The God King

The God King is a 1974 British–Sri Lankan historical film directed by Lester James Peries. The film is based on the historical clash between brothers Kasyapa and Moggalana on Sigiriya Rock.

The God King
Directed byLester James Peries
Written byAnthony Greville-Bell
Produced byDimitri de Grunwald
StarringLeigh Lawson Swineetha Weerasinghe
Oliver Tobias
Geoffrey Russell
Ravindra Randeniya
CinematographyWilliam Blake
Edited bySumitra Peries
Russ Lloyd
Robert Richardson
Music byNimal Mendis
Lawrence Ashmore
Release date
1975
Running time
99 min
CountriesSri Lanka
United Kingdom
LanguagesEnglish
Sinhala
Budget$3 million[1]

Producer Dimitri de Grunwald financed the epic film as a dual project between England and Sri Lanka. He provided the three main actors, the script, the assistant director, the production Manager, makeup artist and money while the task of making the film was given to the Sri Lankans.

Plot

King Kasyapa (Leigh Lawson) is the son of King Dhatusena (Geoffrey Russell). Kasyapa murdered his father by walling him alive and then usurping the throne which rightfully belonged to his brother Mogallana (Ravindra Randeniya), Dhatusena's son by the true queen. Mogallana fled to India to escape being assassinated by Kasyapa but vowed revenge. In India he raised an army with the intention of returning and retaking the throne of Sri Lanka which was rightfully his. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallana, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace.

Cast
ActorRole
Leigh LawsonKasyapa, the God King
Oliver TobiasMigara
Geoffrey RussellKing Dhatusena
Ravindra RandeniyaMoggallana
Iranganie SerasingheVaruni
Joe AbeywickremaSwami
Anne LoosLeila
Vijaya KumaranatungaLalith
Douglas WickremasingheCouncil Leader
Mano BreckenridgeOpposition Leader
Menik KurukulasuriyaSomitra

See also

References
  1. Hall, William. (25 November 1973). "Movies: On the Set in Ceylon With Cast of Thousands". Los Angeles Times. p. s24.


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