The 7th Dawn
The 7th Dawn
| 02 September 1964 (USA)
The 7th Dawn Trailers

Political and personal intrigues surround a group of characters in Malaya, after the close of the Second World War.

Reviews
Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever
GamerTab That was an excellent one.
Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic
Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
nixonkg-1 I have just watched this film, 46 years after its release. The film was shown on Classic Silver Screen, and unfortunately the print was of poor quality. I can imagine that Freddie Youngs photography would be stunning in a good quality print! Overall I would rate the film as average fare. Was this film or the original book based on factual events? I hate to be a "nit-picker", but at the beginning we see a helicopter with loudspeaker telling the rebels that the war with the Japanese is over. Now, I know early helicopters were used by the Allies in small numbers late in World War Two. But in a remote area such as Malaya? Anacronistic I would think! Also the aircraft was a Bristol Sycamore, not designed until the 50s!! This helicopter thing also happens in "Where Eagles Dare". Don't film researchers do there homework? Or do they include such "gaffs" just to p**s off "nit-pickers" like me!!
blanche-2 William Holden, Capucine, Susannah York, and Tetsurô Tanba star in "The 7th Dawn," a 1964 film done on location in Malaysia. At the end of World War II, Major Ferris (Holden) decides to stay in Malaysia, where he becomes a land baron. The woman who fought alongside him, Dhana, moves in with him. The third member of their trio, Ng (Tetsuro Tanba) who is like a brother to both of them, leaves to work with the communists.Over the years, it becomes more dangerous to live in Malaysia due to Communist terrorism as the British prepare for Malaysian independence. As the situation worsens, Major Ferris and Ng ultimately have a difficult and painful decision to make."The 7th Dawn" is visually stunning, with some absolutely magnificent photography throughout, with an interesting story that was overshadowed in history by Vietnam. William Holden is perfectly cast as the world-weary Ferris, and Capucine gives a very dignified performance as the highly regarded activist Dhana. Susannah York plays a beautiful young woman who falls for Ferris, and handsome Tetsuro Tanba gives a powerful performance as the dedicated Ng.Very good script without a typical Hollywood ending. I'm not quite sure why this film isn't more regarded.
eaglejet98 This is one of those films that goes unnoticed for some reason, despite having an excellent story, superb cast and breathtaking scenery.Although it is "entertainment", art does imitate life and we see the brutal reality of how a dedicated (and duped) Marxist revolutionary lets deep, committed friendships fall to the wayside, in fact uses those very friendships, to further his political cause.The film came out about the time the war in Vietnam became an American War and this may be the reason it did not do as well as it should have at the box office.A young Suzanna York is stunning; Capucine is the classic beauty she remained until her untimely, and sad, suicide in 1987. Bill Holden was the perennial Bill Holden. The Asian commie rat was a typical Asian commie rat. Those guys still don't have a clue. China will eventually fall not from within but from without-they can't keep the internet out and once its citizens see the real world out there, communism is finished.Well worth watching whenever you can catch it.
dbdumonteil This movie deserves a better rating,that's for sure.Capucine's character is arguably the stand-out as she portrays an uncompromising proud pure heroin,à la Joan of Arc,with dignity and grandeur.Her last scene particularly impresses as the cinematography does.Lewis Gilbert is not a seventh art genius but he avoids pathos and melodrama by using ellipsis :Holden and York are still in the jungle,desperately trying to arrive before it's too late and abruptly,the story takes us forward,several days after they returned.That said,York's character in not really credible,and Tamba's part is too cardboard when it demanded an ambiguous, in depth psychology.But interest is sustained till the end and I think the movie should be restored to favor.