Kings of the Sun ** (1963, Yul Brynner, George Chakiris, Shirley Anne Field) – Classic Movie Review 6472

Unfortunately, Elliott Arnold and James R Webb’s screenplay stretches credibility to the hilt and beyond in director J Lee Thompson’s elaborate 1963 historical drama about the ancient Mayan civilisation, in which Yul Brynner strikes beefcake poses in a loincloth as the leader a tribe of Native Americans, Chief Black Eagle.

George Chakiris seems unhappy as the young Mayan King Balam, who brings his tribe to Texas to escape barbarians. They build a home in the new land but clash with Black Eagle and his tribe.

Both Balam and Black Eagle fall in love the beautiful Mayan princess Ixchel. Shirley Anne Field fares no better in a rare Hollywood part as Ixchel, who becomes Balam’s fiancée.

However, Kings of the Sun is spectacularly staged though by British director Thompson in Mexico, and beautifully shot in colour by cinematographer Joe MacDonald. Key scenes were filmed at the pyramid at Chichen Itza.

Also in the cast are Richard Basehart as Ah Min, Brad Dexter as Ah Haleb, Barry Morse as Ah Zok, Armando Silvestre, Leo Gordon, Victora Vetri, Rudi Solari and Ford Rainey.

It is produced by Lewis J Rachmil, scored by Elmer Bernstein and designed by Alfred Ybarra.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6472

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