FAREWELL TO THE KING
US, 1988, 112 minutes, Colour.
Nick Nolte, Nigel Havers, James Fox.
Direcgted by John Milius.
Farewell to the King is an action adventure written and directed by John Milius who was responsible for such films as The Wind and the Lion, Big Wednesday, Conan the Barbarian, Red Dawn - as well as a contributor to the screenplay of such films as Apocalypse Now. Milius always seems to admire the strong leader, involved In physical action, unafraid to take on leadership.
The film is set in Borneo during the latter years of World War Two. Nick Nolte is an American deserter who becomes the king of a Borneo tribe Nigel Havers is an Englishman sent on a. mission to involve the native tribes Jn the war. The film shows the tribes and their life, the plans of the English to thwart Japanese, Japanese atrocities, British double-dealing as well as some double-dealing by General Macarthur.
The scenery is magnificent, the action sequences well-staged - but the whole film has a rather contrived impact and a touch of the comic book, boys' own adventure style.
1. Enjoyable action adventure? World War Two?
2. The work of John Milius, his interest in action, leadership, myths and supermen? The structure of the film and its use of memories?
3. Borneo locations, the sea and the jungle, the beauty of the tropics, the village and the life, the caves'. Action sequences? Musical score?
4. The title and the theme, a king in the 20th. century? The nature of kings, power, World War Two, the end of kingship? The new world of the post-war era?
5. The war in the Pacific, the Japanese, action, desertion by Americans under fire, the Japanese in Borneo, the attacks and massacres, vengeance, the tribes being trained by the military, the British presence, orders and deals?
6. Nick Nolte as Leroy. As a soldier, the involvement in the war, his desertion and disgust, attitude towards Macarthur, the experience in the Philippines, the wreckage, survival? In the jungle, the encounter with the people, his reception, concern, survival? The bond with the people, assuming exercise of leadership, assertion? Taking over, the clash with the ruler, becoming king? the quality of his rule? His appearance, hair and dress? The women, wife and child? An idyllic way of life away from the war? The kingdom and loyalty?
7. Nigel Havers as the scientist, the military man? His African assistant? Their quest, through the jungle, finding the tribe, their mission? British background and style? Observation, taken prisoner, the fear, freedom? Sharing the life of the tribe? Persuading Learoyd to be involved in the war? The war and their involvement? The mountains, the valleys, the caves, the special paths, the sea?
8. The Japanese presence, attack? Deaths? The tribes and their weaponry and training? Changing their whole way of life? Forming a squad, the British coming in, training, living with the tribe?
9. The officer, his attitude towards the British, their presence with the tribes, the mission? Havers' return, discussions, the possibilities? Macarthur and the interview, the deal about Learoyd as king? His fiancee, the return into the jungle?
10. Learoyd and friendship, his appreciation of the document, nobody having done anything like this for him? The work together? The waging of the war, the stalking of the Japanese? The fights, the caves? The massacre of the village and Learoyd's grief? The fight, the battle and the Englishman being wounded? the deaths?
11. His recuperation, the end of the war, the plan for Learoyd? His sense of betrayal, the need for salt and going to the sea? Learoyd taken, tortured? On board ship, in prison, his being allowed to escape? The Englishman's salute and farewell to the king?
12. Old-fashioned action adventure? The admiration for the man of action and leadership?
