand; it's a simple tale of two friends that are out for all they can get. The film switches between the two sides of it's story with great ease, and the smaller, more intimate side of the story is actually complimented by the epic battle sequences that run alongside it.
This movie is headed by two of the very finest actors of all time - Sean Connery and Michael Caine (both British too, I might add). The two have a great chemistry, and seeing them on screen together is an absolute treat. Both actors have a very defined style as to how they act and how their lines are delivered; in fact, they're perhaps two of the most defined styles ever, and they play off each brilliantly to give fantastic performances in this movie. Michael Caine always seems to be more willing to give a better performance when he is on screen with another fine actor, and they don't come much finer than Sean Connery. The great John Huston directs the movie, and this is easily one of his best movies. In fact, I rate it as his number one colour film. He's got a good story to work with, and he makes the best of it, not to mention that he gets the best from his cast. Many of the locations are fabulous and the battle sequences, although not on the same scale as some other films of the same nature, are well choreographed and an epic sense is captured through the utilisation of many extras.
This film is a masterpiece. All the players have come together to create a film that is both intimate, intelligent, interesting and on a massive scale all at the same time. A must see.
Review by Theo Robertson
At Last A Film That Deserves Connery And Caine,
It’s not often a 70s flick starring either Sean Connery or Michael Caine can be described as good, never mind great but THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING is a great film. It’s a good old fashioned romp set during Britain’s imperial past without a hint of cynicism, and with lashings of humour: " Corporal get three men and put him under close arrest. The bloody fool’s drunk again “. John Huston keeps a solid hand at the director’s helm and the scenery is breathtaking. And after watching this you’ll be asking yourself why neither Connery or Caine didn’t appear in more movies this good
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