''The Man Who Would Be King'' is a past gem from Oscar nominee Michael Caine

”The Man Who Would Be King” is a past gem from Oscar nominee Michael Caine

COSTARS Sean Connery, Christopher Plummer, and Shakira Caine (a.k.a. the woman who would be Mrs. Michael Caine)

PREMISE Rough-edged, 19th-century British colonial soldiers in India (Caine and Connery) find adventure, glory, and tragedy when a local tribe mistakes them for gods.

FUN FACT Director John Huston had wanted to adapt Rudyard Kipling’s story for decades, first envisioning Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart for the lead roles, then Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, then Robert Redford and Paul Newman, before Newman himself suggested Connery and Caine.

WHY IT’S GREAT Caine learns the high price of imperialism — much like his character in ”The Quiet American” does — but he and Connery have a roaring good time in the process.