Tribute to John Huston (1906-1987) 2006 / The Man Who Would Be King / USA 1975
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.
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.
129 min / Color, 35 mm
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.
Carlotta Films
9 Passage de la Boule Blanche, 75012, Paris
France
Phone: +33 1 422 410 86
Fax: +33 1 422 416 78
E-mail: [email protected]
Hollywood Classics
Suite 31, Beaufort Court, Admirals Way, E14 9XL, London
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 207 517 7525
E-mail: [email protected]
Bontonfilm, a.s.
Na Poříčí 1047/26, 110 00, Praha 1
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 257 415 111
E-mail: [email protected]
First-hand brews throughout the year.
Be among the first to learn about upcoming events and other news. We only send the newsletter when we have something to say.
