Cinema
Hang Jebat
Hussain Haniff · 1961
Synopsis
In Malacca, in the time of Sultan Mansur Shah, the patih Karma Wijaya slanders the laksamana Hang Tuah, and the sultan, deaf to the bendahara's advice, condemns him to death. Hang Jebat, his friend, appointed laksamana in his place, receives the kris Taming Sari and means to avenge the man he believes executed. He falls in love with Dang Baru, a servant of the bendahara whom he has pulled out of a difficult situation, then takes advantage of the sovereign's absence to seize the palace, distribute the royal treasure to the poor and stand up to those sent against him.
Context
The director's first feature, the film was produced in Singapore by Cathay-Keris, from a story by Ali Aziz; M. Amin plays Hang Tuah opposite Nordin Ahmad. In March 1961 the Straits Times reported on a film that filled cinemas during the Muslim festivals and raised the old question of which of Tuah or Jebat is the true hero. It competed at the Asian Film Festival in Seoul in 1962, without winning a prize.
Who it is for
A film in Malay, in black and white; seeing it after the Hang Tuah of 1956, which tells the same legend from the side of the loyal servant, sheds light on its bias.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as its director's best film; its reversal of the legend, which makes Jebat the hero, left its mark on critics.
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