“JUNGLE JEOPARDY”

By Raymond Benson

The 1964 action-adventure picture, The 7th Dawn, is a solid piece of work that features an exotic location (it was filmed in Malaysia), a couple of big stars (William Holden, Capucine), a fairly “new” one (Susannah York), and, for the year it was released and its budget limitations, moderately spectacular action sequences.

However, today, the movie might be memorable because of its links to James Bond films. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert (who helmed You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, and Moonraker), it co-stars Tetsurō Tamba (“Tiger Tanaka” in You Only Live Twice), is photographed by Freddie Young (credited here are Frederick Young, DP of You Only Live Twice), the main titles are by Maurice Binder (veteran of the 007 films for three decades), it was released by United Artists, and the movie is produced by Charles K. Feldman (responsible for the non-EON 1967 Casino Royale)!

The 7th Dawn is based on the 1960 novel, The Durian Tree by Michael Keon, and was adapted to film by Karl Tunberg. It’s the story of the path to Malayan independence from British rule after World War II, especially during the chaotic and violent years of the early 1950s.

Three close friends—American Ferris (William Holden), Malayan/French Dhana (French actress Capucine), and Malayan Ng (Japanese actor Tetsurō Tamba) fight with the Malayan army against the Japanese during World War II. Both men are sweet on Dhana, but at the end of the war, Ng graciously retreats and allows Ferris and Dhana to live together while he goes off to Russia to further his education. Cut to 1953, when Malayan guerrillas—led by Ng—are attacking both the British forces and Malayans in terrorist acts to force the British to leave. Ferris, who simply wants to live in peace on his rubber plantation, is persuaded by the British leader, Trumpey (Michael Goodliffe), to find Ng and convince the man that the British eventually do want to grant the Malayans independence. Dhana leaves Ferris to join Ng’s guerrillas, making room for Trumpey’s daughter, Candace (Susannah York), to set sights on the American. When Dhana is arrested, tried for terrorist acts, and sentenced to death, Candace is kidnapped by Ng’s forces. Ferris then has seven days to find Ng and Candace in the back country before Dhana is hanged.

It’s all fairly exciting stuff, and it’s a colorful display of mid-1960s Hollywood production values depicting warfare in a jungle setting. Holden is fine as the stalwart and stubborn former mercenary turned businessman. Capucine, although lacking Asian heritage, is convincing enough as being half Malayan (her skin color appears to have been artificially darkened), and Tamba exhibits why director Gilbert likely chose him to play Tiger Tanaka in You Only Live Twice. York is also a screen presence who, being the only blonde in sight, attracts audience attention. She had just come off her appearance in the award-winning Tom Jones, so her star was quickly rising.

The musical score by Riz Ortolani is of note with lush melodies and sweeping strings. The theme song, sung by The Lettermen, became a hit standard in the decade.

Kino Lorber’s high def transfer is acceptable; it certainly shows off that distinctive look of 1960s film stock, and Freddie Jones’ cinematography captures panoramic vistas of Malaysia and its jungles. There are no other supplements other than a theatrical trailer and optional English subtitles for the hearing impaired.

The 7th Dawn is fine fare for fans of any of the cast members, action-adventure in exotic landscapes, and 1960s Hollywood sensibility in widescreen Technicolor.

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