Customer Reviews

The 7th Dawn [VHS]

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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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.

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".

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.

Better than average adventure/drama and romantic triangle involving an American rubber plantation owner, Malay school teacher turned political activist and the daughter of a British diplomat. Lots of beautiful scenery showing the plantation and jungle. William Holden fans and those who like stories/films that take place in exotic locales will enjoy it. Although Capucine did an admirable job as the Malay school teacher, I've always found it distracting to use a European or American actress to play the part of an Asian - when there are so many extremely talented and beautiful Asian women. But alas, this was filmed in the early 60s, before we "discovered" that the best person to play the role of an Asian is an ASIAN! That's just a personal complaint of mine for all movies that did this and not a slam on this particular movie. As I mentioned, Capucine does a very convincing job and if you can convince yourself that she's perhaps Eurasian, then you're home free. I had seen the movie a couple times (theater, TV) and found it interesting enough to buy it on VHS, so that every few years we can slilp it into the VCR for another viewing. If you like movies like: The Year of Living Dangerously; Elephant Walk; The Naked Jungle; The Emerald Forest; - you'll enjoy this film.

Holden is in top form as a reluctant hero (as he is in so many of his adventure films) and fits the role perfectly. Supporting cast is an added bonus. Well worth viewing for an unusual setting and conflict between the British and the communist forces led by a former war buddy of Holden's. Good stuff for a Saturday night.

Years ago I found a copy of this movie in VHS format and it's deteriorated due to the high humidity in Asia. The story of a struggle in Malaya between WWII-time allies for the ultimate fate of Malaysia: the country that it is or a communist dominated state. It leaves one with an appreciation of the realities of what it took to create an independent Malaysia and a hint of why there were anti-Chinese feelings for a long time in that country.
I'm glad to see it's on DVD and recommend it to anyone interested in S.E. Asian History and a step away from the classic gung-ho Viet-Nam movies about the struggles against communist domination.

The Seventh Dawn, 1963 film

This Hollywood drama about personal conflicts uses the war for Malay independence in the 1950s as the background. Great Britain fought to keep control of this colony against those who fought for freedom from imperial exploitation. The British responded with Gun Prohibition and a death penalty for unlicenced firearms possession (as in Nazi-occupied Europe). Those who supported the fight for liberation would see their homes and villages destroyed (see Lidice, Ouradour). The British won this war, and established a neo-colonial regime that cooperated with the former Colonialists. One reason for this victory was the racial divisions of Malaya. Most support for this war for independence came from a racial minority, the Malay majority did not have this same level of political activity.

The techniques of destroying villages and resettling their people into concentration camps was blindly copied in South Vietnam. But it failed to work because the people were more united against foreign exploitation. The First Indochina War showed that colonialism could be defeated by a popular army that had no airplanes or tanks. The Dutch lost a similar war due to the unity of their subjects after the Japanese invaded and occupied this part of Indonesia.

The struggle is personified with an American plantation owner (presented as amoral and grasping), his teacher girlfriend (who is expendable in a romantic triangle), another love interest (the daughter of a politically important official), various colonial military and civil officials, and a former ally in the War against the Japanese (the insurgent leader). Can a popular figure be framed for a crime and then executed as an example? Will a heroic effort save her at the last minute? Would a moral person choose death before dishonor? Will the good guys win at the end? This is a good intellectual drama with action, but not a great success. It reminds me of a more philosophical film, "The Quiet American".

I had been searching for this movie for a long time.There has not been much on this subject,either print or film.
My interest in this film,is because I was in that war,from 1955to 1956,a period of 18 months.So thanks to Amazon
I was able to indulge myself.There is another film around called The Planters Wife,which is a lot more authentic
than the 7th dawn.

Steve.

A Great film, Great cast and Great storyline based on the struggle for Malayan Independenc. A thoroughly enjoyable film and one that has now joined my collection of REWATCHABLE FILMS.
Allen Two Feathers.

This is yet another great movie put out by William Holden. This movie is at the quality of Bridge on the River Kwai. Absolutely fantastic film. There is nothing I can say about this film to discourage ANYONE from see it.