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1975
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THE
MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
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STARRING:MICHAEL
CAINE,SEAN CONNERY,CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, SAEED JAFFREY,DOGHMI LARBI,KAROOM
BEN BOUIH,SHAKIRA CAINE
BASED
ON THE SHORT STORY BY RUDYARD KIPLING
SCREENPLAY
BY GLADYS HILL & JOHN HUSTON
PRODUCED
BY JOHN FOREMAN
DIRECTED
BY JOHN HUSTON
GENRE:ADVENTURE/DRAMA
RATED:AUSTRALIA:PG/UK:PG/USA:PG
RUNNING
TIME:129 MIN
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The
Man Who Would Be King begins in India
where Kipling (Christopher Plummer), the editor of the Northern Star
newspaper, is approached by a diseased riddled Indian man who introduces
himself as former acquaintance Peachy Carnahan (Michael Caine). Three
years previously Peachy and his partner Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery)
- members of the British Royal Army and fellow Freemasons - were to
be deported from India due to their criminal behaviour which included
(but was not limited to) grifting and gun running. Not wanting to
return to a dour life back home, Carnahan and Dravot think up a dubious
plan where they will travel to the far off land of Karfristan, side
with a warring tribe, vanquish their enemies and then proceed to loot
the land piece by piece. Labelled as madmen by Kipling (who is also
a fellow Freemason), Carnahan and Dravot were never the less persistent
in their quest even going so far to write up a contract which would
assure the goals for their mission will be upheld (these include abstinence
from alcohol and sex). Disguising themselves as Indians they leave
for Karfristan, travelling through the punishing Afghanistan desert,
past raging rivers and across snowy mountainous terrain, facing death
at every turn. When they finally reach Kafristan they set out with
their plan and side with a primitive tribe to whom they proclaim to
be heaven sent and promise victory over their enemies. They travel
from village to village defeating tribes, looting them and then offering
their services to the men they had just defeated. Quickly Carnahan
and Dravot create a nation of people under their rule, yet things
get complicated when Dravot is mistaken for a God, an idea he takes
to which creates a strain in his relationship with Carnahan and a
wrench in their plans.
The Man Who Would Be King contains the type of old school,
epic movie making that has sadly gone astray over the last few decades.
Featuring mesmerising locations, great cinematography, high achievements
in set design and costume, hundreds of extras and a riveting screenplay
by Gladys Hill and director John Huston (based on the short story
by Rudyard Kipling), Huston has crafted a fun and wild adventure movie
which takes the viewer to the far corners of the civilised world where
old testament style customs still reign supreme, showing how two men
can exploit the power, gullibility and danger of primitive religion
to suit their greed.
Michael Caine and Sean Connery are great as two larrikins spreading
English customs and morals throughout a primitive part of the world.
The chemistry between both actors is electric. It is a wonder as to
why they did not team up again since they could have easily been the
UK equivalent to the USA's Newman and Redford. The charm and humour
that both men possess are shown in spades throughout the film. While
watching The Man Who Would Be King it is clear that one of
the main differences between this movie and other epic adventure productions
is the humour found within its two main characters. Watch Caine try
to keep his vow of celibacy while fending off the advancements of
a half naked woman and try not to laugh during the initial battle
scene that is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a group of travelling
holy men. No movie in recent memory- with perhaps the exception of
the Pirates of the Caribbean series - has been cheeky
enough to undermine huge battle sequences with such comedic timing
without it turning into a full blown farce.
A unique movie experience, brilliantly brought to life by Huston and
exceptionally well played by Caine and Connery. |
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