Uma Vida de Rei

Nick Nolte stars as the enigmatic hero of this little-known but highly interesting film. Basically at war with himself, Nolte evolves from Army deserter to a genuine jungle king.

He's an interesting actor, and never more so than in this movie, which is set in Borneo during World War II. It might just as easily been set in a Montagnard village during the Vietnam War.

This off-beat, under-rated movie is more of a psychological study than a mindless, run-of-the-mill action flick. This movie has a lot more depth and heart than that.

The locations are beautiful, the musical score is outstanding, and, as in most John Milius films, the uniforms, weapons, and other goodies are faithfully and accurately depicted with wonderful detail.

This is a thinking man's "war movie". If you enjoyed "The Man Who Would Be King", you will very likely enjoy this film, too.

If you can find it on video, snap it up fast!

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 .

All the other posters make good points, but the one they miss is that this is first, last and simply, pure Milius. If you don't know who John Milius is you probably do not read movie credits. John Milius is a screen writer and director. Kind of a cult figure. His stock in trade is manly virtue. His detractors would use the term "macho", but that is too derogatory. Movies you may have see by him are, "Wind and the Lion, Red Dawn, Conan the Barbarian, Jeremiah Johnson, Clear and Present Danger, The Rough Riders, Apocalypse Now, Magnum Force, Dirty Harry, Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. See a pattern here?

Every one of the above movies deals with male relationships, honor, loyalty, fall and redemption. Romance relationships take a back seat to the relationships between the male characters, be they protagonists or antagonists. Jeramiah Johnson is a great example of this and shares many theme similarities with Farewell to the King.

Milius the director's sense of honor transcends the norm and underscores his reputation as a Hollywood rebel and outcast. Leroyd is betrayed by his erstwhile allies symbolized by Gen. MacArthur who gives his word and violates that promise. Leroyd ultimately accepts his former hated Japanese enemy simply because he too possesses a personal code of honor similar to Leroyd. A similar scene plays out at the end of Red Dawn, where the Cuban Commander lets the dying Jed escape, carrying his dead brother (Charlie Sheen through a shared warriors sense of honor. Jed then goes to a playground to sit in a swing, presumably regaining their lost childhood in joined death. This is a familiar theme in Milius' work.

Another familiar theme is that of the Rebel or loose cannon. Dirty Harry, the Marine Captain in Wind and the Lion, are just a few examples. Milius is the quintessential loose cannon in Hollywood. So he probably feels a kinship to the characters of which he writes.

There are many other themes that are familiar to all his movies. The female as a catalyst and semi-tragic figure is another. His women move his protagonists to greater heights. The female at risk or her unfortunate demise drives the central character to either his doom or his redemption, or both.

I have to say that I am a Milius fan. This movie is one of my favorites by him. Yes, I cringe at some of the acting, like Sgt. Tenga's horrible fake British accent (Kenyan by way of Chicago, perhaps?) The English speaking "Apaches" also make me roll my eyes. But scenes like "Advance the Colors", or Leroyd's redemption at the end of the movie, more than make up for the other lapses. This movie is good stuff. Get a six pack, or a bottle of scotch, a few cigars, some munchies and enter the world of John Milius. A world where men live by their honor, disputes are resolved man to man, and if enemies survive the ordeal, the sit down and drink to one another as survivors.

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