Farewell to the King (1989)
An American soldier who escapes the execution of his comrades by Japanese soldiers in Borneo during WWII becomes the leader of a personal empire among the headhunters in this war story told in the style of Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling. The American is reluctant to rejoin the fight against the Japanese on the urging of a British commando team but conducts a war of vengeance when the Japanese attack his adopted people.
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Memorable, crazy movie
Fresh and Exciting
It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.
There was a time when Nick Nolte was a powerhouse actor. Before his personal problems took their toll. This film is one of several Nolte performances before the real troubles began, and along with films such as "Cape Fear", "The Prince Of Tides", and "Jefferson In Paris", showed that Nolte had a wide acting range that was sometimes downright surprising.Before watching this film it is important to understand that it is anti-British colonialism (which is fine by me) and it has a romantic notion of life in Borneo. Having been in Southeast Asia a fair amount -- although not in Borneo -- the picture of life depicted here is not as wonderful as it appears. But, it is always interesting. Part of the film was shot in Malaysia, substituting for Borneo.Another thing you know before going in is that the ending is not going to be a happy one, although the very conclusion is a tad upbeat, but not until a great deal of sorrow had occurred.The 3 primary actors are Nick Nolte, who is superb as an American who has washed ashore in Borneo and become a king of a local tribe...a life he sees as paradise. Nigel Havers is excellent as the British officer to interrupts paradise, with good intentions (of course), but who brings about an end to paradise. James Fox, an excellent British actor, has a rule that is, perhaps, the most thankless in his career..This film was a disaster at the box office, and I'm not sure why. It's well done. All I can think is that time timing was wrong.Recommended.
this is a little seen but worth finding war movie about one mans journey from deserter to king.nick nolte giving another fine performance and john milus directing a more personel film with incite in the way he think and feels about mans time on earth. if you like solid war movie that are not all action or all talk this has the right blend. beautiful shot so that you feel the heat and sweat of the jungle.this is old school film making so if your into michael bay stay away. but if your into history, ww2 or just a good yarn find it buy it and tell your mates about it.it may not be a classic but it should be.
WWII in Borneo. Learoyd (Nick Nolte) is an American who deserted and set himself up as King of the jungle. Capt. Fairbourne (Niogel Havers) is a British soldier that comes in to enlist the natives in fighting the Japanese.That's just about it, except for Fairbourne's boss played by James Fox. He is the quintessential British soldier. The ethnocentric SOB that does all for King and Country. Nobody can play that character like Fox.The rest of the movie features Japanese soldiers and natives battling it out. After a slaughter of Learoyd's people, including his wife, they slaughter Japanese.Besides Fox, the best thing about the movie is seeing Nolte run through the jungle looking like some cartoon character. It was really funny.
I just bought this thing for a dollar at a video store that was going belly up (as a lot of them are doing now.) This was made in 1989 over 17 years ago now and I had never seen it. It is a good film and I am glad I bought it. It filled in a lazy summer afternoon.This is a good old fashioned romantic south seas adventure film in the tradition of things like " His Majesty O'Keefe", "South Sea Women", the boring "Lord Jim" and even "Mutiny on the Bounty" in a way. It also resembles "Dances with Wolves" too. This film is a bit violent but any war movie would be.The days of signing on a tramp steamer and seeing the south seas are as long gone as the Phonograph and 78 rpm record. The jet age, travel agencies, and space age communication have destroyed whatever romance traveling there might have had.Films with plots like this now happen in outer space, not the south seas. It is a little too violent so I give it a 9. This is a genre that I think can no longer sustain an audience.Farewell to the King!