The Man Who Would Be King

"The Man Who Would Be King" is on the short list of my favorite films. John Huston's love & dedication to this project really shines through (he had to wait 25-30 years to make it & then almost died making it)in his script & direction. Caine & Connery ARE Peachy & Danny (I'm sorry--I can't see Bogart & Gable) in what I see as career high performances. Some eight years ago this was one of the very first DVDs I ever purchased. After viewing it numerous times since then, I have just watched it for the first times on a 42" widescreen lcd tv. I have to say that I was surprised at how good the image was for such an old release--the DVD was released in 1997--however there is room for considerable improvement in the package. First & foremost get rid of the flipper disc, the film is 129 minutes long & can easily be fit on a dual layer dvd with room to spare for a commentary (by a critic/historian & perhaps Mr. Caine--I doubt if Mr. Connery would make himself available.) Next, reinstate the short bit at the climax showing Danny tumbling end over end with Peach narrating his fall from the bridge--it was there when I first saw the film in 1975, but is missing from television & DVD prints for some reason. Documentary material on Kipling, the short story, John Huston & the making of the film & its importance would be most welcome. As it is, there are practically no extras on the extentant disc. Please Warner Bros.--won't you at least consider it. When you look at all the double & triple dips of junk out there, give this film a little respect. Wontcha, huh?

This is my all time favorite movie. Mix in two great actors, add British imperialism with a dash of human greed and you end up with a recipe for an outstanding, humorous adventure story with a tragic ending.

It doesn't get any better than this. If you have to buy one DVD, this is it.

Connery & Caine combined for what is quite possibly the greatest "buddy film" of all time. 33 years later & it has lost none of its appeal!

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Christopher Plummer directed by John Huston. . . It doesn't get much better than this! The movie is an old fashioned adventure tale centering around two ex-British army pals trying to make (or steal) their fortune in India. Sean Connery's character is mistaken for a returning god by a tribe in the remote mountains of Kafiristan. Unfortunatley, the character starts to believe that he just might be destined to rule. Trivia buffs should pay close attention to the native girl who is the object of Sean Connery's affection. She is Shakira Caine, a former beauty queen and Michael Caine's real life wife at the time this movie was made.

The only negative thing that I have to say about this item was the extremely poor sound quality. The TV volume was at its max and we could just hear the movie. I wish that I had complained a lot earlier and had sent it back for a replacement. It really is a great movie.