The Man Who Would Be King

In the year 1885, journalist Rudyard Kipling encounters a scruffy derelict who turns out to be his old friend, Peachy Carnehan. Carnehan begins to recount their adventurous past, setting the stage for the tales of ambition and betrayal that follow.

Three years prior, Carnehan and his comrade Danny Dravot stole Kipling's pocket-watch. Upon discovering a masonic tag, Carnehan felt a strong obligation to return it, revealing a connection that would intertwine their fates.

After their first encounter with Kipling, Carnehan and Dravot attempt to blackmail a local raja. Their plans are thwarted when Kipling calls upon the British district commissioner to intervene, demonstrating the thin line between integrity and manipulation.

In a twist, Carnehan successfully blackmails the commissioner, allowing him to evade deportation. This act sets the tone for their further unscrupulous ambitions in India, revealing the lengths they will go for freedom and profit.

Faced with the monotony of life in civilized India, Carnehan and Dravot decide to embark on a bold journey to Kafiristan. Armed with rifles and ammunition, their goal is to conquer and exploit the region that has remained largely untouched by Europeans.

The duo sets off on a treacherous journey through the Khyber Pass, braving bandits and blizzard conditions. Their determination to carve out a destiny for themselves deepens as they navigate the perilous terrains of Afghanistan.

Upon reaching Kafiristan, Carnehan and Dravot meet Billy Fish, a Gurkha soldier who becomes their ally. He helps them bridge cultural gaps and provides vital connections that assist them in their rise to power among local leaders.

With their newfound military might, Carnehan and Dravot join forces with a local chief in a plundered village. They lead successful raids against rival factions, gaining respect and followers through their cunning strategies.

After a fierce battle, an arrow strikes Dravot's jacket, reinforcing the belief among locals that he is a divine figure. This moment marks a turning point in their conquests, as Dravot's persona starts to take on a godlike status among the villagers.

The high priest of Sikandergul summons Dravot and Carnehan to validate Dravot's supposed divinity through a dramatic reenactment. When a sacred symbol is discovered around Dravot’s neck, he is hailed as both king and god, sealing his fate with the locals.

As Dravot's influence grows, he discovers a royal treasury filled with gold and jewels. Despite Carnehan's warnings to flee while they can, Dravot is intoxicated by his newfound power and decides to cement his position among the people.

Dravot's affection for the local beauty Roxane leads him to violate his oath with Carnehan. He chooses to marry her, hoping to establish a dynasty, demonstrating how ambition can cloud judgment and lead to downfall.

When Roxane is brought to Dravot, fear overcomes her, leading to a violent confrontation. In a shocking turn of events, her resistance unveils Dravot's humanity, provoking the villagers who had revered him.

As villagers rage against Dravot's betrayal, he is captured and placed on a rope bridge. In a moment of defiance, he sings a hymn, but the bridge gives way, leading to his tragic fall and the collapse of their empire.

After surviving a night of brutal imprisonment, Carnehan returns to India, now broken and homeless. The saga of ambition and betrayal concludes as he leaves Kipling with a grim reminder of their disastrous adventure: Dravot's skull adorned with a golden crown.