The Man Who Would Be King is still in my list of favorite movies to watch. I still recall seeing it with my father when it came out in 1975. John Huston tried to launch the movie version of The Man Who Would Be King many times to no avail. The movie was conceived as a vehicle for Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart in the fifties; how interesting would that have been? Sadly, Bogart died before the movie could be made.

Huston considered someone who could replace Bogart, but then Gable passed away. The movie was later re-imagined by Huston as a vehicle for Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, and later for Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole. Burton and O’Toole are still in my list of favorite British actors. Finally Huston looked at Robert Redford and Paul Newman, but Newman suggested Sir Sean Connery and Sir Michael Caine. Any of those picks would have been fantastic. Huston did a wonderful job directing The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, so it’s no wonder that he pulled off directing The Man Who Would be King. 

The movie is a mesmerizing adventure film that stands as a testament to the timeless talents of the legendary Sean Connery and Michael Caine. The movie is based on the novella of the same name by Rudyard Kipling, transporting audiences to a captivating world of ambition, brotherhood, and conquest. I never knew that actor Christopher Plummer played Kipling in the movie, until I was much older.

Set against the stunning backdrop of 19th-century British India, the story revolves around two former British soldiers, Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery) and Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine), who dream of achieving greatness and wealth beyond their wildest imaginations. Fueled by their shared ambition, they embark on a perilous journey into the uncharted territories of Kafiristan, a remote and mystical land untouched by European influence.

Sean Connery’s portrayal of Daniel Dravot is nothing short of masterful. With his commanding presence and captivating charisma, Connery effortlessly brings depth and complexity to the character. Dravot’s transformation from a mere soldier to a revered deity among the Kafiristan people is a mesmerizing arc, and Connery’s performance captures every nuance of the character’s conflicting emotions and desires.

The chemistry between Connery and his co-star, Michael Caine, is another highlight of the film. Their camaraderie and banter infuse the story with moments of humor, making their bond all the more engaging and heartfelt. Together, they exude a magnetic charm that draws the audience into their grand adventure. Saeed Jaffrey does a great job playing the character Billy Fish, and there is a great final scene of him with sword in hand. 

The film’s production design and cinematography are equally captivating. The lush landscapes of Morocco stand in for the exotic Kafiristan, immersing viewers in a visually stunning world of breathtaking mountains and ancient ruins. John Huston’s direction ensures that every scene is meticulously crafted, and the attention to detail shines through in every frame.

As the narrative unfolds, “The Man Who Would Be King” explores themes of ambition, power, and the consequences of hubris. The tale delves deep into the human desire for greatness, exposing the potential dangers of overreaching and the cost of pursuing one’s dreams at any cost.

While the film embraces the spirit of adventure and swashbuckling escapades, it also touches upon the complexities of colonialism and cultural imperialism. The clash between European influence and the indigenous Kafiristan culture adds layers of depth and relevance to the story, making it more than just an action-packed adventure.

The Man Who Would Be King is an enthralling cinematic masterpiece that showcases the incomparable talents of Sean Connery and his co-star Michael Caine. 50 years later, and this movie is still an exciting pleasure to watch.

Trivia

• Michael Caine has said that his all-time favorite poem is “If” by Rudyard Kipling, author of the original story on which this film if based.
• Peter O’Toole was asked to play Rudyard Kipling.
• This is the second time that real-life friends Sir Michael Caine and Sir Sean Connery have appeared on-screen together. They first appeared together in Requiem for a Heavyweight (1957), a BBC adaptation of the teleplay by Rod Serling, in which Connery played the boxer, Mountain McClintock, and Caine appeared in one scene as another fighter who stepped into the ring with him. Connery and Caine also appeared in A Bridge Too Far (1977).
• In one scene, in which Peachy Carnehan and Daniel Dravot are called to answer to a local official in colonial India on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail. They enter and exit the scene as military men under command of “former Gunnery Sergeant” Carnehan, with him giving commands such as “Hats Off!”, “About Turn!”, and “Left Turn!”. This was Michael Caine’s idea, inspired by the routine of command during his National Service in the British Army, and intended to show that although formally discharged from service they take pride in having been soldiers in the British Indian Army.
• In one scene, in which Peachy Carnehan and Daniel Dravot are called to answer to a local official in colonial India on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail. They enter and exit the scene as military men under command of “former Gunnery Sergeant” Carnehan, with him giving commands such as “Hats Off!”, “About Turn!”, and “Left Turn!”. This was Michael Caine’s idea, inspired by the routine of command during his National Service in the British Army, and intended to show that although formally discharged from service they take pride in having been soldiers in the British Indian Army.
• The “Making-of” featurette on the DVD contains footage of Sir Sean Connery performing the fall from the bridge stunt. He fell approximately one hundred feet to the bottom of the ravine, before his fall was broken by a big pile of cardboard boxes. In his 2010 book, “The Elephant to Hollywood”, Sir Michael Caine reports on page 150, “The real hero then took his (Sir Sean Connery) place. Joe Powell was an experienced stuntman. Joe fell so skillfully, twisting and turning on the way down, and at the very last minute straightening himself out so that he hit the mattresses dead center. John Huston turned to me and said, ‘That was the darnedest stunt I’ve ever seen.'”

*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.