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The King Is Alive

Play trailer Poster for The King Is Alive R,  2000,  1h 48m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 60% 65 Reviews Tomatometer 59% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Stranded in the heat of a barren African desert, eleven bus-passengers shelter in the remnants of an abandoned town. As rescue grows more remote by the day and anxiety deepens, an idea emerges: why not stage a play? However, the choice of King Lear only manages to plunge this disparate group of travelers into turmoil as they struggle to overcome both nature's wrath and their own morality.
The King Is Alive

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though the plot feels rather contrived, the ensemble acting in this Dogme 95 film is good.

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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Judell IndieWire Jul 3, 2014
9/10
The King is Alive interweaves the madness, the foolhardiness, the greed and the ferocity of human nature that Shakespeare depicted so brilliantly in Lear back in 1606, and shatters us again and again with its insights made refreshed. Go to Full Review
Lisa Nesselson Variety Jul 6, 2008
:ags in the middle, growing more interesting -- if hardly more original -- only as the situation deteriorates. Go to Full Review
Geoff Andrew Time Out Jun 24, 2006
It's all very watchable, thanks to excellent performances all around... Go to Full Review
Jason Gorber Film Scouts Jun 21, 2007
A
I spent much of the movie marvelling about how the form and style of the Dogme film fit perfectly into the story, and how none of the players seemed like they were pretending, even when they were being theatrical. Go to Full Review
Andy Klein New Times Jun 10, 2004
3/5
Dan Lybarger Nitrate Online Jan 6, 2004
3/5
Even for a Dogma 95 movie, this one is unusual because it features a remote, exotic setting and a Shakepearean subtext. Go to Full Review
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The King Is Alive

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Cast & Crew

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Kristian Levring

Director

Miles Anderson

Jack

Romane Bohringer

Catherine

David Bradley

Henry

David Calder

Charles

Bruce Davison

Ray

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The King Is Alive

Bruce Davison is Ray in IFC Films' The King Is Alive. David Bradley is Henry in IFC Films' The King Is Alive. Jennifer Jason Leigh is Gina in IFC Films' The King Is Alive. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Romane Bohringer in IFC Films' The King Is Alive. Kristian Levring directs Jennifer Jason Leigh on the set of IFC Films' The King Is Alive. Janet McTeer is Liz in IFC Films' The King Is Alive. Ray (Bruce Davison) leads a group of disparate tourists stranded in the desert in IFC Films' The King Is Alive. The King Is Alive (2000) The King Is Alive (2000) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Stranded in the heat of a barren African desert, eleven bus-passengers shelter in the remnants of an abandoned town. As rescue grows more remote by the day and anxiety deepens, an idea emerges: why not stage a play? However, the choice of King Lear only manages to plunge this disparate group of travelers into turmoil as they struggle to overcome both nature's wrath and their own morality.
Director
Kristian Levring
Producer
Patricia Kruijer, Vibeke Windeløv
Screenwriter
Anders Thomas Jensen, Kristian Levring, William Shakespeare
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Good Machine, Newmarket Capital Group, Nordic Film & TV Fund
Rating
R (Language|Sexuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 11, 2000, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA)
$103.5K
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Surround
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