The Man who would be King was directed by John Huston in 1975. Based on a Rudyard Kipling short story, this movie brings together acting legends Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Christopher Plummer. The story is set in the 1880s, starting off in India. Christopher Plummer plays Kipling, who narrates the story as it unfolds. But he remains in India and does not partake in the adventure, which takes it’s main characters, two scoundrels with great ambition cross the lands, beyond the Khyber pass through Afghanistan to a small kingdom of Kafiristan.The adventurous pair tired of military service without advancement, have hatched a plot to take their skills, and some weapons to far away lands where they can tip the scales between feuding tribes and gain power and influence.
The pair swear an oath of loyalty, and off women and drink. Their adventure takes them through many battles including one where Sean Connery’s character Danny Dravot survives an arrow strike. This leads the locals to think he is immortal aka a God, the high priest calls for him, hoping to test to see for himself, whether or not the man bleeds. But when he rips open his shirt he sees a Masonic symbol around his neck, an ancient symbol attributed to Alexander the Great, who as legend had it would send his son to reclaim his throne. Immediately the high priest is convinced that Dravot must be that son, and everyone bows down to him.
Peachy Carnehan (Micheal Caine) stays by his friend’s side as an advisor and trusted companion. Things go well, until King Dravot falls for a woman, whom he wishes to wed (this not only breaks the vow he made at the beginning of his expedition, swearing off women), but this shows to the people that he has mortal lusts, and cannot be their immortal leader. The people turn on the imposter and Peachy narrowly escape, returning to India to recount the tale to Kipling.
