Watch The Royal Hunt of the Sun

The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a 1969 historical drama film directed by Irving Lerner and based on Peter Shaffer's play of the same name. The movie tells the story of the conquest of the Inca Empire by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The plot revolves around the figure of Francisco Pizarro (Robert Shaw), the leader of a small army of Spanish soldiers who embark on a perilous expedition to South America. Their goal is to capture the Inca king Atahualpa (Christopher Plummer) and ransom him for gold and silver. The journey is arduous and the Spanish troops face many challenges along the way, including hunger, disease, and hostile tribes.

When they finally reach Peru, Pizarro sends a small party to negotiate with Atahualpa, who is initially friendly but soon becomes aware of the Spaniards' true intentions. The Inca king decides to use diplomacy to outmaneuver the Spanish and gain the upper hand. However, Pizarro is not easily deterred and sees the encounter as an opportunity to seize power and riches.

The two leaders meet in person, and what follows is a tense conversation that reveals the stark cultural divide between the Spanish and the Incas. Pizarro, a ruthless and ambitious conqueror, tries to force Atahualpa to submit to his authority, while the Inca king, confident in his own divinity, refuses to bow down to what he sees as barbarians. The scene is masterfully played by Robert Shaw and Christopher Plummer, who deliver powerful performances that showcase the complexity of their characters.

The rest of the film depicts the clash of civilizations that ensues between the Spaniards and the Incas. The capture of Atahualpa and the eventual downfall of the Inca Empire are shown in all their brutality, as the Spanish soldiers resort to violence and torture to subdue the natives. Nigel Davenport plays Hernando de Soto, Pizarro's second-in-command, who is torn between his loyalty to his leader and his conscience.

The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a visually stunning film that captures the beauty of the South American landscape and the grandeur of the Inca civilization. The costumes, sets, and music all contribute to creating a sense of historical authenticity that immerses the viewer in the story. The direction by Irving Lerner is confident and assured, and he manages to balance the epic scale of the narrative with intimate character moments that reveal the humanity of the protagonists.

Overall, The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging film that explores themes of power, greed, and cultural clash. The performances by Robert Shaw, Christopher Plummer, and Nigel Davenport are outstanding, and the cinematography and production design are top-notch. The movie is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the conquest of the Americas, and for fans of epic historical dramas in general.

The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a 1969 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.