Cinema
Leftenan Adnan
Aziz M. Osman · 2000
Synopsis
Adnan bin Saidi, a young man from Sungai Ramal, joins the Malay Regiment of the British colonial army. Having become a lieutenant, he leaves his wife Safiah behind and takes command of C Company when the Japanese army invades the Malay Peninsula; he goes with his men to defend Singapore, from Pasir Panjang to the hill of Bukit Chandu.
Context
The film is co-produced by Grand Brilliance, Paradigmfilm and the Malaysian army. Released on 31 August 2000, the forty-third anniversary of independence, it draws on a true story from the Malayan campaign. The dialogue mixes Malay, English, Japanese and Mandarin. Critics have compared it to the great war epics, praising its battle scenes more than its pacing, and a digitally restored version came out in 2020.
Who it is for
A war film of nearly two hours, in Malay; a few points of reference on the fall of Singapore in 1942 help in following the story.
Prizes and reception
Often presented as the great war epic of Malaysian cinema, and watched again every year around Independence Day.