Product Details

• Actors: William Holden, Susannah York, Capucine, Tetsuro Tamba, Michael Goodliffe
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 123 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304237677
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,154 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 7th Dawn, July 23, 2005

By 

Isaac Ho (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The 7th Dawn [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I highly recommend this movie to all those who are interested in the Malayan (now Malaysia) Emergency (l948-1960). The Malayan Emergency begins with the killing of several British planters by the Communist guerillas in Sungei Siput, Perak State of the then Malaya. The actual leader of the guerillas is none other than Chin Peng (see his memoirs Chin Peng: My Side of History). But in the film he is known as Ng. This l963 movie is based on the book, THE DURIAN TREE by British writer, Michael Keon. I was an eye-witness to several parts of the film being made in Malaysia. The beginning scene with the helicopter was filmed at the Forest Research Institue of Malaysia at Kepong. The next scene was also filmed in the grounds of FRIM at Bukit Laggong. Others scenes were filmed at the placid Lake Gardens, The Railway Station and the Moorish style Clock Tower Complex in Kuala Lumpur. The beach scene was filmed at Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan state. The various jungle scenes were filmed at Ulu Gombak on the Main Mountain Range of the country. Those were lush virgin rainforest being photographed. The jail scene was made at the famous Pudu Jail where Capucine was incarcerated for the hand geranade in her durain fruit. The rubber estate and rubber tappers at work were filmed on the Kuala Lumpur trunk road to Negri Sembilan. The entire picture was made entirely in Malaysia and within 30 miles of the scenic Kuala Lumpur. But, when the film was finally made and ready to show on the screen, the conservative Malay Government of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman banned it from being seen by Malaysians who might not know the truth of their country's Emergency which involved the guerillas (former anti-Japanese fighters)and the British colonialists. The colonialists promised independence to all Malayans after the Second World War, but broke the promise when they defeated the Jap invaders together with those heoric jungle fighters who bore the brunt of the barbaric invaders! This film is still highly sensitive today in Malaysia which is dominated by the Malay politicians. Though the hero of this story Chin Peng (Ng in the movie)and his five thousand troops had signed a peace treaty between the Malaysian and Thai government in the l980s. Yet Chin Peng and most of his freedom fighters (against the Jap invaders) were still not allow to visit the country for purely negative political reasons. This is a very good movie and there is some truth in what it is being portrayed. I like the main character William Holden. I therefore leave this to the imagination of the viewers. As the truth will set one free! Have fun.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure and romance of the highest order, April 3, 2011

By 

D. M. Kavanagh "western fan" (johannesburg,south africa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The 7th Dawn (MGM Limited Edition Collection) (DVD)

Watching a 'devil-may-care' William Holden hacking his way through the jungle is reminisent of his turn in "River Kwai"! Here he struggles with divided loyalties among lovers, friends and politicians. With good-looking capable actors,lush exotic location photography, a haunting musical score and equal amounts of suspense,action and romance this one is a winner - lambasted by critics with no regard for the masses "The Seventh Dawn" remains one of my all-time "guilty pleasures".

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific adventure film set in post WWII Asia, April 22, 2011

By 

Ironmike (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 7th Dawn (MGM Limited Edition Collection) (DVD)

Splendid cast and little known film that captures the turmoil of post WWII Mayala. Holden is once again perfectly cast as a man who is tired of war and wants to resume his rubber business, but old ties to the local Malayian communist leader draws him back into the violent fold of war. Filmed on location, this little seen film is excellent and finally on DVD. The only film to have British paratroopers making a jungle assault and Vampire jets zooming overhead. Cool. Check it out.