The Man Who Would Be King 1975

In the scorching Indian summer of 1885, journalist Rudyard Kipling (Rudyard Kipling) was approached by a bedraggled vagabond who would reveal himself to be none other than Peachy Carnehan, an old acquaintance with a penchant for intrigue. As they strolled through the dusty streets, Carnehan regaled Kipling with tales of his past exploits, including those shared with his trusted partner-in-crime, Danny Dravot (Danny Dravot), both ex-sergeants of the British Army.

The duo’s first meeting with Kipling had been a memorable one. After pilfering the journalist’s pocket-watch, Carnehan discovered a Masonic emblem on the chain, prompting him to return it as a token of respect for their shared fraternal bond. Their earlier scheme to blackmail a local raja had been foiled by Kipling himself, who had cleverly intervened with the British district commissioner. Undeterred, Carnehan would later use his cunning to blackmail the commissioner into avoiding deportation.

As they navigated the changing landscape of India, where modernisation and regulation were slowly encroaching on the old ways, Dravot and Carnehan found themselves at a crossroads. With little opportunity for lucrative criminal mischief on the horizon, they turned their attention to Kafiristan, a land shrouded in mystery since Alexander the Great’s conquest. Their plan was simple: offer their services to a local ruler, help him conquer his neighbours, then overthrow him and plunder the country. Kipling, though initially skeptical, eventually gifted Dravot his Masonic tag as a symbol of brotherhood.

With their pact sealed, promising mutual loyalty and swearing off the vices of drink and women, the two set out on an arduous journey north, traversing Afghanistan’s treacherous terrain and battling bandits, blizzards, and avalanches. Along the way, they stumbled upon Billy Fish (Billy Fish), a Gurkha soldier who had miraculously survived a British expedition years prior. Speaking both English and the local language, Billy proved instrumental in smoothing their path as they began their ascent to power.

Their rise was swift and brutal. They first offered their services to the chief of a war-torn village, training his forces in modern tactics before leading them into battle against some long-standing foes. Amidst the chaos, an arrow pierced Dravot’s jacket, but he emerged unscathed, ready to continue their campaign of conquest and plunder.

As the legend of the arrowhead grows, both sides come to revere Dravot as a deity, oblivious to the fact that his bandolier had actually halted the arrow’s trajectory. Victory after victory follows, with the vanquished swelling the ranks of the army, leaving them unopposed and free to march towards the sacred city of Sikandergul at the behest of its high priest. Upon arrival, the high priest orchestrates a reenactment of the arrow incident, seeking to determine whether Dravot is mortal or divine by observing his response to injury. When his shirt is torn open, the locals are astonished to find a tag around his neck bearing the sacred symbol left by Sikander, their name for Alexander the Great, who had prophesied the arrival of a son to rule over them.

The people hail Dravot as both king and god, lavishing upon him the treasures of the royal treasury, overflowing with gold and jewels. Carnehan suggests that they depart with as much plunder as they can carry, but Dravot is now enamored with the adoration of the locals, settling disputes and issuing decrees. He even begins to dream of visiting Queen Victoria on equal terms. Moreover, his fascination with Roxane grows, prompting him to renounce their pact against women, declaring his intention to marry her and leave an heir for the people. When Roxane is reluctantly brought before him, he attempts to kiss her, only for her terror that the touch of a god would mean death to a mortal to prompt her to bite his cheek. As the people behold him bleed, they realize their mistake in regarding him as divine and attempt to apprehend the British impostors.

Outnumbered in the ensuing battle, Dravot is captured and led onto the rope bridge, where he breaks into song with “The Son of God Goes Forth to War”. When the ropes are severed, he plummets to his death. Carnehan is crucified between two pine trees but miraculously survives to be found alive the next morning. Shattered in body and mind by his ordeal, he returns to India as a beggar. Finishing his tale, he departs Kipling’s office, leaving behind a bundle on the desk. Kipling opens it to find Dravot’s skull, still adorned with its golden crown.