Based on a now forgotten novel entitled The Durian Tree (by Michael Keon), The 7th Dawn emerges an absorbing, involving and fairly interesting political adventure movie. At the time the film wasn't greeted with much enthusiasm by the critics but looking back there are several factors that make their negative outlook of the film seem somewhat inaccurate. For starters, the film takes a surprisingly damning stance against the way the British deal with terrorism and anarchy in far flung corners of the world. One would expect a cosier, more flattering representation but The 7th Dawn has the courage to be critical of the British handling of such situations. Add to that some strong performances, luscious cinematography (by Frederick Young), and a number of memorable scenes and you're looking at a film that has been largely under-rated down the years.
At the end of WWII, freedom fighters in the Malayan jungle are finally able to leave their dens and hideouts in the undergrowth and get back to something resembling normality. One fighter, the American Ferris (William Holden), decides to buy a patch of land and turn it into a rubber plantation, taking his old lady guerrilla friend Dhana (Capucine) as his mistress. Meanwhile another guerrilla named Ng (Tetsuro Tamba) heads off to Moscow to learn about communism. Fast-forward several years and Ng returns to Malaya a whole-hearted communist to fight against his former allies, the British, for the country's independence. Ng's men wreak havoc against the rubber plantations in the country but leave Ferris's alone because of their old comradeship. The British approach Ferris and ask for his help in stopping Ng's campaign of terror. Initially reluctant, Ferris nevertheless attempts to make his old friend see reason but to little avail. Matters are complicated further when Candace Trumphey (Susannah York), daughter of the British governor, falls in love with Ferris. When Dhana is accused of sympathising with the communist terrorists and sentenced to execution, Candace foolishly offers herself as a hostage to the communist forces in the hope of saving her . and the battle weary Ferris faces a race against time and the elements to save them both.
The 7th Dawn has its share of faults for sure. Karl Tunberg's script wanders a lot and seems in need of a little tightening-up; York's character isn't always convincing and upsets the solid characterisation found elsewhere in the film; the final scene virtually plagiarises the ending of Casablanca. But there's still a good deal to enjoy in this exotic jungle romp Holden is fine, Capucine plays a refreshingly strong female character, the action is exciting enough. One particularly powerful sequence features the British burning to the ground a village which has been unsuspectingly harbouring terrorists and their explosives; another shows hundreds of Malayan cyclists carrying out a protest ride against the British governor for ordering for a night-time bicycle curfew. Undeservedly forgotten and almost never screened nowadays, The 7th Dawn is a worthwhile watch if you can find it!
At the end of WWII, freedom fighters in the Malayan jungle are finally able to leave their dens and hideouts in the undergrowth and get back to something resembling normality. One fighter, the American Ferris (William Holden), decides to buy a patch of land and turn it into a rubber plantation, taking his old lady guerrilla friend Dhana (Capucine) as his mistress. Meanwhile another guerrilla named Ng (Tetsuro Tamba) heads off to Moscow to learn about communism. Fast-forward several years and Ng returns to Malaya a whole-hearted communist to fight against his former allies, the British, for the country's independence. Ng's men wreak havoc against the rubber plantations in the country but leave Ferris's alone because of their old comradeship. The British approach Ferris and ask for his help in stopping Ng's campaign of terror. Initially reluctant, Ferris nevertheless attempts to make his old friend see reason but to little avail. Matters are complicated further when Candace Trumphey (Susannah York), daughter of the British governor, falls in love with Ferris. When Dhana is accused of sympathising with the communist terrorists and sentenced to execution, Candace foolishly offers herself as a hostage to the communist forces in the hope of saving her . and the battle weary Ferris faces a race against time and the elements to save them both.
The 7th Dawn has its share of faults for sure. Karl Tunberg's script wanders a lot and seems in need of a little tightening-up; York's character isn't always convincing and upsets the solid characterisation found elsewhere in the film; the final scene virtually plagiarises the ending of Casablanca. But there's still a good deal to enjoy in this exotic jungle romp Holden is fine, Capucine plays a refreshingly strong female character, the action is exciting enough. One particularly powerful sequence features the British burning to the ground a village which has been unsuspectingly harbouring terrorists and their explosives; another shows hundreds of Malayan cyclists carrying out a protest ride against the British governor for ordering for a night-time bicycle curfew. Undeservedly forgotten and almost never screened nowadays, The 7th Dawn is a worthwhile watch if you can find it!