Farewell to the King

PG-13

Released Mar 3, 1989

1h 57m

War

Action

Drama

List

55%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After escaping from imprisonment by Japanese forces, American soldier Learoyd (Nick Nolte) takes shelter in the remote wilderness of Borneo. When Learoyd encounters a primitive tribe out in the jungle, it seems that he may be in trouble again, but the natives, awed by his unfamiliar appearance, embrace him as a god. Later, British troops discover Learoyd and his followers, and, though he isn't inclined to return to battle, events lead to his fighting for his adopted people.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

What is most interesting about Farewell to the King is its impulse to tell this story at all. It could so easily have become ridiculous, or merely violent, but Milius keeps edging back toward the philosophy of his hero.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

some over-the-top histrionics don't keep it from being worth a look

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 15, 2006

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

DVDTalk.com

The "white man as noble savage and isn't it ironic?" material runs out of steam well before the inexhaustible Nick Nolte does.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 10, 2006

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 19, 2005

Full Review

Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Rated: 2/5

Aug 2, 2004

Full Review

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Steven C

One of Nick Nolte best performance excellent movie if you haven't watched it I definitely say this movie was worth watching rotten tomatoes and the audience who didn't like I say go back and watch it again 👍👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Good story, well acted and nearly a non-Hollywood ending.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is interesting at times, but is ultimately just not that good. Nick Nolte is cringe worthy at times. I laughed out loud a few times due to his over the top acting.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A film that you wouldn't think would work but really does. Its a fantatsic film that i think deserves more attention and i think soon it will once it gets more discovered.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

During World War II, American deserter Learoyd (Nick Nolte) escapes a Japanese firing squad. Hiding himself in the wilds of Borneo, Learoyd is adopted by a head-hunting tribe of Dayaks, who consider him divine because of his blue eyes. Before long, Learoyd is the reigning king of the Dayaks. When the British soldier Captain Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) and his accomplice Sergeant Tenga (Frank McRae) approach him to rejoin the war against the Japanese, Learoyd resists. But, when his own tribe is threatened by the invaders, Learoyd decides to fight for their rights, and to protect their independence... John Milius has truly a mixed CV on his head with writing credits for movies such as "Dirty Harry", "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean", "Jeremiah Johnson". "Jaws" and "Apocalypse Now" and direction credits for movies such as "Conan the Barbarian", "Red Dawn" and "Farewell to the King". Let´s say he has a nack for various cinematic results. "Farewell to the King" carries the mark of Joseph Conrad´s "Heart of Darkness" and Francis Ford Coppola´s "Apocalypse Now", but is hardly up there with the mentioned works of art. This adventure story based on freedom, war, escapism and struggle with inner demons has such mixed results. First of all you can´t get away from the fact the whole film feels like a poor mans "Apocalypse Now" and the performances are varied specifically Nick Nolte hasn´t his finest moment and is far too eccentric and far too over the top as Learoyd (bad name as well). The cinematography is ok and the environments are nice. But, something is just missing, despite the important message about war and the nature of the bond between Western adventurers and "savage" tribal people applicable to various American misadventures in history.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Decent. It tries to be a lot more epic and sweeping than it is, not that Nolte doesn't give it his all...

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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John Milius

Director

Nick Nolte

Learoyd

Nigel Havers

Capt. Fairbourne

Frank McRae

Sgt. Tenga

Marilyn Tokuda

Yoo

Aki Aleong

Col. Mitamura

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Synopsis

After escaping from imprisonment by Japanese forces, American soldier Learoyd (Nick Nolte) takes shelter in the remote wilderness of Borneo. When Learoyd encounters a primitive tribe out in the jungle, it seems that he may be in trouble again, but the natives, awed by his unfamiliar appearance, embrace him as a god. Later, British troops discover Learoyd and his followers, and, though he isn't inclined to return to battle, events lead to his fighting for his adopted people.

Director: John Milius
Rating: PG-13
Genre: War, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Surround