The Man Who Would Be King ***** (1975, Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer) – Classic Film Review 1401

Co-writer/director John Huston’s great 1975 historical adventure unites Sean Connery (as Danny Dravot) with Michael Caine (as Peachy Carnehan), both of them perfectly cast as British army buddies who get elected as deities in 1880s India. It’s thrilling, old-fashioned escapist entertainment and a lovely showcase for the contrasting talents of the two British screen icons.

Danny and Peachy are former sergeants, rogue ex-non-commissioned officers of the Indian Army, who stay on in India in a life as conmen. But then they set off in search of adventure to the uncharted land of Kafiristan to find fame and fortune as the first Europeans there since Alexander the Great. They end up as kings, but their quest to forge their own kingdom finally becomes a nightmare.

Huston’s version of Rudyard Kipling’s yarn is a rousing triumph. It is clearly sympathetic material for Huston and the nimble and adroit star pair, who perform especially sparkily. Meanwhile, another idea performer, Christopher Plummer, does extremely well as Kipling himself. Saeed Jaffrey, Jack May, Albert Moses, Paul Antrim and Graham Acres also appear.

Oswald Morris’s gorgeous cinematography, Alexander Trauner’s art direction, Maurice Jarre’s score and Edith Head’s costume designs all contribute to the movie’s glorious epic feel.

The film was shot at Pinewood Studios and on location in France and Morocco. It was a long-term labour of love for Huston, who first planned the film back in the 1950s with Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable, but they died in 1957 and 1960. Later, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas were to star, followed by Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole. In the 1970s, Huston approached Robert Redford and Paul Newman, who said British actors should play the roles, recommending Connery and Caine

Michael Caine married his co-star playing Roxanne, the actress Shakira Baksh, who was the former Miss Guyana beauty queen, in 1973.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 1401

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