SnoReptilePlenty
Memorable, crazy movie
Brendon Jones
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Nayan Gough
A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
pkarnold
Learoyd started off in the Philippines, was deserted by his country, so he fled and landed on an island as a deserter, where he was lost in the jungle, and found by head hunters. What happened next was the basis of an amazing story and a wonderful movie.The man was crazy, and yet was brought back to life by the tribe, the women of the tribe seeing his eagle tattoo and believing he was sent by the gods. Eventually he became king of the village, and the tribe, and life was settled and happy, until the British army parachuted into this seeming island paradise, and drew the king and his tribe into the war against the Japanese.While the setting of the story is war, this is a psychological drama concerning loyalty, and honor, and courage. The movie is attractive to the eye, and comparisons to a Joseph Conrad story are appropriate. John Milius, who directed the movie and wrote the screenplay, presents this movie in almost a tantalizing, epic manner. The scenery, the musical score are wonderful! And if at times the plot is a little rough, it is easily forgotten because of themes like friendship, and life and death. And of course, what would a tragedy be like without betrayal? If you can leave your cynicism at the door, and even a few of your sensitivities against violence at the back of the room, then you can enjoy this movie. Ultimately, as good, and sad as this movie is, there are also themes of redemption, especially at a personal level. Nick Nolte is excellent as Learoyd. Nigel Havers is solid as Captain Fairbourne. In fact, I could not spot any poor acting in this movie.In this movie, the lines between friends and enemies are blurred, but positive human qualities transcend the faces of war, and that is why I suppose I enjoyed this movie so much.
rrtwitchell
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
Thomas Woodrow Wilson
I started school in 1942 while the Marines were fighting on Guadalcanal. I entered the 4th grade upon Japan's surrender. In between I saw all the black and white WWII movies that came to the old Westmore Theater within walking distance of my home, now long gone with all the other old neighborhood picture palaces, replaced by the sterility of the mall clusters. Many of those films are still among my favorites. Over the years many more films dealing with various aspects of WWII have come along, mostly in color. Some capture the era and some don't but some fine ones have been made. One of those is Farewell to the King.Now I know that such things are highly subjective but the opening sequence after the credits evokes such a feeling of nostalgia in me. You see, I remember these men "in the flare of their youth". I saw the Greatest Generation leave and return and they were ten feet tall to me. I had a box of ribbons, patches, area bombing photographs and other items they gave me when they came home.But I digress. Farewll To The King is a testament to the futility of trying to escape history as Nigel keeps telling Leroyd. Here is a man who felt abandoned by his leader and escapes from the war himself and inadvertently finds a paradise only to have history catch up with it and destroy it. This is the great tragedy of the film. It is a tragedy for all concerned as war always is. It is not only a tragedy for Leroyd but for the soldiers who are sent to help fulfill the mission of engaging the natives of Borneo in the fight against the Japanese and who become enamored themselves with what Leroyd has found. It is a tragedy for Nigel's commanding officer who is himself smitten by it but knows what the result will be. It is a tragedy for the Japanese. And the magnificent score by Basil Poledouris just heightens the sense of it. And, as another reviewer has noted, the ending is great.I highly recommend this film.
dwpollar
1st watched 11/19/1999 - 5 out of 10 (Dir-John Milius): Unbelievable although well-played out story about an American army soldier washed up on the shore of Bornea during World War II who became a king of a headhunting tribe.Not enough understanding as to why things are happening throughout the story.
