Sandokan, le tigre de Bornéo

I just finished watching a Steve Reeves double feature of this film and the sequel, 'Pirates of the Seven Seas', and was quite entertained the whole time. Reeves' character, Sandokan, is a departure from his well known sword-and-sandal flicks. In these films, while he's a formidable presence who can handle himself, he's not portrayed as a muscle-bound Hercules or Goliath. He's a refined but tough son of royalty, leading a group of rebels fighting British colonial rule of their Malaysian island. With literate scripts, scenic locales and numerous hair-raising adventures, 'Sandokan the Great', as well as the equally colorful and well-constructed sequel, are both highly enjoyable. A couple of interesting items include the fact that the same actor (Leo Anchoriz), played the main bad guy in both films. In both films, he was the head of the British military administration, yet he was cast as completely different people! It's also somewhat disconcerting to hear (in the version of the movie I have) a much different voice dubbed in for Reeves than was used in most of his peplum flicks. For Steve Reeves fans, these are essential additions to your collection. Good luck finding them.

This film even seemed stiffer than other Italian adventure-films of that time, and Steve Reeves, believe me!, doesn't help a bit. The storyline is tedious and unattractive. There is a lot of archive footage for the jungle-fauna built in (that even looks livelier than the film itself). Only fun scene: Reeves' fight against a tiger.

But in the last ten minutes the situation explodes, and there is this gigantic battle at the fort, well staged and fun. Reeves gets to fire a machine gun (a little like Django) and matches the strength of an army. If only Lenzi had divided the action and strewn it all over the film's time, it would have been more watchable (if you don't skip the beginning, that is). My rating: 5/10.

This high-spirited adventure yarn features Steve Reeves in the role of Sandokan, a Malaysian rebel who kidnaps the niece of a British general who is planning to execute Sandokan's father, the sultan of Moulker. He and his men traverse sweaty jungles, poisonous swamps, and strange lands filled with fierce native headhunters! An unforgettable experience.

"Sandokan, La Tigre Di Mompracen¨ or "Sandokan the Great" results to be an Oriental adventure with Heroism and High Adventure in the Malay Jungle , it stars Steve Reeves/Sandokan , Lord of Malaysia , accompanied by his European friend Yañez , battling the evil imperialists commanded by a nasty governor who is trying to detain him . Based on the novel "Le tigri Di Mompracem¨ by Emilio Salgari , this "Sandokan¨ (1963) was decently directed by Umberto Lenzi with an European cast and it contains rousing action , romantic adventure , mayhem and a fine cast doing a fine job . Our hero pirate saves the damsel in distress and fights an evil Brit imperialist . Filmed in Ceylon ; it tells the tale of Sandokan who is a Malaysian rebel who, with a bunch of freedom fighters , goes up against a British governor called Lord Guillon (Leo Anchóriz) and his officers , lieutenant Ross (Mario Valdemarin) , Toymby (Antonio Molino Rojo) and sergeant Mitchell (Enzo Fiermonte) . As Sandokan teams up with a squad of pirates to even the score with a nasty governor during the 1800 . Exciting story of love and adventure , the complete romance and the exotic events about the famous hero Sandokan (Steve Reeves) against the British empire . The Prince Sarawah's kingdom is invaded by troops commanded by Lord Brook from Bombay . As Sandokan along with his followers : Sambigliong (Rik Battaglia) , Girobatol (Maurice Poli) , Hirangù (Nazzareno Zamperla) and his faithful Yañez (Andrea Bosic) attempt to free his father who has been taken prisoner by the English army in Labuan . Then Sandokan infiltrates into a luxurious mansion and attacks the governor's (Leo Anchoriz) palace . Sandokan takes his niece Mary Ann (Genevieve Grad) and she is held captive . Sandokan , lord of Malaysia , sets out throughout the dangerous jungle . Meantime , Mary Ann learns the actual intention Sandokan is to free his father , Malaysia's Sultan , and deliver justice , then she feels sympathy for his cause . Along the way Sandokan takes on several dangers as quicksands , wildlife , native attacks by a violent tribe of headhunters called Dagakos and many other things . However , the brave pirate Sandokan and his underlings are betrayed and captured by the English soldiers . Finally , at the enemy fort takes place a spectacular battle against Lord Guillonk and his hoodlums .

This is an entertaining oriental movie , full of action , thrills , double-crosses and of course , a lot of duels and fights . Being a so-so European co-production among several countries such as Italy, France , Spain . It is a grade-B flick with noisy adventure , emotion , slavery , tortures , savage raids and machine gun provoking a lot of deaths . Decent production by Solly V. Bianco and Jaime Comas Gil with adequate Steve Reeves as Sandokan , and gorgeous Geneviève Grad as Mary Ann , both of whom fall in love , taking place a wonderful love story . The flick packs enjoyable as well as exotic atmosphere , luxurious gowns , evocative sets , alright cinematography and powerful score . Lots of intrigue , treason , glamorous scenarios , twists and turns . Sympathetic performances by main star cast such as Steve Reeves in one his last films of his fruitful career and agreeable secondary cast ; as the marvelous main actors are completed by a secondary cast full of ordinary Italian players as Andrea Bosic , Rick Battaglia , Maurice Poli , Enzo Fiermonte , Nazzareno Zamperla , Mario Valdemarin and Spanish players as Antonio Molino Rojo and special mention for Leo Anchóriz as Lord Guillonk and who in the sequel would play Lord Brook . Splendid color from 16 mm , including appropriate cinematography by Aurelio G. Larraya and Angelo Lotti ; though , a perfect remastering is necessary . Being shot on location in Ceylon . Imaginative as well as thrilling soundtrack by Giovanni Fusco in oriental style . This was the first part in Steve Reeves/Lenzi Sandokan saga ; the second with similar artistic and technician team was ¨I Pirati Della Malesia" (original title) or "Sandokan: Pirate of Malaysia¨ (1964) with Steve Reeves , Jacqueline Sassard , Pierre Cressoy , Nando Gazzolo , Franco Balducci , Mimmo Palmara and again Andrea Bosic as Yanez . The motion picture was professionally directed by Umberto Lenzi . This one was a popular film by that time , getting big success at European Box office .

Other pictures about this fictitious personage are the followings : ¨Sandokan against Leopard of Sarawak" (1964) by Luigi Capuano with Ray Danton , Franca Bettoia , Mario Petri , Guy Madison , Alberto Farnese ; its sequel ¨Sandokan Fights Back¨(1964) with same players ; "Le Tigri Di Mompracem" (1970) by Mario Sequi with Ivan Rassimov as Sandokan , Claudia Gravy , Andrea Bosic , Luis Dávila , José Torres . And TV ¨Sandokan¨ (vey popular series of the 70s) with Kabir Bedi , Philippe Leroy and Adolfo Celi . And finally "The return of Sandokán" (1996) , ¨Il Figlio Di Sandokan" (1998) , TV series played by Kabir Bedi and directed by Enzo G Castellari .

Steve Reeves as Tiger from Mompracem

In this adventure film, Umberto Lenzi has adapted the third novel from the Sandokan series by Emilio Salgari. Although it was released in cinemas a year before I PIRATI DELLA MALESIA, it is actually the sequel that is being told here.

In the fight against the English colonial masters, Sandokan (Steve Reeves) and his friends (Andrea Bosic, Rik Battaglia, Giovanni Cianfriglia) kidnap the beautiful Mary Ann (Genevieve Grad), the niece of Lord Guillonk (Leo Anchoriz). During the dangerous escape through the jungle, adventures and numerous fights have to be overcome. Mary Ann realizes that the pirates are fighting for a just cause and falls in love with the shining hero Sandokan.

Filmed in Sri Lanka, this well-made adventure film attracted 263,000 viewers to West German cinemas. Peplum star Steve Reeves (1926-2000) has grown as an actor and is convincing as a romantic hero.

Exciting and action-packed!