The Man Who Would Be King

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2009)

From director John Huston (The African Queen), this is a brilliantly majestic film with two of the best British actors in history, based on the story by Rudyard Kipling. Basically after finishing their duty in India, ex-soldiers Daniel Dravot (Sir Sean Connery) and Peachy Carnehan (Sir Michael Caine) decide to buy twenty Martini rifles to use for taking over villages in Kafristan, and they face a few challenges along the way, such as difficult terrain, hostile natives, freezing temperatures and an avalanche. The eventually find the small village Urheb, where they meet to-be translator Billy Fish (Saeed Jaffrey) and Ootah (Doghmi Larbi), and they train the natives to conquer village after village. During a battle, Daniel pulls an arrow out of his armour, and the gullible natives believe he must be a God, and begin to worship him. Daniel and Peachy decide to use this to their advantage, and rule the the country, as the pretend son of Segunda ("Alexander"), and with all the gold and gems, may leave and become rich. It is apparent though that Daniel does not want to leave, Peachy thinks he is foolish, but still agrees to lead him up the isle so he can marry local girl Roxanne (Shakira Caine, Michael's wife). When she bites his face, and he bleeds, they all realise he is human, and they kill him cutting the bridge, while Peachy was crucified, but released after living a whole day, and back to England a year later he tells this story to Rudyard Kipling (Christopher Plummer), and brings the head of the man who became King of Kafristan. Also starring Karroom Ben Bouih as Kafu Selim, Jack May as District Commissioner, Mohammad Shamsi as Babu and Paul Antrim as Mulvaney. Both Connery and Caine are perfect and magnificent in their roles, the story does show greed and need for power, but also that even while deceiving, there is some good to be done. There are great memorable scenes, accompanied by sly dialogue and a stirring music score by Golden Globe nominated Maurice Jarre, a must see period adventure. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing and Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material, and it was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. Outstanding!