The God King

Infobox Film | name = The God King


caption =
director = Lester James Peries
producer = Dimitri de Grunwald
writer = Anthony Greville-Bell
starring = Leigh Lawson
Oliver Tobias
Geoffrey Russell
Ravindra Randeniya
music = Nimal Mendis
Lawrence Ashmore
Cinematography = William Blake
editing = Sumitra Peries
Russ Lloyd
Robert Richardson
distributor =
country = Sri Lanka
released = flagicon|Sri Lanka 1975
runtime = 99 min
language = Sinhala
budget =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0382718
followed_by =

"The God King" is a 1975 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.

Jewish 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.

Mogallana finally arrived and declared war. During the battle Kasyapa's armies abandoned him and he committed suicide by falling on his sword.

Cast