Kim (1950)

Kim, a young boy living on his own on the streets of India, is actually the son of a British officer. He meets a lama, a holy man, and devotes himself to his tending. But when British ... See full summary »

Director:

Victor Saville

Writers:

Leon Gordon (screenplay), Helen Deutsch (screenplay),

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Dean Stockwell, Paul Lukas

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Errol Flynn	...	Mahbub Ali, the Red Beard
Dean Stockwell	...	Kim
Paul Lukas	...	Lama
Robert Douglas	...	Colonel Creighton
Thomas Gomez	...	Emissary
Cecil Kellaway	...	Hurree Chunder
Arnold Moss	...	Lurgan Sahib
Reginald Owen	...	Father Victor
Laurette Luez	...	Laluli
Richard Hale	...	Hassan Bey
Roman Toporow	...	The Russian
Ivan Triesault	...	The Russian

Storyline

Kim, a young boy living on his own on the streets of India, is actually the son of a British officer. He meets a lama, a holy man, and devotes himself to his tending. But when British administrators discover his birthright, he is placed in a British school. His nature, however, is opposed to the regimentation expected for the son of a British soldier, and he rebels. His familiarity with Indian life and his ability to pass as an Indian child allows him to function as a spy for the British as they attempt to thwart revolution and invasion of India. Rejoining his holy man, Kim (with the help of daring adventurer Mahbub Ali) takes on a dangerous mission.

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Plot Keywords:

india | lama | spy | voice over narration | 1880s | 

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Taglines:

M-G-M Presents One Of The Year's Biggest!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rudyard Kipling's Kim

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Loew's

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Wilhelm scream is heard twice when Mahbub Ali and Kim roll a large rock down a hillside causing a landslide and supposedly crushing the attacking warriors.

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Goofs

When Kim is being pulled back up from the cliff ledge, safety wire is visible.

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Connections

Version of Kim (1984)

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Soundtracks

"D'Ye Ken John Peel?"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

One of the Best of All "Boys' Adventures"

A faithful rendering of Kipling's exciting tale, together with fine screen falues and an all-star cast makes for fine entertainment for young and old alike.

I remember being read Kipling as a young boy, and while the animated Disney bastardization of the Jungle Book is unwatchable for anyone who knows the book, this rendering of Kipling's other great adventure is in a class with other great "exotic" films like The Four Feathers and King Solomon's Mines.

While some may fault the rather unconvincing casting of an over-the-hill Flynn as a dashing thief and Paul Lucas as an aging lama, these professionals soon overcome that liability and assume their characters successfully.

Dean Stockwell was at his peak as a child star. His impishness as a white boy gone native suggests the perverseness characteristic of his screen persona in a successful transition to adult roles.

Imagine a young boy (in a non politically correct milieu) being read or watching Kim just before bedtime. What dreams he'll have!

By the way, while parts of the film were made on a soundstage or backlot - like all films with decent sound - much of it was shot on location - IN INDIA.