KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Sabah Hensley This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

cal reid Mesoamerica the age of Hunac Ceel a Mayan tyrant who seeks to conquer all other tribes in Mexico. Young king Balam takes his people across the gulf of Mexico to lead his people away from the danger , however upon arrival in what will become North America they are confronted by hostile native Americans who do not want intruders in their land. A lost gem of a movie it features outstanding acting , sets and costumes and the soundtrack is pure genius by Elmer Bernstien. Yul Brynner offers excellent charisma in the role of Chief Black Eagle however for me the real show stealer has to be George Chakiris as king Balam , young and handsome with great charisma and great hair he suits the role of the king perfectly and Shirley Anne Field as his beloved also gives a shining performance. One of the best epics if not the best , right up there with Spartacus and Cleopatra and a great film in general.

artzau In 1963 there was a number of Hollywood fantasies based on historical and cultural themes that made the conoscenti cringe. I mean, Mayans migrating to the Gulf Coast, other Mayans using iron artifacts, arriving in the new world and speaking the same language as the locals? Well, back in those Hollywood days in the middle sixties, audiences were not quite so demanding as now. So, George Chakiris, fresh from his West Side Story triumph and Yul Brynner, known now from a number of hits, are pitched against each other in a sixty's version of a martial arts film. Veteran character actors like Barry Morse (Gerard of The Fugitive), Brad Dexter, Richard Basehart and Ford Rainey are seen sprinkled among the good guys and classic Villain, Leo Gordon heads the bad guys. The beautiful Shirley Anne Field offers the feminine interest in a departure from her roles in grade B movies and adds to the pageantry of the film. And, the usual cast of hundreds provides some nice texture and action to off-balance Brynner's hamming it up in the close-ups. This is a fine old film that doesn't have legs that was entertaining in its time. It is available but be warned: this film would be definitely grade B fare today.

Nazi_Fighter_David "Kings of the Sun" is the story of a civilization burst into full flower… In their profound desire to win favor from the deities, the Mayans made human sacrifice the keystone of their religion… Keeping the Buddhist monk hairstyle as his trademark, Brynner easily steals the show with his virile personality, distinctive look, speech and mannerism… He is Black Eagle, the barbarian chief who comes to the defense of the Mayans… George Chakiris plays Balam, the jaguar, king and son of kings to the ninth generation… Although in spite of being young and brave and untried, Chakiris lacks the heroic stature with which the role might have been satisfied… Shirley Anne Field is the delicate Ixchel who would never leave Black Eagle except if he ever used to tell her that he loved her… Richard Basehart is the high priest who tried to make the king understand that he cannot bring this new life to his people without giving a life… For a thousand years they've been bound by this law… The gods cannot be cheated… Leo Gordon is the tyrant Hunac Kell… His strength is a sword of metal and the Mayans are powerless against it… Filmed beautifully in Chichén Itzá, Yucatán – Mexico, J. Lee Thompson's motion picture is colorful and highly entertaining

LMisterL I cut class to see this movie and ran into three older girls at the movies. We had to watch it a second time as we became totally involved with each other. So I have great memories of Kings of the Sun. I surprised it's not on VHS or DVD. Kings of the Sun was also a late night TV movie years ago. I keep hoping that it will be released as a DVD or VHS. There are lots of movies out there that don't hold a candle to Kings of the Sun. Believe me I know, as I watch quite a lot movies. This is one that I watch over and over. My copy isn't the greatest in the world. I copied it from TV to VHS and then DVD. It has the commercials and the tracking jumps every now and then but I still love it.