Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

The Man Who Would Be King
original film poster
Directed by	John Huston
Produced by	John Foreman
Written by	Rudyard Kipling (story) John Huston Gladys Hill
Starring	Sean Connery Michael Caine Christopher Plummer Saeed Jaffrey
Music by	Maurice Jarre
Cinematography	Oswald Morris
Distributed by	USA: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation non-USA: Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	17 December 1975
Running time	129 minutes
Language	English
IMDb profile

The Man Who Would Be King is a 1975 film adapted from the Rudyard Kipling story of the same title. It was adapted and directed by John Huston and starred Sean Connery as Daniel Dravot, Michael Caine as Peachey Carnehan, Saeed Jaffrey as Billy Fish , and Christopher Plummer as Kipling (giving a name to the story's anonymous narrator). Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links 269366. ... John Marcellus Huston (August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director and actor. ... John Foreman is an Australian musician and television personality. ... This article is about the British author. ... John Marcellus Huston (August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director and actor. ... Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25, 1930) is a Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award-winning Scottish actor and producer who is perhaps best known as the first actor to portray James Bond in cinema, starring in seven Bond films. ... This article is about the English actor. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Saeed Jaffrey (born 8 January 1929) is an Indian actor. ... Maurice Jarre (born in Lyon, France, September 13, 1924) is a French composer and conductor. ... Oswald Morris (born November 22, 1915) is an Academy Award-winning British cinematographer whose career spanned six decades. ... Allied Artists Pictures Corporation This subsidiary of Monogram Pictures was founded in 1946. ... The Columbia Pictures logo from 1993 to the present Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. ... December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The year 1975 in film involved some significant events. ... This article is about the British author. ... For other uses, see The Man Who Would Be King (disambiguation). ... John Marcellus Huston (August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director and actor. ... Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25, 1930) is a Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award-winning Scottish actor and producer who is perhaps best known as the first actor to portray James Bond in cinema, starring in seven Bond films. ... Daniel Dravot is one of two key fictional characters in Rudyard Kiplings short story The Man Who Would Be King, subsequently made into a feature film in 1975. ... This article is about the English actor. ... Gunnery Sergeant P.T. Peachey Carnehan is one of two central characters in Rudyard Kiplings short story The Man Who Would Be King. ... Saeed Jaffrey (born 8 January 1929) is an Indian actor. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The Kipling story tells the tale of two rogue British ex-soldiers who set off from 19th century British India in search of adventure, and end up as kings of Kafiristan. The story is believed to have been inspired by the travels of American adventurer Josiah Harlan during the period of the Great Game between Imperial Russia and the British Empire. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Anthem God Save The Queen/King British India, circa 1860 Capital Calcutta (1858-1912), New Delhi (1912-1947) Language(s) Hindi, Urdu, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1877-1901 Victoria  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - January-December 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George... Kafiristan or Kafirstan (Land of the non believers in the Persian) was a historic name of Nurestan (Nuristan), a province in the Hindukush(Killer of Hindu Mountains) region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. ... Josiah Harlan in his Afghan robes Josiah Harlan (June 12, 1799 - 1871) was an American adventurer, best known for travelling to Afghanistan and Punjab with the intention of being made king. ... The Great Game is a term, usually attributed to Arthur Connolly, used to describe the rivalry and strategic conflict between the British Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire for supremacy in Central Asia. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... For a comprehensive list of the territories that formed the British Empire, see Evolution of the British Empire. ...

Shot on location in Morocco, Huston had planned to make the film since the 1950's: originally with Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable, then Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, and then Robert Redford and Paul Newman — Newman suggested Connery and Caine. Like much of his writing, Kipling's original story is overtly imperialist; in Huston's telling, both East and West have their faults and virtues. In a retrospective review, the New York Times remarked "Gloriously old-fashioned in its approach – right down to the characters' politically incorrect attitudes toward anyone who isn't one hundred per cent British – The Man Who Would Be King is pure entertainment in the grand tradition of Gunga Din." Bogart redirects here. ... William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901 – November 16, 1960) was an Academy Award-winning American film actor. ... Burt Lancaster (2 November 1913 – 20 October 1994) was an Academy Award-winning American film actor, noted for his athletic physique, distinct smile (which he called The Grin) and, later, his willingness to play roles that went against his initial tough guy image. ... Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch Demsky December 9, 1916) is an iconic American actor and film producer known for his gravelly voice and his recurring roles as the kinds of characters Douglas himself once described as sons of bitches. He is also father to Hollywood actor and producer Michael Douglas. ... Robert Redford (born Charles Robert Redford, Jr. ... This article is about the American actor and race team owner. ... Cecil Rhodes: Cape-Cairo railway project. ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Gunga Din Gunga Din (1892) is one of Rudyard Kiplings most famous poems, perhaps best known for its often-quoted last line, Youre a better man than I am, Gunga Din![1] The poem is a rhyming narrative from the...

Michael Caine has maintained that if any film of his is remembered after his death, it would be The Man Who Would Be King because it is the sort of film that everyone says, even when the film came out, "No-one makes pictures like this any more."

Although the film was shot in North Africa, the ethnic clothing and dancers in the background are clearly not Middle Eastern, but of Central Asian origin. Maurice Jarre scored the film and invited classical Indian musicians to participate in the recording sessions with a traditional European symphony, blending the musical styles for the melodies, based around the hymn "The Moreen", (although the lyrics are those of Reginald Heber's "The Son of God Goes Forth to War"), which figures in the plot. Sean Connery and Michael Caine are heard singing on the LP and CD of the film music.  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Africa. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... Central Asia is a region of Asia. ... Maurice Jarre (born in Lyon, France, September 13, 1924) is a French composer and conductor. ...

Synopsis

While at the offices of the Northern Star newspaper, Kipling is approached by a ragged, seemingly crazed derelict, who reveals himself to be his old acquaintance Peachy Carnehan. Peachy tells Kipling the story of how he and his companion Danny Dravot traveled to remote Kafiristan in modern-day Afghanistan, became gods, and ultimately lost everything. Kafiristan or Kafirstan (Land of the non believers in the Persian) was a historic name of Nurestan (Nuristan), a province in the Hindukush(Killer of Hindu Mountains) region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. ...

Sean Connery (Danny) and Michael Caine (Peachy).

After meeting Kipling at his newspaper office a few years earlier and signing a contract pledging mutual loyalty, they set off on an epic overland journey North beyond the Khyber Pass, beyond any explored regions into the unknown land of Khafiristan (Literally, "Land of Strangers"). Here, they chance upon a Ghurka who uses the English name Billy Fish, given him by his regiment as being more pronounceable, the only survivor of a mapping expedition years before. Billy speaks perfect English, as well as the local tongue, and it is he, acting as translator of the language and interpretor of the customs and manners, who is able to smoothe the path of Peachy and Danny as they begin their rise to royalty, first offering their services as military advisors, trainers and battle leaders. Carnehan and Dravot muster an army from the natives of a Kafiristan village. In their first battle, the natives decide that Daniel is a god after he is shot with an arrow in the chest but continues fighting. In fact, the arrow has struck a bandolier beneath his clothing and become lodged in it, but the natives don't know this. When they arrive in the holy city of Sikandergul, the natives recognize the Masonic medal given to Danny by Kipling as a symbol of Alexander the Great (the story perpetuates the myth of masonic antiquity, naming Alexander as being a "builder" and the tribesmen reveal heirlooms from Alexander displaying masonic symbols) in a cargo cult context and declare the men to be gods. Image File history File links Sjff_03_img1018. ... Image File history File links Sjff_03_img1018. ... Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25, 1930) is a Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award-winning Scottish actor and producer who is perhaps best known as the first actor to portray James Bond in cinema, starring in seven Bond films. ... This article is about the English actor. ... The Khyber Pass, also referred to as The Khyber (also spelt the Khaiber Pass or Khaybar Pass) (Urdu: درہ خیبر) (altitude: 1,070 m , 3,510 ft) is the mountain pass that links Pakistan and Afghanistan. ... Gurkha Soldiers (1896) Wives and children of Gurkha Soldiers (1896) Gurkha (or Gorkha) are a people from Nepal who take their name from the former city-state of Gorkha, which went on to found the Kingdom of Nepal later on. ... Freemasons redirects here. ... For the film of the same name, see Alexander the Great (1956 film). ... For other uses, see Cargo cult (disambiguation). ...

Danny has delusions of grandeur. Acknowledged as Sikander come again by the Holy men of the City, Danny sets himself up as high king of Khafiristan, and begins to enforce laws and judgements, while making plans to civilize the land into a modern country, aided by Billy Fish, who has fallen into the role of translator and privy counselor. As the months turn, Peachy wants to sneak out of the city with chests of gold and jewels before the winter passes are closed. Danny is against it, trying to point out how ruling the land takes precedence over treasure now he is king. He goes as far as to suggest that Peachy should bow to him like the others. Disgusted, Peachy decides to leave with as much treasure as he can carry, with his old friend's blessing. Danny, however, decides to take a wife from among the natives, to cement the royal line, much against Peachy's advice; he chooses Roxanna (played by Michael Caine's wife Shakira), and Peachy waits until after the wedding- "For old time's sake"- before leaving. Roxanna fears no woman can live if she consorts with a god, and so tries to escape from Daniel, biting him in the process. The bite draws blood, and when the natives see it they realise Daniel is human after all, and pursue him and Peachy through the streets of his erstwhile kingdom. Trapped, Billy tries to buy time by holding back the mob single handedly, but the pair are captured and revealed as mortal men. Danny is killed when forced to walk to the middle of a rope bridge over a deep gorge; the ropes supporting it are cut as he bravely sings the hymn "The Son of God Goes Forth to War" as he falls to his death Peachy finishes the verse. Peachy is horribly crucified between two palm trees, but is cut down and released the next day. At the end of the film, as Peachy finishes his story, he presents Kipling with Danny's decaying head or what's left of it, still wearing its Kafiri crown. For other uses, see Shakira (disambiguation). ...

Miscellanea

• The movie has Carnehan first meeting Kipling after Carnehan steals Kipling's watch - which he returns after he sees it has a Masonic fob on the chain, Carnehan tries to blame an Indian for stealing the watch - but Kipling is not fooled.
• Billy Fish is accurately depicted as a Gurkha Rifleman, from the uniform to the Kukri knife. Billy's attempt to buy Peachy time to escape by fearlessly charging an armed mob (and killing several before being overcome by weight of numbers) is typical of his warrior strain. His battle-cry, "Ayo Gurkhali!" ("The Gurkhas are here!") is in fact the ancient war-cry that is still in use.
• The movie is largely faithful to the original story, except at the end which has the half-insane Carnehan leaving Dravot's head on Kipling's desk. In the original story Carnehan takes Dravot's head with him; two days later the unnamed narrator has Carnehan taken to an insane asylum where Carnehan dies of sunstroke. No belongings are found with Carnehan. There are also variations in the use of masonic detail - for more information on this see the entry for Daniel Dravot.
• Neal Morse recorded a song called 'The Man Who Would Be King as part of the 'A Whole Nother Trip' section of his eponymous solo album.
• In 1988, Sean Connery succeeded Michael Caine as the winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Freemasons redirects here. ... For the genus of snakes having the common name kukri snakes, see oligodon. ... A psychiatric hospital (also called a mental hospital or asylum) is a hospital specializing in the treatment of persons with mental illness. ... Freemasons redirects here. ... Daniel Dravot is one of two key fictional characters in Rudyard Kiplings short story The Man Who Would Be King, subsequently made into a feature film in 1975. ... Neal Morse (born on August 2, 1960 in Van Nuys, California) is a prolific American multi-instrumentalist and progressive rock composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. ... Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25, 1930) is a Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award-winning Scottish actor and producer who is perhaps best known as the first actor to portray James Bond in cinema, starring in seven Bond films. ... This article is about the English actor. ... The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to male actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ...

See also

The Man Who Would Be King For other uses, see The Man Who Would Be King (disambiguation). ...

External links

• The Man Who Would Be King at the Internet Movie Database
• The Man Who Would Be King - Photos
• The Man Who Would Be King - starpulse.com