The Man Who Would Be King Blu-ray Review

"The Man Who Would Be King" on Blu-ray offers an impressive 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. This Panavision-framed film showcases vibrant and richly saturated colors, especially the verdant greens of the vegetation and the striking reds of the British uniforms, which virtually pop off the screen. While the transfer appears nearly pristine, careful observers might notice occasional minor flaws like the Allied Artists logo in an off-putting green and a tiny white negative scratch. The image maintains a smooth quality with minimal visible grain, indicating some moderate application of Digital Noise Reduction (DNR).

Detail and texture are exceptional, particularly in outdoor scenes where clarity and sharpness are most apparent. Plummer's close-ups exhibit smoothness indicative of light DNR use, contrasting sharply with the detailed facial wrinkles seen later among the elder Kafirs. Despite this, grain structure remains largely intact. Black levels are solid though minor crush is evident in darker scenes, with good contrast throughout the film. Softness is noticeable in some second-unit establishing shots but doesn't detract significantly from the viewing experience. Whites are bright and stable, enhancing elements like Kipling’s suit and snow-covered mountains. There are no digital artifacts present, ensuring a clean visual presentation.

Overall, this Blu-ray transfer vastly improves over previous standard-definition offerings. However, it should be noted that some minor compromises were made due to inherent issues in the source material, resulting in occasional visual inconsistencies like rippling during the Northern Star building zoom shot. Nevertheless, this effort culminates in a significantly enhanced viewing experience that honors the film’s visual legacy while providing a compelling presentation for modern audiences.

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Man Who Would Be King" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track that admirably preserves the integrity of the film's original mono soundtrack from the mid-1970s. The cleaned-up audio track reveals the film’s age without any distracting hiss, snap, crackle, or pop, maintaining an overall clean listening experience. Dialogue comes through impressively clear and well-articulated, making it easy to follow the story. Rifle shots deliver a sharp, authentic crack, while ambient sounds, such as those in the opening market sequence, are rendered with enough detail to create an engaging audio environment. However, the ADR work is occasionally noticeable due to the clarity of the dialogue.

Noteworthy is Maurice Jarre’s musical score, which generally sounds wonderful, adding a rich layer to the audio mix. Yet, the limitations of the original mono track are evident; the soundstage feels somewhat narrow and occasionally exhibits boxiness and tinniness. This is particularly noticeable during Connery's entrance scene in the train boxcar, where his first line sounds distant, indicative of the source's limitations. The high end can sometimes be brittle, more apparent in this lossless version than in previous releases.

While the original mono mix does its job reasonably well, there’s a lingering sense that a 5.1 surround remix could have provided a more immersive experience, especially for the grander musical pieces like the title themes. Effects are adequately balanced with the music, featuring clean manual woodworking sounds within street scenes and subtle river noises beneath the score. Despite its historical fidelity, the track’s limited dynamics and minimal subwoofer engagement leave it feeling somewhat average compared to modern expectations.

The Blu-ray release of "The Man Who Would Be King" is packaged in an attractive digibook featuring a 32-page printed booklet with insightful articles on the film, its stars, and its director. While the bonus materials are somewhat limited, they offer a valuable glimpse into the making of this classic film. The standout feature is "Call It Magic: The Making of The Man Who Would Be King," a 12-minute vintage featurette showcasing the production's behind-the-scenes moments, including shots of the stunning Marrakech locations and enormous sets. Director John Huston, along with stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine, provide engaging insights in an old-fashioned style, reminding viewers of the film's era. Also included is the original theatrical trailer, offering a nostalgic look at how the film was marketed in the 1970s.

Extras included in this disc:

• Call It Magic: The Making of 'The Man Who Would Be King': Behind-the-scenes featurette on the film's production.
• Trailer: Theatrical trailer showing the original marketing.

The Man Who Would Be King on Blu-Ray is a stunning presentation of John Huston's 1975 adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's short story. The film, framed in a 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio, boasts a vibrant 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer with a filmic but grain-free image that truly captivates the eye. The DTS-HD MA 1.0 soundtrack offers a clean rendition of the original mono mix, albeit one might wish for an enhanced surround track to match the film's grandeur. Extras are minimal, featuring a period 'Making of' documentary and theatrical trailers, but the main draw is undeniably the film itself.

In this masterful narrative, Michael Caine and Sean Connery shine as British ex-soldiers Peachey Carnehan and Daniel Dravot, who embark on a perilous mission to Kafiristan during the British Raj, ultimately declaring themselves kings. The story is recounted in a flashback to Rudyard Kipling, played effortlessly by Christopher Plummer. The tale weaves themes of hubris and the repercussions of colonial arrogance with moments of humor and adventure. Huston's direction captures not only the sweeping landscapes and epic scale but also embeds a nuanced critique of British imperialism and human folly.

"The Man Who Would Be King" combines old-school Hollywood epic sensibilities with Huston's trademark cynicism. It's an engaging adventure that balances surface-level excitement with deeper introspective commentary on sociopolitical issues and human nature. Caine and Connery excel in roles that play slightly against their usual types, thereby adding layers to their characters. This Blu-Ray edition ensures that Huston's vision is pristinely preserved for both casual viewers and critical analysts alike, providing a fulfilling cinematic experience that resonates on multiple levels.

"The Man Who Would Be King" on Blu-ray is a masterclass in classic adventure, blending stellar performances with solid technical presentation. Directed by John Huston, this cinematic gem finds Sean Connery and Michael Caine at their charismatic best, capturing an era when parts of the world were mysterious and exotic. Huston adapts Rudyard Kipling's literary work with precision, creating a nuanced and drama-filled buddy film that remains a bracing entertainment today.

The Blu-ray transfer boasts a very good picture quality, preserving the film's rich visual texture. However, the sound—presented in mono—may disappoint some audiences expecting a more dynamic audio experience. Despite this limitation, the film's engaging narrative and the actors' evident chemistry shine through, making for an enthralling viewing experience. It's worth noting that the Blu-ray extras are underwhelming, lacking new interviews or commentaries from Connery and Caine which would have provided additional insight and value.

It's easy to look back on The Man Who Would Be King and simply say, They don't make 'em like that anymore. Except you know what? They weren't really even making 'em like that back in 1975, which is why John Huston deserves so much praise for having fashioned this supposedly old fashioned epic from an even older fashioned literary source. But what a bracing entertainment The Man Who Would Be King is. Rarely has a buddy film (which really this might be thought of as being) been so filled with nuance and brilliant drama. Caine and Connery are minor revelations in their unusual roles, and Huston stages it all with panache and flair. Highly recommended.