‘Masterpiece’ film based on classic book with acting royalty on BBC tonight | Films | Entertainment

A cinematic masterpiece hailed as ‘one of the greatest films ever made’ and ‘an absolute banger’ graces BBC4 screens this evening.

Helmed by John Huston, The Man Who Would Be King arrived in cinemas in 1975 as a sweeping adventure adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s literary work, featuring Sean Connery and Michael Caine in the roles of Danny Dravot and Peachy Carnehan.

The duo portray British military officers serving in India who, weary of their regimented existence, venture into the remote region of Kafiristan, where locals eventually welcome and worship them as leaders.

Following a chain of misinterpretations, the inhabitants mistake Dravot for a deity, though the pair’s elaborate ruse proves unsustainable.

Released over half a century ago, the production secured four Academy Award nominations and garnered significant recognition for both Connery and Caine’s commanding performances.

Film review platform Rotten Tomatoes awards it a remarkable 97 percent rating, accompanied by numerous five-star testimonials from cinema enthusiasts praising both the narrative and the principal cast, reports the Mirror.

One reviewer said in their five-star assessment: “A great watch. A mad adventure, with a clever premise and historical intrigue; the performances are terrific and the landscapes are stunning. The “frame story” structure gives both the beginning and end of the film added resonance.”

Another fan added: “An absolute banger of a movie. I was in my 20s when this film came out and never got to see it although I was at the pictures every week. Great westerns, war films and thrillers were my film fodder so how this magnificent film got past me I’ll never know.

“Im mystified as to how the fabulous locations were sought out and the indigenous extras included. This film rates with Lawrence and Kwai in my book. There’s is no need to stress the charisma and excellence portrayed by Connery and Caine absolutely faultless. Miss it at your peril.”

A third viewer offered a more mixed review: “It is quite good. Very interesting. I found the beginning to be confusing. I also think it got kind of slow. I wanted it to end already,”.

A fourth wrote: “A true adventure, a story of friendship and daring. Connery and Caine give their best performances. This film picks you up at the beginning and doesn’t let you go.

“I seem to never tire of this one, as many times as I’ve seen it. The actors are totally in their element, the directiing wonderful, the scenery and cinematography are both spectacular, the plot is unbeatable. So much fun! Of course we have to thank Kipling, who created it from the getgo,” a fifth admirer said.

A sixth added: “One of the greatest movies I have ever seen. The work of one of the truly great authors in the English language, with some of the greatest of all actors, beautifully shot.

“Loved it after decades. Only ever remembered the last scene until I finally watched it again. The storyline and the movie adaptation and the actors are brilliant,” another viewer said.

The Man Who Would Be King airs on Thursday 5 February at 8pm on BBC4.