I actually had very low hopes for this movie when I picked it up--it looked like a dull silent documentary about a dull group of Siamese (Thai) villagers living in the jungle. I was either expecting a dull documentary or a fake film filled with White folks dressed like Asians and stock footage instead of real action. However, I was very pleasantly surprised when the film turned out not to exactly be a documentary but had a surprisingly interesting story behind it as well as excellent writing--making this a far from dull story indeed. In addition, the film was not filmed on some back lot or crammed full of stock images, but Paramount Studios went to a lot of trouble--going to Siam and using real Siamese (not conjoined) people. And, these Asians were NOT White people acting like dumb lackeys like Charlie Chan or those in THE GOOD EARTH but real people that you cared about. So, thanks to a good story, decent characters and action as well as a sensitive portrayal in the jungle, this is an excellent film and it occasionally had a nice sense of humor. It also helped that real elephants, tigers, leopards and other animals were used--not props or stuffed animals. However, of all the animal stars, I think I liked the gibbon best--you'd have to see it to understand what I mean.
For 1927, this is truly an amazing and modern film, though modern sensitivities might be aroused. PETA members will no doubt cringe when much of the plot involves hunting and killing tigers and leopards and elephants! All these scenes are amazingly realistic and given that the villagers were being killed by these critters, I could certainly understand the film--but in the 21st century, some people are bound to be shocked with the savagery of the action.
For 1927, this is truly an amazing and modern film, though modern sensitivities might be aroused. PETA members will no doubt cringe when much of the plot involves hunting and killing tigers and leopards and elephants! All these scenes are amazingly realistic and given that the villagers were being killed by these critters, I could certainly understand the film--but in the 21st century, some people are bound to be shocked with the savagery of the action.