"THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING" (1975) (Classic Rollicking Adventure Video Risk) Absolutely fantastic old-time action that has not lost its punch over the last 25 years. Starring Sean Connery as Daniel Dravot, and Michael Caine as Peachy Carnahan, directed by the late great John Huston, a truly inspired team telling a classic tale of adventure (originally supposed to bring Huston together with Bogart and Gable). This is the ultimate straightforward swashbuckler complete with battles and sword play.

THE STORY: Two British soldiers/con men/Free Masons plying their trade in India decide to travel to a far off part of the country and conquer it. Conquer they do, more or less. Beginning as sort of a period version of "MASH" with Connery and Caine taking on zany comic roles, the film gradually becomes serious in an "Apocalyse Now" vein as the heroes get closer and closer to their ultimate goal--to become "kings" or "gods." Before starting their journey, the two are befriended by fellow Free Mason Rudyard Kipling who later learns of their story and their fate.

THE REVIEW: This film is one of my personal favorites.

As a boy, Sean Connery was one my favorite actors. Respect for his acting talent since this film has grown and may continue so long as he avoids horrors like "The Avengers." In "The Man Who Would Be King" Connery plays the brawn and Michael Caine the military brains.

The characters played by Caine and Connery, Daniel and Peachy, are two of the most optimistic, charismatic figures ever to grace the screen. These guys are prepared to die to prove their point, which changes at times throughout the film. Since they do not fear death, they are able to overcome great adversity.

Indian actor Saeed Jaffrey plays Billy Fish who acts as an interpreter for Connery and Caine as they conquer town after town in the isolated wilderness they wander into. Jaffrey's performance as Billy is a perfect comic foil to the grave seriousness of our happy-go-lucky soldiers/con men. Without his magical ability to interpret for Daniel and Peachy, the two would be immediately exposed as frauds. Billy's interpretation is the bridge between the villagers (who speak no English) and the audience.

It is the culture clash between the British Soldiers and the Indian villagers that provides the focal point for conflict in "The Man Who Would Be King." Peachy pleads with Daniel telling him they merely need to fill their pockets with the jewels presented to them and they will leave millionaires. Daniel, however, has other ideas and those ideas include becoming a god, ruling his subjects with his version of justice, and siring sons with one of the local exotic women. Daniel lets it go to his head. There is a haunting believability to the swiftness in which Daniel and Peachy successfully conquer the villagers and a tragic reality in the final result as local religion exposes their scheme.

The version of "The Man Who Would be King" I rented contained a making of the movie and the original theatrical trailer. In the making of the film, we learn that the high priest was a local man, over 100 years old, found when filming. Also, we see Connery, I think, performing one of his own stunts.

Rent "The Man Who Would Be King" an epic film in the old action-adventure style that plays strong even today.

The awesome John Huston talks about the making of the movie in a short documentary available on some versions of the home video or DVD.

Jonathan Hickman