Take a look at the title page of the KJV. "Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised." [italics mine] When that is done today for a work intended to be accurate (like the NIV) rather than a piece for casual reading (e.g. Living Bible), lots of footnotes result. The most ancient manuscripts were not available in the days of the translation of the "Authorized Version" (which is what it really should be called -- it was authorized for the Church of England). So of course it couldn't have the same footnotes we have today, even if the translation committee had been asked to furnish them. But it does appear to have been done with a somewhat authoritarian, rather than authoritative, bent.
I do not worship the KJV. I have used many translations. I have read the Bible in Hebrew and Greek. I have studied the manuscript issues. I just want people to know that there is an excellent case for preferring the KJV family of translations.