Kings of the Sun
Tags: romantic, murder

Plot synopsis:
Balam (George Chakiris) is the son of the ruler of a Mayan tribe who use wooden swords (with obsidian edges). His father is killed in battle against metal-blade armed rivals led by Hunac Ceel (Leo Gordon). Balam succeeds to the throne, but is convinced by his advisers, including the head priest, to lead his followers away from the Yucatán, sail to the American Gulf Coast region, so they might regain their strength and fight again another day.
Balam's party comes to a coastal settlement with many boats. Balam wants the population of the settlement to join him with their boats. The settlement's chief agrees if Balam agrees to marry his daughter, Ixchel (Shirley Anne Field), and make her Queen. Balam agrees.
The new land they arrive in is a province occupied by a Native American tribe led by Black Eagle (Yul Brynner). They are none too pleased about these strange, uninvited immigrants. In a small raid to capture one of the Mayans, Black Eagle is wounded and taken captive to the Mayans' fortified settlement. Balam's love interest Ixchel tends to the Indian's wounds and gains an interested suitor, one who is more forthcoming with his love for her.
Balam is under pressure to resume their custom of human sacrifice by sacrificing Black Eagle. Balam has always been against the policy of human sacrifice and sets Black Eagle free.
Eventually, the two leaders agree to coexist in peace. However, they quarrel, and the Native Americans depart, just as Hunac Ceel finds Balam and his people. Hunac Ceel's army mounts a furious attack, but is eventually defeated by the united front of Indians and the transplanted Mayans. Black Eagle is killed in the fighting, resolving the love triangle.

Review: "Kings of the Sun" is the story of a civilization burst into full flower In their profound desire to win favor from the deities, the Mayans made human sacrifice the keystone of their religion Keeping the Buddhist monk hairstyle as his trademark, Brynner easily steals the show with his virile personality, distinctive look, speech and mannerism He is Black Eagle, the barbarian chief who comes to the defense of the Mayans George Chakiris plays Balam, the jaguar, king and son of kings to the ninth generation Although in spite of being young and brave and untried, Chakiris lacks the heroic stature with which the role might have been satisfied Shirley Anne Field is the delicate Ixchel who would never leave Black Eagle except if he ever used to tell her that he loved her Richard Basehart is the high priest who tried to make the king understand that he cannot bring this new life to his people without giving a life For a thousand years they've been bound by this law The gods cannot be cheated Leo Gordon is the tyrant Hunac Kell His strength is a sword of metal and the Mayans are powerless against it Filmed beautifully in Chichén Itzá, Yucatán  Mexico, J.
Assembled for the cast are Yul Brynner as Chief Black Eagle, George Chakiris as a Mayan Chiefton, Richard Basehart as a Mayan Priest and Shirley Anne Field as Ixchel, a beautiful princess.
The film depicts the story of a Mayan people amid its cultural throes in which Chakiris, replaces their dying king, but is forced to flee by a deadly rival menacingly played by Leo Gordon.
Commandering an entire peaceful Mayan tribe on the hinterland of the Yucatan and sailing to the shores of America, Chakiris not only establishes a new beginning for his following, but collides culturally with Brenner and his Native American tribe.
He is terrific as Black Eagle, a heroic chief of the Indian tribe who, at first, is hostile towards the new invaders; consequently, he is to be sacrificed to the God of Waters, and finally, finds himself in the absolutely unexpected circumstances.
I admit that other cast do fine jobs, including George Chakiris as king Balam and Richard Basehart as priest Ah Min, but Brynner absolutely rocks.
What sort of sacrifice?" Yet, nothing draws your attention to profoundity or history - all is there around adventure goal, like in other films of the time, including THE VIKINGS (1958) by Richard Fleischer or THE LONG SHIPS (1964) by Jack Cardiff.
KINGS OF THE SUN, for entertainment's sake, is really a rousing adventure.The last interesting aspect of the movie I'd like to mention is its musical score which is really memorable, not very easy to tune but fits well to the scenes and the entire spirit of the movie.
When you do see it, in these old films, it now looks ludicrous and takes away from the seriousness of the movie.Yul Brynner, however, is one guy who could get away with it.
Barry Morse ("Ah Zok") will forever be typecast as "Lt. Girard" the man who harassed for years TV's "The Fugitive." Meanwhile, there is film-TV-tough guy Leo Gordon as "Hunac Kell" and Shirley Anne Field as "Ixchel." Field is beautiful and looks the part, but a British accent in Mayan territory?
It was filmed in the Yucatan, so the scenery is real - not some studio back lot.In the story, Balam's Mayans get pushed out of their area by a war-mongering neighbor, led by Kell.
This would be just an average studio movie but for a clever premise (Mayans flee across the Gulf of Mexico to establish a community in North America) and Yul Brynner's stunning screen presence.
When I first saw the movie, I loved the climactic battle scene but now I relish the human drama in Yul Brynner's character most.
I wish someone would put it on video or dvd because I would love to add it to my collection along with a lot of other Yul Brynner's movies that nobody seems to have wanted to cash in on.
I haven't seen the trailer for this movie, but I'm sure the words "Cast of Thousands" must have splashed across the screen in giant red letters."Kings of the Sun" is a costume melodrama with all the declaiming, strutting around, and general overacting characteristic of all the other costume melodramas produced in the late fifties and early sixties.
The setting in pre-Columbian America doesn't really do all that much to distinguish it from the biblical epics filmed in the same period, and Yul Brynner's portrayal of an Indian chief is pretty much the same as his portrayal of an Egyptian pharaoh.Neither George Chakiris as the Maya king nor love interest Shirley Ann Field bear any resemblance at all to Mayans, of course, but nobody in 1963 would have expected they would.
It describes the flight of the Mayans after military defeat at the hands of their Toltec enemies,and their settlement in what is now the Southwestern USA .They form an alliance with the Apaches ,headed by Yul Byrnner and together they unite to resist the pursuing Toltecs.This is despite the conflict between Brynner and the head of the Mayans ,played by George Chakiris ,over the favours of the Apache princess played by Shirley Ann Field .
Brynner lends his considerable presence to the role of the Apache chieftain and easily overshadows Chakiris in the acting stakes ,while Field is ridiculously miscast .Some attempt is made to give the characters modern resonance by having Chakiris make a stand against human sacrifice but neither characterisation nor script is really the issue here This is movie dominated by action and spectacle .The battle scenes are well staged and the sets are magnificent with some striking location photography ,shot in Chicen Itza ,Mazatlan and Yucatan ,being a definite bonus Low marks for intellect but its fun movie making and while cheesy its also enjoyable.
And yes, the final battle with the native indians coming to the aid of the Mayans (no place to run this time!)I now realize this movie is not on video, but does anyone have a copy of their own somehow, that would be willing to make other copies?
So, George Chakiris, fresh from his West Side Story triumph and Yul Brynner, known now from a number of hits, are pitched against each other in a sixty's version of a martial arts film.
Veteran character actors like Barry Morse (Gerard of The Fugitive), Brad Dexter, Richard Basehart and Ford Rainey are seen sprinkled among the good guys and classic Villain, Leo Gordon heads the bad guys.
The beautiful Shirley Anne Field offers the feminine interest in a departure from her roles in grade B movies and adds to the pageantry of the film.
This film broke new ground in its telling of culture clash in the New World many years before the arrival of the White Man. Made in 1963, the slowly changing face of race and minority relationships was just beginnng so for the first time in major motion picture history we have a "historical epic" between just the good old indians around with nary a cowboy in sight.
A few years ago my older brother brought up Kings of the Sun as we were talking about old movies.
Not since this movie came out in the theaters have I seen it,sixteen years old I stayed to see it twice.Being part of a basic downtown Oakland movie crowd the battle scenes went a long way to getting my thumbs up.After so many years of viewing Indians vs pioneers ,vs cavalry,vs davy crockett and old Betsy, vs etc.....here was a movie where all characters were Indians.Along with this different storyline and non-Indian actors I had to remind myself the first 1/3 of the movie"This is a movie about Indians vs Indians".Then to really make things different all the tribes seem to be situated south of El Paso.At the time I was aware there had been Aztecs in Mexico,it was much later that I heard of the Mayas,Toltecs,Olmecs,Mextecs and others.For that reason while viewing this movie I thought maybe Cortez and the Castillian hordes might come on the scene all of a sudden and go into their pillage and plunder act.Instead the enemy consisted of Leo Gordon and his hordes.The costumes,weapons and structures make this a movie about Indians.The movie is o.k. overall,the obvious non-Indian cast was a little difficult for me to take.Although Yul Brynner had a strong Olmec look his portrayal had some shortcomings.The most obvious one being when he has been captured.He's binded with long lengths of rope or leather ,the ends are being held by some guys about fifteen feet away.With a wild look on his face for every step he goes forward he lurches 3 or 4 sideways.More like he's a wild animal than a human being,maybe he got caught up in all the pounding drum beating,that'll do it every time.He also does his share of posing and posturing which all-in-all I think is his way of showing he's a proud savage warrior.Yul is a good guy and I've enjoyed him in other movies but watching him in this movie I can only think of one word-Ham.Despite that this movie is worth a look for being so different..
They travel to the Americas and at first, battle with a Native American tribe, led by Yul Brynner, who is at his usual flawless best, and when George Chakiris's rival follows him to the Americas, the final battle sequences are up there with other classics like ZULU and THE BUCCANEER.
So, I think it's time to call a spade a spade - bad movie, fondly remembered for all the wrong reasons by people who can't wait to come here and post that they loved it as a kid and why isn't it on DVD.
Kings of the Sun refers to the 2 Indian chiefs played by Chakiris and Brynner.
Intriguing side plots arise from the Mayan's tradition of human sacrifices, and a love triangle develop between the 2 chiefs and a Mayan princess.Brynner is just superb in this movie.
The movie is worth watching just to see him strut across the screen!Chakiris in comparison seems miscast as the Mayan chief.
That said, this movie offers some fascinating portrayal of early Mayan/Indian life, complete with realistic temple and village settings.
I really liked this movie and am interested in Mayan culture.
This is one of the few movies I have ever seen on the subject.I have not seen the Kings of the Sun in any video store and it has been several year since the movie was released on television.I was impressed by the casting of Yul Brynner and George Chakiris in the roles of Mayan leaders and feel it should be shown again as a classic movie.As I remember correctly (it's been a long time since 1963) the movie was well presented and the color was beautiful with the costumes and background showing Mayan temples and villages..
All this time I thought the movie title was "Kings under the sun"!
Yul Brynner as a chief of one tribe and the other actor (who portrayed the rival New York 50s era gang as a Puerto Rican that starred Natalie Wood in "The west side story") as the leader of another tribe.
This one is truly a poor motion picture, for all the reasons some reviewers have indicated: awful script and dialogs, inaccuracy of several sorts, corny costumes and settings, unbelievable hair styles, Caucasian actors playing natives of the American continent, and very bad acting, especially from Yul Brynner who overdid the macho number he created for the King of Siam, posing as if he were doing a photo shoot for "Tomorrow's Man" or any other male physique magazine of the 1960s Today it seems worse, with everybody speaking the same language (English), but with different USA accents, except Shirley Anne Field who did her best British phrasing.
:-( Believe it or not, Yul Brynner makes a very believable Indian,given his heritage from central Asia, and the plot is very interesting in that it could have actually happened from the standpoint of the advanced state of the Maya at that time.
Have been searching for it for years - was told it was not released - can't believe that - great story line - great location - was so new and a fresh perspective on the "cowboy and Indian" theme - I think it was just to far ahead of it's time.....
Kings of The Sun. I saw this Movie on the big screen and several times over the years on TV, have always wanted it....I Loved it....Yul Brenner, carried out His Role as Black eagle, just the way A King would....He Strutted...His first appearance on the beach, jumping and leaning on the tree to see the strange boat on his beach was classic Brenner...the rest of The cast did great as well.
By the way i got a great copy on DVD, a Japanese release.......the Story...An ancient south American Culture, living peacefully is swallowed up by a Rampaging Conqueror, the King is Killed, Balin His Son must, lead His people....he decides to un and fight another day.To A fishing village and then to seas north and the unknown..they land and began building a new, not knowing they are bieng watched...the threat of war, friendship and Love ensue...And then an old Enemy finds them..a climatic battle ensues...Who Survives....the Good Guys of Course, but not without loss....
J. Lee Thompson making another adventure, working this time with a great gifted actor who was Yul Brynner and the extremely talented Richard Basehart of Fellini's "La Strada".
But if "La Strada" is probably the best movie of all time, this one it's just a show of hundreds of extras dressed in some costumes that should look like ancient Maya, fighting on a seashore.
"Kings of the Sun" is a highly fictionalized story about the Mayan civilization of central America.
It stars Yul Brynner, George Chakiris and Shirley Anne Field.
Photography is by Joseph Macdonald and the music scored by Elmer Bernstein.When the Mayan tribe are attacked by Hunac Ceel's (Leo Gordon) army, the King is killed and his son Balam (Chakiris) succeeds the throne.
They need to work it out one way or another because Hunac Ceel and his army are on their way to finish the Mayan's off for good.As with many other historical epics, Kings of the Sun is no history lesson.
Brynner is panther like in movements, and able to exude the raw emotion required for the role of Black Eagle.Other strong points in the film are Bernstein's score, which lands in the ears and rattles the brain with historical thunder, Macdonald's "Panavision" photography around the exotic Mexico locations, and the battle sequence for the big finale.
I liked this film very much for the following reasons: Number 1) Yul Brynner.
Bearing that in mind, Chakiris flees to fight another day.The new hybrid tribe sets up further along the coast and they meet up with Yul Brynner's tribe.
They look more like American Indians than the Chakiris crowd of Mayans do.
That threatens to rip up a new friendship, especially when Leo Gordon and his crowd comes a calling.Though Kings Of The Sun is an impressive looking film and the players all perform well, I've a feeling it was intended to be far more ambitious than what eventually came out.
Kings of The Sun was more than about one actor Yule Brynner, although he did a terrific job, this movie was about a people a culture that history had proved existed.
Kings of The Sun portrayed Mayan human sacrifice as a noble thing.
Yul Brynner offers excellent charisma in the role of Chief Black Eagle however for me the real show stealer has to be George Chakiris as king Balam , young and handsome with great charisma and great hair he suits the role of the king perfectly and Shirley Anne Field as his beloved also gives a shining performance.
The Indian chief of a resident tribe named Black Eagle ( extraordinary physique presence of Yul Brynner who personifies the romantic myth of the noble savage ) is captured by the newcomers to his land and there is dissension in the community as to whether the should be sacrificed in the ordinary way demanded by high priest (Richard Basehart) , then Balam eventually forbids sacrifice in the new land and the two peoples try a agreement with some friction .
Yul Brynner, for example, plays the chief of an unnamed Gulf Coast tribe.
Happily, some dramatic tension is restored, due to Brynner and Chakiris's rivalry over the film's only major babe, and it looks like there will be a war after all.
King George's old Maya nemesis shows up in an armada (though how the hell they could have found Chakiris's people across the Caribbean is one of the film's many mysteries).
Now there really is a war, but Brynner's people come to King George's aid and beat the bejeezus out of the invaders' forces.SPOILER!I hope it won't ruin the film for you if I reveal that Brynner is mortally wounded while fighting to protect Chakiris.
And George Chakiris is not only miscast but so bland and spiritless that it's impossible to believe that he could go mano-a-mano with Yul. Otherwise I did enjoy Kings of the Sun!
Kings of the Sun is one of the great movies of all times!!.
Kings of the Sun was also a late night TV movie years ago.
George Chakiris plays a Mayan Noble named Balam who inherits a kingdom from his father at a time when his people are being overwhelmed militarily by a rival king known as Hunac Kell, played malevolently by Leo Gordon.
I particularly liked the scene where Balam comes up with a novel Mayan way to water the crops in this new land.