Archive of films Man Who Would Be King / The Man Who Would Be King
USA
1975, 129 min
Section:
Tribute to John Huston (1906-1987)
Year: 2006
Huston’s lifelong project about a couple of British ex-soldiers (Michael Caine and Sean Connery) who set out for a far-flung Asian province with the aim of exploiting discord among hostile tribes and ruling the land themselves. A grandiose spectacle of adventurism as well as a parody of British colonialism.
Synopsis
Kafiristan lies in the far-flung, north-western corner of Afghanistan. Two former British soldiers, Danny and Peachy, set out for the mountainous province where no one has set foot since Alexander the Great to take advantage of the warriors of the backward tribes and conquer the country. The genius of this film, John Huston’s lifelong project, lies in the fascinating combination of a grand spectacle of adventurism and the author’s personal confessions. The message of this “buddy movie” about the brief odyssey of a pair of charming scoundrels is that playing God might not pay off, but it’s a lot more exciting than a life of mediocrity out of harm’s way. Huston’s model for the film was his favourite story by Rudyard Kipling, to which he added a sardonic edge with the help of his collaborator of many years, screenwriter Gladys Hill. Creditable performances by Michael Caine and Sean Connery in the lead roles create, among other things, an exceptionally witty parody of British colonial imperialism.
Contacts
Carlotta Films
9 Passage de la Boule Blanche, 75012, Paris
France
Tel: +33 1 422 410 86
Fax: +33 1 422 416 78
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.carlottavod.com
Hollywood Classics
Suite 31, Beaufort Court, Admirals Way, E14 9XL, London
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 207 517 7525
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.hollywoodclassics.com
Bontonfilm, a.s.
Na Poříčí 1047/26, 110 00, Praha 1
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 257 415 111
Fax: +420 257 415 113
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.bontonfilm.cz
About the film
Color, 35 mm
Section: | Tribute to John Huston (1906-1987) |
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Director: | John Huston |
Screenplay: | John Huston, Gladys Hill podle povídky Rudyarda Kiplinga / from the story by Rudyard Kipling |
Dir. of Photography: | Oswald Morris |
Music: | Maurice Jarre |
Editor: | Russell Lloyd |
Producer: | John Foreman, James Arnett |
Production: | Columbia Pictures |
Cast: | Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey, Shakira Caine |
Contact: | Carlotta Films, Hollywood Classics |
Distributor: | Bontonfilm, a.s. |