Farewell to the King

This is one of the best films of the 80's yet it is criminally overlooked. Released in an era when Rambo was king, it seems many people just didn't get the film's messages of loyalty, redemption and personal integrity. In other words, it is a true adventure and not just a bang-bang action flick. The kind of movie we need to see more of. Nick Nolte has never been one of my favorite actors but he shines as the gruff King Learoyd. Learoyd is a man of action on the surface but he has been running from conflict his whole life. When he sees that the justice of our "real world" is perverted beyond hope, he retreats to the more honorable world of primitive, uncorrupted Borneo.Eventually, the real world intrudes in the form of World War 2. As The Botanist tells him, "you can no longer avoid history". Learoyd replies, "The world's so full of crap that you're bound to step in it someday. Is that what you call history?" Finally, Learoyd can no longer hide and the war hits him with its full fury. He is shattered by loss yet not unbeaten.He retains his integrity and transcends to non-violence. In one of the film's most emotional scenes, he accepts the surrender of the Japanese Colonel who has tormented him with grace and understanding, leading to the Colonel's own redemption. This is a gorgeous film. full of breathtaking scenery and well-conceived action. The performances are all top-notch, especially Nigel Havers as The Botanist. Why is Havers seen so little?He seems to be an actor of depth and talent. I also enjoyed the character of Tenga, who brought some welcome humor to the movie. Farewell to the King can be accused of being too sentimental and I can't disagree. There are worse things to have in a movie than sentiment, though. I hope this film achieves some of the recognition it is due. It is certainly John Milius' best.

Exciting , old-fashioned war epic with solid and inspired interpretations, based on the Pierre Schoendoerffer's book and script written by director John Milius himself , in which there's a lot of the flavoursome spirit of Joseph Conrad (who wrote Darkness heart , the prestigious novel written in 1900) and brought to the screen in lavish budget and colorful visual style . An interesting war picture told in the style of Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling set in Borneo, 1942 : A ship-wrecked American soldier -Nick Nolte- getaways WWII and becomes the king of the Bornean headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to enlist the jungle tribes for the fight against the Japanese . The American is reluctant to rejoin the consequent fight against the Japanese on the urging of a British commando team -Nigel Havers , Frank McRae , Marius Weyers-. As the jungle kingdom is caught between the forces of the US and Japanese . Then the King conducts a war of revenge when the Japanese attack his adopted people. In the midst of war, one man vanished into the jungle, and emerged as the Bornean king !.

This is a thought-provoking and intelligent story that catches the imagination in much the same way as Joseph Conrad's adventurous novels based on wandering heroes in the Far East . This Farewell to the King (1989) is based on a novel by Frédéric Schoendoerffer , titled¨L'Adieu Au Roi¨, he was a notorious French director and screenwriter , adept at shaping modern audience expectations of what authentic war films should look like , he was a former army reporter and photographer in Indo-China and Cambodia, taken prisoner at the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The prestigious novel has been simplified for easier compression , appreciation and nicely developing . However , this novelist disavowed the ambiguous and complaisant final . This stirring adventure flick contains thrills , action in the jungle , intrigue , wonderful outdoors and breathtaking battles that are imaginatively , vividly staged . Excellent acting by Nick Nolte in the title role , he's really impressive as the American deserter who is adopted by a suppressed Borneo village as its leader and he becomes king of the tribe . Movie's biggest moments provided by the great acting carried out by a stunning Nick Nolte whose character has much in commom with Joseph Conrad's Lord Jim who long time ago was played by Peter O'Toole . Both stories contain blood brothers , jungle environment and thoughtful themes . While co-starring Nigel Havers is awesome as a narrator and the brave soldier who lives through part of the story , giving his best movie acting as the botanist turned officer whose mission is to find local support for the battle against the Japanese. Supporting cast is frankly sensational , such as : Frank McRae , Gerry Lopez , Aki Aleong , Marius Weyers , James Fox, Richard Morgan and John Perry as General Douglas McArthur .

It displays an epic and sensitive musical score by Basil Poledouris . Evocative and exotic cinematography by Dean Semler , shot on location in Hawaii, USA , Malaysia, Borneo, Bau, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Directed and screen-played with compelling style by John Milius , though it had a tepid reception . Milius is a fine writer/director so consistently mixed the good and average which it became impossible to know that to expect from him next . The motion picture was professionally directed by John Milius but he stated that making this film was one of the worst experiences he had due to the dangerous shooting amid monsoon ambient and risked conditions in the wild jungle . He is a notorious screenwriter and filmmaker with several hits , specially on adventure genre as ¨Jeremiah Johnson (1972)¨, ¨Conan¨ , ¨Red Dawn¨, and also made biography as ¨Dillinger¨ , making two films about Theodore Roosevelt , ¨ The Wind and the Lion¨(1975) and ¨Rough Riders¨ (1997) . He was partially the basis for the character of Walter in the cult classic ¨The great Lebowski (1998)¨. Rating ¨Farewell to the King(1989)¨: Good and entertaining . Compassionate thinkers , lovers warfare genre , and pacifists will all find satisfaction here .

This is a curious piece whose dramatic arc takes a while to reach its full speed, but builds to a climax of considerable horror, involving cannibalism, genocide, loyalty and revenge. It is, I think, a mistake to label it an action movie: it is a drama, and played with a theatricality to which the viewer must adjust.

Nevertheless, once it gets into its stride this film has considerable charm.

The core cast bond closely and Frank Mcrae, who plays Sgt Tenga, and Marius Weyers (Sgt. Conklin) manage to give warmth to the invaders who threaten the survival of The People of the Hills.

The central relationship, between Nolte and Havers, is a fragile one which teeters on the brink of formulaic in Nolte's rescue of the sick Englishman and their mutual debts of gratitude and obligation. However, as they plunge into the conflict against the remnants of the defeated Japanese army, they each shock one another with what they are prepared to do.

I think the climax of the horror, which I do not wish to spoil, is brilliantly done. I felt the protagonists' turmoil and understood their brutal reactions, while still being shocked by it.

This film is open to charges of hokiness, theatricality and slowness, but, given a chance, it explores themes similar to those in The Thin Red Line; the imperialistic side effects of the Pacific war and the dehumanising effect of soldiering, against the fully human power of love and community.

I love this film! I bought it on DVD recently but when I saw it on TV I was somehow captivated by it. The film captivated me for a number of reasons. Firstly the film in my opinion is based on the exploits of an actual British botanist Major Tom Harrison who did exactly what Nigel Haver's character did in 1945 helping the tribes. He never met a king but from what I read there were striking similarities. Also I like Nigel Havers I think he is a great actor and here he proves that he is just that. He gives the film emotion and has a wonderful presence with his voice especially his last line of the film, wonderful!

I also like the fact that film shows the British and Aussies did a lot of work fighting the Japanese and it wasn't just the Americans. Nick Nolte's character is just about what I'd expect from him gritty, and King like, although it is hard not see the similarities between him and Rambo. James Fox is good too and I'm glad he was in it. The film does have its flaws and the story seems to make it incoherent at times which is its major weakness. Having said that I still think it is one of my favorite World War Two movies.

Excellent movie about the wonderful culture of those in Borneo and the warriors of the Malaysian continent. Awesome message on the effects of hate and war.....excellent analogy of " Salt" & message about " Life". The scenery and acting in my opinion makes this film a hidden treasure, I'm sorry to say, but it took me way to long to discover this movie ......the movie was made in 1989 and I was finally able to view it in 2008. Late Bloomer ! I study the culture of this country and I find it to be a fantastic piece of information that I can add to my video library.This movie is in my top 3 ultimate favorites list...right next to "13th Warrior" and "Braveheart"...... Excellent movie