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IMDbPro

The Royal Hunt of the Sun

  • 19691969
  • GG
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
743
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
32,057
1,799
The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
AdventureDramaHistory
In 1532, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro leads an expedition into the heart of the Inca Empire and captures the Incan Emperor Atahualpa and claims Peru for Spain.In 1532, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro leads an expedition into the heart of the Inca Empire and captures the Incan Emperor Atahualpa and claims Peru for Spain.In 1532, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro leads an expedition into the heart of the Inca Empire and captures the Incan Emperor Atahualpa and claims Peru for Spain.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
743
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
32,057
1,799
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Irving Lerner
    • Writers
      • Peter Shaffer(play)
      • Philip Yordan
    • Stars
      • Robert Shaw
      • Christopher Plummer
      • Nigel Davenport
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Irving Lerner
    • Writers
      • Peter Shaffer(play)
      • Philip Yordan
    • Stars
      • Robert Shaw
      • Christopher Plummer
      • Nigel Davenport
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos33

    Style B, 1 sheet movie poster
    The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Leonard Whiting in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Christopher Plummer in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Christopher Plummer in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Christopher Plummer in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Christopher Plummer in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Robert Shaw in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Nigel Davenport in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Christopher Plummer in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Christopher Plummer and Robert Shaw in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
    Robert Shaw and Leonard Whiting in The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Shaw
    Robert Shaw
    • Francisco Pizarro
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Atahuallpa
    Nigel Davenport
    Nigel Davenport
    • Hernando de Soto
    Leonard Whiting
    Leonard Whiting
    • Young Martin
    Michael Craig
    Michael Craig
    • Estete
    Andrew Keir
    Andrew Keir
    • Valverde
    William Marlowe
    William Marlowe
    • Candia
    James Donald
    James Donald
    • King Carlos
    Alexander Davion
    Alexander Davion
    • De Nizza
    Shmulik Kraus
    Shmulik Kraus
    • Felipillo
    • (as Sam Krauss)
    Percy Herbert
    Percy Herbert
    • Diego
    David Bauer
    David Bauer
    • Villac Umu
    Danny Yordan
    • Vasca
    Alfredo Porras
    • Manco
    Joaquín Parra
    • Mendoza
    • (as Joaquin Parra)
    José Panizo
    • Salinas
    • (as Jose Panzio)
    Óscar Álvarez
    • Rodas
    • (as Oscar Alvarez)
    Lisardo De La Inglesia
    • Domingo
    • (as Lisardo de la Inglesia)
    • Director
      • Irving Lerner
    • Writers
      • Peter Shaffer(play)
      • Philip Yordan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Citing frustrations with typecasting and the infrequency of high-quality roles, Christopher Plummer wanted to concentrate on directing and had suggested that this movie might be his last film appearance.
    • Quotes

      Francisco Pizarro: You'll have to furnish me with better argument before I give up Atahualpa!

      Estete: Perverse man, what is Atahualpa to you?

      Francisco Pizarro: Someone I promised life.

      Estete: Promised life. How quaint. The sort of chivalrous idea that you pretend to despise. If you want to be an absolute king, my man, you have to learn how to act out of self-will! Break your word, just because you made it! 'Til then, you're nothing but a... a pig-man trying to copy his betters.

      Valverde: My son, listen to me. No promise to a Pagan need bind a Christian. Simply think what's at stake. The lives of one hundred and sixty-seven of the faithful. Are you willing to sacrifice them for one savage?

      Francisco Pizarro: You know lives have no weight. Ten cannot be added up to outbalance one.

      Valverde: Ten good can against one evil, and this man is evil. His people kiss his hands as the source of life!

      Francisco Pizarro: As we do yours. All day you play at being God. You only hate my Inca because he does it better! I despise you! 'Kill who I bid you kill, and I will pardon it'? You with your milky fingers, forcing in the blade? How dare you priests bless a man going into battle? 'Rip!' you scream. 'Tear, blind, in the name of Christ!' Tell me, soft Father - if Christ were here, would He kill the Inca?

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Deep (1977)

    User reviews29

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Colourful Stage Play
    The first time I saw this flick, I was disappointed; disappointed because I'd expected an adventure tale of King Soloman proportions, an Aladdin's cave full of gold, and bloody Inca battles in a Peruvian jungle setting. In hindsight, I should've read the reviews, because my frame of mind would've been in the right place to enjoy this intense character study. Suffice to say on second viewing, I was able to appreciate the quality of the stage-born dialogue, and the precision with which its delivered by both Shaw and Plummer in their unique portrayals of demi-gods by any other name.

    Narratively, it's a detailed snapshot of Pizarro's ill-fated conquest of the Incas, not for the glory of gold, but for the almost sanctimonious obsession with divinity and unparalleled colonialism. In essence, he signed his ticket before he departed Spain, promising the world he could never deliver, pursuing a pathological indulgence to satisfy his superior ego. There's an element of pity in Shaw's depiction of Pizarro, that of a mercenary without a war, unable to adjust to a civilian life. Shaw is magnificent as the deeply righteous conquistador whose eloquence in arguing secular sovereignty, fails to dominate the simple native lexicon of King Atahualpa (Plummer), communicating in a basically nonsensical series of clicks and chirps. If Atahualpa can prove he is a God, Pizarro will recognise his sovereignty, but if not, both his life and his land of rich antiquities will belong to the kingdom of Spain.

    With Michael Craig, Leonard Whiting and Nigel Davenport in the wings, it's an ensemble British cast of true quality, and the performances are first rate. Set design, costumes, score and script deliver, and while momentum is at times a distinct challenge, if you're not fully engaged in the dialogue, the result is likely to be languid in pace and voluble in speak. My initial viewing was such; fortunately, I watched it a second time.
    helpful•9
    2
    • Chase_Witherspoon
    • Jan 25, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1969 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Quechua
    • Also known as
      • Der Untergang des Sonnenreiches
    • Filming locations
      • Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Benmar Productions
      • Cinema Center Films
      • Royal Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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