Kim (1950)

Set in 1885 India, a street urchin (Dean Stockwell) hides his English roots and poses as a native to avoid schooling. He attaches himself to a Buddhist holy man (Paul Lukas) and a horse trader (Errol Flynn), who spies for the British. Based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling and directed by Victor Saville (GREEN DOLPHIN STREET). If you can get past some of the incongruous casting like the Hungarian Paul Lukas, the Irish Cecil Kellaway and the Australian Errol Flynn as Indians, this is a rousing Technicolor adventure. Despite Flynn's top billing, his is definitely a supporting role. The film is called KIM and it's young Stockwell's movie to own. Some of the filming was done on location in India but there are still many rear projection shots and stage bound exteriors obviously shot on the MGM lot. If you're a fan of Kipling or movies like GUNGA DIN, then you should enjoy this one. I imagine young boys around 10 to 12 would also find much to enjoy here. Being an MGM film, it has rich lustrous look courtesy of William V. Skall (QUO VADIS). With Robert Douglas, Arnold Moss, Thomas Gomez, Ivan Triesault and Laurette Luez.