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IMDbPro

Farewell to the King

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Nick Nolte and Nigel Havers in Farewell to the King (1989)
Borneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle against the Japanese.
Play trailer1:23
2 Videos
27 Photos
Jungle AdventureActionAdventureDramaWar

Borneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle a... Read allBorneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle against the Japanese.Borneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle against the Japanese.

  • Director
    • John Milius
  • Writers
    • Pierre Schoendoerffer
    • John Milius
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Nigel Havers
    • Frank McRae
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Milius
    • Writers
      • Pierre Schoendoerffer
      • John Milius
    • Stars
      • Nick Nolte
      • Nigel Havers
      • Frank McRae
    • 34User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:23
    Trailer
    Farewell To The King
    Clip 0:30
    Farewell To The King
    Farewell To The King
    Clip 0:30
    Farewell To The King

    Photos27

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    Top cast15

    Edit
    Nick Nolte
    Nick Nolte
    • Learoyd
    Nigel Havers
    Nigel Havers
    • Botanist
    Frank McRae
    Frank McRae
    • Tenga
    Gerry Lopez
    Gerry Lopez
    • Gwai
    Marilyn Tokuda
    • Yoo
    Chang Wing Choy
    • Lian
    Aki Aleong
    Aki Aleong
    • Colonel Mitamura
    Marius Weyers
    Marius Weyers
    • Conklin
    William Wise
    • Dynamite Dave
    Wayne Pygram
    Wayne Pygram
    • Bren Armstrong
    Richard Morgan
    Richard Morgan
    • Strech Lewis
    Elan Oberon
    • Vivienne
    James Fox
    James Fox
    • Ferguson
    Michael Nissman
    • General Sutherland
    John Bennett Perry
    John Bennett Perry
    • General MacArthur
    • Director
      • John Milius
    • Writers
      • Pierre Schoendoerffer
      • John Milius
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews34

    6.23.2K
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    Featured reviews

    8rrtwitchell

    Great Movie !!

    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
    Scott-8

    The last king of Borneo

    One person I know saw this movie and called it "Ramblonde" after Nick Nolte's long hair. Other people have characterized as an adaptation of King Lear.

    "Farewell to the King" is really neither. It's a story about a man who finds his kingdom and himself against the backdrop of World War Two Borneo.

    The movie is touching and dramatic about a man who leaves behind a war he didn't want and everything he knew, only to have to face it again. Many questions are raised about the meaning of loyalty and honor, and who is your enemy and your friend.

    Not, it's definitely not a "Rambo" movie, more a tight and involving drama the way they used to make them.
    9JSPrine

    A gripping, thought-provoking, action adventure

    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!
    Laudanum_Legend

    Wonderful film

    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.
    10longjimhancock

    Fantastic film

    I've seen this film many times and it's one I would watch and enjoy any time it was on. Sure it has plot problems, but the over-all beauty of this story is both heart wrenching and epic. It ranks as one of my all-time favorites, like the beautiful cinematography of "The Mission". Its depiction of World War II war-time action in an obscure theater of war like Borneo, is both interesting and eye-opening. The plot is believable and gut wrenching in its depiction of an invader attacking ones homeland. I could not help but be reminded of scenes from another favorite film of mine, "Last of the Dog Men". I only wish this film was available generally to all in DVD format, as I believe it to be a film that buffs would want to add to their collection.

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    Related interests

    Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, and Karen Gillan in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
    Jungle Adventure
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Band of Brothers (2001)
    War

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was originally the best film that he had made according to the film's writer-director John Milius until studio interference ruined it. Milius once said: "I, as usual, was attacked viciously but in time it's come to be regarded as one of my best". Milius has also said he believes he originally had made a "great film".
    • Goofs
      According to Learoyd's story, roughly three years have passed since he arrived among the tribe, but when he introduces his daughter to Sgt. Corbett, she is clearly five or six years old.
    • Quotes

      Col. Ferguson: No one moves very far out of line. When you're young you think you're blazing a trail. One day you look down and notice it's a beaten track.

    • Alternate versions
      French video release has two scenes not present in the English one. First, it's when MacArthur gives tobaco to Fairbourne when MacArthur signs the deal. Second one it's a scene between Fairbourne and Mitamura; Mitamura explains his reasons to surrender to Learoy.
    • Connections
      Edited into Dinosaur Island (1994)

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pozdrav kralju
    • Filming locations
      • Malaysia
    • Production companies
      • Cine Location Services
      • David Hannay Productions
      • Film Plan Financing Number 1
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,420,917
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,150,531
      • Mar 5, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,420,917
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 57m(117 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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