Yul Brynner Book:

Yul: The Man Who Would Be King Reviews:
Life of the King
2006-05-04 - I recently stumbled on this biography. I meant to flip through it to look up some trivia and ended up reading it cover to cover. It's an eye-opening and quite moving account of the actor we've come to associate with The King & I. The book details much of the circumstances around Brynner's films which I found most interesting. It's sad that such a gifted actor with a talent for directing ended up making so many B-movies. I really enjoyed this book. His rocky relationship with his son (no pun intended), adds a new dimension to his personna. The only drawback for me is that some of the events are told out of synch. For a good companion piece, read Yul Brynner: The Inscrutable King by Jhans Robbins. The chronology of events are clearer there. Plus, it has a complete list of Brynner's works.

Sad tale
2005-11-20 - I recently saw some movies of Yul Brynner and was much impressed by his talents as an actor and his incredible screen presence. I read this book to find out more about the man behind the actor. I felt extremely sad after learning how he would put fame above family and friends. Myself an immigrant twice in two different countries, and having to learn French as a second language and then English a while later, just like Yul had to, I experienced the same exclusion and injustice as he did and I understand his anger against the Fox executives and those who profited from the actors. I wished he did get a chance to become a movie director...and succeed as such because his life probably would have been very different. It is ironic that he would hate his father so much to the point of wanting to kill him for not being there for him but that he, would too, abandon his wives and children. Despite being disappointed in his behavior, he remains the greatest actor to my eyes. Bless his heart and I wish that in his next life, he would be a more forgiving and compassionate person.

The man who would be king
2005-09-19 - This excellent biography of Yul Brynner, written by his son Rock, is a must-read for all of the King's many fans. It clarifies the often-conflicting stories of Yul Brynner's birth, describes his childhood in Paris (where he spent his time entertaining in gypsy night clubs), and his memorable stint on Broadway in "The King and I" in the 1950s. His film successes, such as "The King and I" and The Ten Commandments, and his many screen flops are discussed, but it is Yul, the family man, who is at the center of the book.

When Rock was young, his father doted on him; even after his parents divorced and Yul moved on through three more marriages, the two were close. But when his son failed to achieved stability or success as a young adult, Yul summarily cut off all ties with him for a while. In the 1980s, out of money (as always), Yul began an eight-year tour of "The King and I" which was hugely successful, but he identified with the role so completely, he became an unreasonable tyrant, alienating himself from those closest to him. He kept doing eight shows a week even after he was diagnosed with cancer, dying just weeks after his 4,633rd performance as the King.

This is a riveting biography about a fascinating man.

Kona

Yul Brynner - A Flawed King
2003-06-22 - This book, written by his son Rock Brynner, is a poignant and revealing look into the life of his famous father, Yul Brynner. Rock unveils "The King," and shows that his father was a flawed, and sometimes wreckless man behind the "King's" facade. Rock uncovers how life was growing up with his famous father, and how he could never live up to the expectations of a King. Rock's literary style mix fact with his own feelings about - The Man Who Would Be King.

Sad overall picture
1999-09-16 - I enjoyed the honesty of Son Yul Jr. He tried so hard to please his Dad and follow his footsteps Never could quite live up to SR. expectations.So sad that he dumped so many of wives and children the final blow DISOWNING his children in will.. Sad Sad yet I loved him as a talented actor. Where and how is YUL Jr. today I wish him well. He loved his Dad so much