Kings of the Sun
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| Kings of the Sun | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster |
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| Directed by | J. Lee Thompson |
| Produced by | Lewis J. Rachmil |
| Starring | Yul Brynner George Chakiris |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | 1963 |
| Country |  USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Kings of the Sun is a 1963 movie directed by J. Lee Thompson set in Mesoamerica at the time of the conquest of Chichen Itza by Hunac Ceel. The story is about Mayan refugees who sail to the Mississippi River Valley and lay the foundation for the Mississippian culture complex.
In this historical adventure saga, Balam (George Chakiris) is the son of the ruler of a Mayan tribe who use wooden swords. His father is killed in battle against a steel-blade swinging rivals led by Hunac Ceel (Leo Gordon) and Balam succeeds to the throne, but is convinced by his advisers--including Richard Basehart as the head priest-- to lead his followers off the Yucatan, sail to the American Gulf Coast region, so they might regain their strength and fight again another day. This new land, though, is a province occupied by an Indian tribe led by Black Eagle (Yul Brynner), and they are none too pleased about these strange, uninvited immigrants. In a small raid to capture one of the Mayans, Black Eagle is wounded and himself captured, and returned to the Mayan's fortified settlement. Balam's love interest Ixchel (Shirley Ann Field) tends successfully to the Indian's wounds and gains yet another interested suitor, one who is more forthcoming with his love for her. (In this film Yul Brenner is in peak physical shape, and skimpy deerskins. He at times moves like a dancer, even to lie down.) Eventually the two leaders agree to coexist in peace. Of course, a further argument ensues and the Indians depart, just as Hunac Ceel (Leo Gordon), Balam's old nemesis, sails over the horizon still in pursuit. His army mounts a furious attack, and is eventually defeated by the united front of Indians and the transplanted Mayans. (Adapted from the slightly incorrect NYTimes review.)
The film stars Yul Brynner, George Chakiris, Shirley Ann Field, Richard Basehart, Barry Morse, Brad Dexter, Armando Silvestre, Victoria Vetri, and Leo Gordon. It was produced by Lewis J. Rachmil, music score by Elmer Bernstein, and released by United Artists.
