Flicking through channels, I stumbled across the opening credits of "THE 7th DAWN", but it wasn't until I saw the name William Holden that I was all in. What eventuates is a languid and very dreary adventure romance drama by Lewis Gilbert, set after WW2, where the Malayan people are now free of the Japanese, but now find themselves fighting for independence against their allies the British. William Holden's character is stuck right in the middle of it, not wanting to take sides, but the British want him to give up his best friend who happens to be the leader of the terrorists.
Heavy on political dilemmas, heated racial tensions, narrow minded characters, a sense of loyalty, constant suffering and a couple of love triangles, the material goes about it in a rather clichéd manner and concentrates for most part on the complicated character dramas. It can be slow going, but performances are up to speed and it builds to a lively, if slightly suspenseful third act in the jungle leading to a lot pain for all those involved. Holden is impeccably good, while Susannah York is serviceable. I actually found a headstrong Capucine to overshadow Holden, leaving quite a mark, despite fewer scenes. She kind of holds the story together. Also the same can be said about Tetsuro Tamba. Director Gilbert's workmanlike quality won't set it alight, but gives it a larger than expected scope.
Heavy on political dilemmas, heated racial tensions, narrow minded characters, a sense of loyalty, constant suffering and a couple of love triangles, the material goes about it in a rather clichéd manner and concentrates for most part on the complicated character dramas. It can be slow going, but performances are up to speed and it builds to a lively, if slightly suspenseful third act in the jungle leading to a lot pain for all those involved. Holden is impeccably good, while Susannah York is serviceable. I actually found a headstrong Capucine to overshadow Holden, leaving quite a mark, despite fewer scenes. She kind of holds the story together. Also the same can be said about Tetsuro Tamba. Director Gilbert's workmanlike quality won't set it alight, but gives it a larger than expected scope.