Comments on: Bad Movies I Love: Kings of the Sun (1963)

By: Michelle Nass

Michelle Nass — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:47:00 +0000

I will not see anymore killing and toruring the great actors on the steps of shame. And George Chikiris I don’t want to mean to you but the way you act out your character in the movie called Kings Of the Sun not good at all. Westside Story I don’t like the part where you have a pocketkive in your pocket trying to kill your rival not nice that was very mean to do. And go to Tucker Smith’s grave and say these words to him, he was nice and loved the way he did is acting role of Ice in Westside Story. Russ Tamblyn I didn’t like the way you did your role of Riff in Westside Story you were going to kill your rival I simply disagree with you for your acting.

By: George Nixon

George Nixon — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:26:20 +0000

I always enjoyed this film, but always considered George Chakiris and Shirley Anne Field totally miscast. Chakiris made several other films around this time EG.”633 Squadron” where he played a Norwegian partisan!! He also sported the same hair style from “West Side Story”!!

By: Gorch

Gorch — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:29:42 +0000

Assistant director Robert Relyea recalls in his autobiography “Not so quiet on the set” that parts of the film were filmed at the actual pyramid at Chichen Itza. I can confirm this after two visits there myself.
Interestingly, he relates that Leo Gordon froze after the director yelled “cut” after he and his hordes had charged three quarters of the way up the pyramid. Everyone made their way down except poor Leo who was physically glued to the steps. Adrenaline and pride had propelled him about 150 feet up, but it took hours for a group of stuntmen to tie ropes around him, blindfold him, and guide him down one step at a time. Relyea says that he clung so close to the steps that his bare chest left a trail of blood.
My own visits resulted in a climb about 20 steps up before I turned around and descended on my behind. Those steps are uneven and very short for a modern man, even with a size nine shoe.
I respect Mr. Gordon for even attempting his charge.

We deal in lead, friend

By: Rocky

Rocky — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:22:15 +0000

Hey, this is a GREAT movie, even if it isn’t totally successful in depicting pre-Columbian society. It’s interesting that you mentioned Chakiris’ “diffidence”. He literally seemed to flinch on camera when he had a close-up at times, but he had a regal bearing. I never heard that Brynner might have been Spartacus. Douglas was great in that part, but Brynner might have been scarier.

Thanks for writing about a little known movie that deserves a look, since the creators’ reach exceeded their grasp.

By: ziggy 67

ziggy 67 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:27:50 +0000

Man, you hit the nail on the head regarding this little-known ‘popcorn flick’. Echoed my thoughts like a psychic–with Basehart,Gordon, Morse & Chakiris (especially THOSE wigs, Yikes), but also about Brynner, an exciting and magnetic presense in any film. Loved it (even though I’m sure it wasn’t good for me either)
Thanks, moira.

By: Part Time Lover

Part Time Lover — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:53:37 +0000

I thought overall Kings of the Sun was a good movie but what ruined this movie was Brad Dexter with that ugly hat and a few tacky props that were used in movie (no need for that). I also thought that Yul Brynner was amazing in this movie and look amazing, I think he was the only actor in this movie that really was into his character convincingly. I really enjoy watching the rivalry between Brynner’s character and Chakiris’ character. I agree that they should have work on the script a bit more or added a few details to help this movie but it is enough to understand the plot. I think the real highlight of this movie is flaunting the beefcake status of both Brynner and Chakiris (love it!), the producers knows that sex is gonna sell. So what if it matters how bad the script was or how the movie was not historically accurate, what really matters to this movie is why are these two hot hunky men fighting each other for the same girl? and why I’m not that girl?

I admit this was better than Mel Gibson movie.

By: Jerry 42nd Street Memories

Jerry 42nd Street Memories — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:04:22 +0000

Thanks for the heads up on Leo Gordon. Didn’t plan on watching now I have to see it.

By the way, RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11 had a smorgasbord of great character actors:

Neville Brand, Leo Gordon, Emile Meyer, Whit Bissell, Frank Faylen, Dabbs Greer, Paul Frees come to mind. With Brand getting BAFTA nominated.

By: Suzi Doll

Suzi Doll — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:30:46 +0000

According to the info-tainment book about Hollywood I have been fact-checking all summer, Brynner’s name was originally Yuol Bryner, or at least it was that spelling before he was ‘Yul Brynner.’ Mysterious name, mysterious actor. Yet, I always thought he was so cool. Still do. My favorite Brynner movie is INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER, which sounds like it is probably better than KINGS OF THE SUN! But, like you say, he is generally the best thing about any movie he is in.