Kings of the Sun
| Kings of the Sun | |
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Theatrical release poster by Irv Doctor
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| Directed by | J. Lee Thompson |
| Produced by | Lewis J. Rachmil |
| Screenplay by | James R. Webb |
| Story by | Elliott Arnold |
| Starring |
Yul Brynner George Chakiris |
| Narrated by | James Coburn |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | Joseph MacDonald |
| Edited by | William Reynolds |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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108 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4 million |
| Box office | $1,600,000 (US/ Canada) |
Kings of the Sun is a 1963 DeLuxe Color film directed by J. Lee Thompson for Mirisch Productions set in Mesoamerica at the time of the conquest of Chichen Itza by Hunac Ceel. Location scenes filmed in Mazatlán and Chichen Itza. The film marks the second project Thompson completed with Yul Brynner within a year — the other being Taras Bulba.
Balam (George Chakiris) is the son of the ruler of a Mayan tribe who use wooden swords (with obsidian edges). His father is killed in battle against metal-blade armed rivals led by Hunac Ceel (Leo Gordon). Balam succeeds to the throne, but is convinced by his advisers, including the head priest, to lead his followers away from the Yucatán, sail to the American Gulf Coast region, so they might regain their strength and fight again another day.
Balam's party comes to a coastal settlement with many boats. Balam wants the population of the settlement to join him with their boats. The settlement's chief agrees if Balam agrees to marry his daughter, Ixchel (Shirley Anne Field), and make her Queen. Balam agrees.
The new land they arrive in is a province occupied by a Native American tribe led by Black Eagle (Yul Brynner). 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 taken captive to the Mayans' fortified settlement. Balam's love interest Ixchel tends to the Indian's wounds and gains an interested suitor, one who is more forthcoming with his love for her.
Balam is under pressure to resume their custom of human sacrifice by sacrificing Black Eagle. Balam has always been against the policy of human sacrifice and sets Black Eagle free.
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Wikipedia