The Man Who Would Be King (Widescreen Edition)

This movie follows the adventure of Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnahan, two rakish ne'er-do-wells in the British Army in India. They leave the service, and, alone, they pack guns and supplies and head north to Kafiristan, a distant and mysterious land they've only heard tales about, to become Kings, and plunder the kingdom.

When they arrive, they pit warring communities against each other. During battle, Connery's character is mistaken for a god when he is shot (in his leather bandolier), and doesn't bleed. As a result, he is made King. He is brought to the Holy City, where the holy men mistake him for "Son of Sekander," that is, the Son of Alexander The Great. They prostrate themselves before him, and give him access to Alexander's treasure, which they have guarded for centuries.

Instead of taking the money and running, however, Connery gets big-headed, gets to liking the role of King, and wants to stay and administer his kingdom, which he does, and does well, it seems.

As you would expect, that's not the end of the story...but I don't want to give any more away.

This movie is also humorous. It certainly isn't a comedy, but the heroes joke with one another, and the humor arises from their relationship, their fondness for one another, not from improbably comic situations.

This is a grand movie that treats grand themes, and it is worth seeing over and over again. I can't recommend it enough.


Danny and Peachy capture your heart   January 19, 2003
Deborah MacGillivray (US & UK)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, John Houston....four of the biggest talents of our lifetime that came together to give you very special film. One so emotionally moving and involving I have a very hard time watching it, but then I likely hold the Guinness records on repeat views for Braveheart...so I tell myself I won't watch it again, but end up doing it.

Based on a Rudyard Kipling story, it is full of exotic locates, adventure, and such warm humour, under the master John Houston's direction. Houston had this in mind originally for Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart (not to knock them, but total miscasting), then later was going to do it with Butch and Sundance (Paul Newman and Robert Redford in typically Hollywood style of going for names rather than perfect actors for the roles). Fortunately, Newman had the insight to pass on it and suggested going with the pairing that was absolute perfect as Danny and Peachy.

Caine had showed as Bromhead in Zulu, that he had the proper mien for a man in a red coat and pith helmet, and we know Connery can do anything given the crack. Since both are personal friends off screen, their on screen charisma comes is amplified by the fact the two men who actually like each other, giving good foundation in which to bring Danny and Peachy alive.

Danny and Peachy decide they have had enough with soldering for the British Empire and think it a marvellous idea to go forth into the world and find a forgotten corner and create their own,
and the most forgotten place they can find on the map is Kafiristan. There they plan to become rich as kings. It is a super adventure getting there, but after the reach the small country, the lark turns into something more, with Danny taking being King Quite serious.

Look for a cameo of Mrs. Caine playing the woman to wed Connery.
It just does not get any better than this, with fine fine acting, writing and directing. Just have a hankie near for the ending.


Fantastic movie, confounding DVD   April 4, 2006
M. Eberley (Modesto, CA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

In response to Anne V. Hammond's review, the DVD release does, in fact, end abruptly partially through the film. Turning the disc over continues the movie where it left off. One wouldn't know this unless they made a guess. The disc itself reads 'reverse side additional content', which would suggest that extra or special features were on the other side, not the rest of the movie.

Why they did this? I can't quite say. Considering the DVD release is presented in mono with no fancy video or audio overhead that would prevent a movie from being fitted on one side of a disc, it really makes no sense.

The DVD release is also plagued with menus that are difficult to read (menu options printed over graphics which makes making out the printed text a chore to make out).

Shame, really, because this is without a doubt one of the finest movies ever made.

It is a 5 star film, but it's a shining example of poor presentation and little thought in the DVD release.

I should note that the video transfer on the DVD is just fine, just the way they put it on there that's bad.


"It was detriments like us that built this bloody Empire!"   January 26, 2003
Steven Y. (Marvel Universe 616)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

John Huston's The Man Who Would Be King is a film that both celebrates the adventuresome spirit of the nineteenth-century and illustrates everything that was wrong with British colonialism. The film is based upon the famous Rudyard Kipling tale and follows the exploits of Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine) and Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery). The two men hatch a plan where they will travel to Kafiristan and employ their wits and battle knowledge to become kings of Kafiristan. Skirmish after skirmish ensues and after one particular battle, Dravot survives being shot by an arrow and is presumed to be a god. Peachy and Dravot exploit this misunderstanding to the fullest and use their new stature to plunder the riches of Kafiristan. However, Dravot soon falls victim to his own human frailties and both he and Peachy are exposed as the frauds that they are. The rise and fall of Peachy and Dravot mirrors in microcosm the actual rise and fall of the British Colonial Empire itself. The subjugation of the natives leads to a brutal reckoning once the con men's motives are revealed to be less than noble just like the brutal reckoning the Empire experienced when the rest of the world adopted a more enlightened stance toward colonies the world over. In this sense, The Man Who Would Be King functions as a cautionary tale on the dual evils of racism and exploitation. Don't get the sense that this film is a heavy-handed "message" film though. Much credit must be given to Huston for managing to keep this film an adventuresome piece of mainstream entertainment despite its darker elements. Caine and Connery give great star turns as the dishonest schemers and we're overjoyed to be accompanying them on their treacherous journey into Kafiristan. When the film is over, we're depressed that their endless enthusiasm couldn't have been directed to more noble pursuits, but we're still glad we took the journey with them.


Love the movie, hate the DVD...   May 12, 2005
John H. Kalin (Blacksburg, VA United States)
14 out of 21 found this review helpful

It seems to be a common complaint, but I am still amazed how willing some people are to overlook the flaws of the dvd and give it 5 stars. A two-sided DVD is simply inexcusable, it's not an exceptionally long movie, nor does it have an exceptional amount of special features. I remain convinced that if it were so inclined it could easily fit both the feature and the special features on one side of one DVD. Anyway, am I the only one who likes to get situated and comfortable when watching a movie? flipping it an hour into the movie is incredibly annoying.... and yes, I'm picky enough to give this movie the worst possible rating simply for that