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.
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Featured reviews
"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.
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!
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.
Did you know
- TriviaThis 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".
- GoofsAccording 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 versionsFrench 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.
- ConnectionsEdited into Dinosaur Island (1994)
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Details
Box office
- 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