Hang Tuah

P. Ramlee's masterpiece made history for being the first Malay film shot in colour.

The film attempts to present the life of Hang Tuah, a legendary 15th/16th century warrior, from his childhood up to his killing of Hang Jebat, his faithful but treasonous comrade.

A great accomplishment for its time, Hang Tuah still entertains to this day.

Hang Tuah was a legendary Malay admiral who lived under Malacca Sultanate in 15th Century. Some may regard him as hero but others just call him a malicious and cold hearted warrior. This film described him as the former and treated him as everybody's favourite. At the time P. Ramlee who acts as Hang Tuah was also everybody's favourite and the film fares well among the movie goers.

The film was made in color where most of films at that time are in black and white. A good film...as this movie was directed by an Indian director, expect a few songs sung by P.Ramlee and Saloma...it was done ala Bollywood movies.

The movie goes over the legend of Hang Tuah in colour while covering his emotional and romantic tribulations that he must face as a warrior that serves under the king. It is a 2hr indulgence into the olden days of Malaysia with theatrical lingo and fantastical musical break outs.

However, I found the film overall to just be short of "decent."

Although the story covered the main conflicts of the original legend, there seems to be a lack of emotional payoff for me. Although the ending fortunately left me with some inkling of unease, pondering the dilemma between Tuah's loyalty to Royalty or his friend, it also had potential to be more impactful had it developed Jebat and Tuah's relationship more. Right now, it feels more like Tuah choosing his loyalty to the King over ONE of his pals, who he wasn't like best friends with. Perhaps they could have built more on that brotherhood.

I won't get into the debate between loyalty to Jebat or to the King because that's an age old debate that anyone could talk about.

The pacing was not bad, could have been better at some parts.

The fight choreography was impressive! Actually rehearsed and did not come off as corny at all. It's only improvement can be the cinematography of the fight scenes.

Which takes me to the cinematography: a lot to be improved. Of course, it's the late 50s, no one's gonna expect AMAZING cinematography. But the director could have take more risks taken to put more depth and life into the cinematography.

Soundtrack was good. Nothing more nothing less. Used somewhat necessarily throughout, however i felt like they could have used some in the fight scenes to spice it up. I also understand this movie is supposed to be Bollywood style with the sad strung out musical solos under the waxing moon and all that, but it got a little tiring after a while especially if there is a lack of emotion.

Performances were great! A lot of times, you'll find that in the 50s-60s, acting was more melodramatic but it's no problem since i understand movies were more theatrical then.

Set design was also well done, very pretty and definitely used the medium of colour in this film very well.

Overall it's a meh movie, but I don't hate it. Just a lot of potential that could have been realised.