Poster

The 7th Dawn ()


Reference View | Change View


Political and personal intrigues surround a group of characters in Malaya, after the close of the Second World War.

Director:
Award:
Reviews:

Photos and Videos

Cast

Edit
...
Major Ferris
...
Candace Trumpey
...
Dhana Mercier
...
Ng
...
Trumphey
...
Cavendish
...
Tom - Chief Petty Officer
...
Tarlton
Beulah Quo ...
Ah Ming
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christopher Allen ...
CID Agent (uncredited)
Griffiths Alun ...
Sedgwick (uncredited)
Kip Bahadun ...
Japanese Prisoner (uncredited)
Ibrahim Bin ...
Capt. Chey (uncredited)
Tony Cheng ...
Waiter (uncredited)
Noel Chow ...
Capt. Kiat (uncredited)
Hew Thian Choy ...
Lt. Nelson (uncredited)
Yap Mook Fui ...
Lim - Ferris' Servant (uncredited)
David Keith ...
Aide (uncredited)
R. William Koh ...
Gen. Osaki (uncredited)
James Massong ...
Malay Engineer (uncredited)
Tony Price ...
Morley (uncredited)
Hugh Robinson ...
Judge (uncredited)
Seow ...
Chinese Unionist (uncredited)
David Weinman ...
Tamil Cyclist (uncredited)
George Zakhariah ...
Indian Unionist (uncredited)

Directed by

Edit
Lewis Gilbert

Written by

Edit
Michael Keon ... (novel "The Durian Tree")
 
Karl Tunberg ... (screenplay)

Produced by

Edit
John Dark ... associate producer
Charles K. Feldman ... producer (uncredited)
Karl Tunberg ... co-producer

Music by

Edit
Riz Ortolani

Cinematography by

Edit
Freddie Young ... (photographed by) (as Frederick Young)

Editing by

Edit
John Shirley

Editorial Department

Edit
Jeremy Saunders ... first assistant editor (uncredited)

Production Design by

Edit
John Stoll

Art Direction by

Edit
Herbert Smith

Set Decoration by

Edit
Josie MacAvin ... (as Jose MacAvin)

Makeup Department

Edit
John O'Gorman ... makeup artist

Production Management

Edit
Morris Aza ... production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

Edit
Jack Causey ... assistant director
John Gilbert ... second unit director: asistente segunda unidad
Harold Haysom ... second unit director
André Smagghe ... second unit director (as Andre Smagghe)
Jim Brennan ... second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department

Edit
Harry Arbour ... construction
Peter Guerin ... chargehand props (uncredited)
Tony Rimmington ... draughtsman (uncredited)

Sound Department

Edit
Basil Fenton-Smith ... sound
Chris Greenham ... sound editor
Red Law ... sound
Terry Sharratt ... sound
John Brommage ... boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by

Edit
Cliff Richardson ... special effects
John Richardson ... special effects assistant (uncredited)

Stunts

Edit
Tony Bushell ... stunts (uncredited)
Keith Peacock ... stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

Edit
Harry Gillam ... camera operator
Len Prout ... gaffer
Ray Andrew ... clapper loader (uncredited)
Peter Carey ... chief electrician (uncredited)
Roy Ford ... focus puller (uncredited)
Dick Savery ... grip (uncredited)
Douglas Webb ... still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

Edit
Betty Adamson ... wardrobe supervisor
Hylda Gilbert ... costumes
Charles Guerin ... wardrobe (uncredited)

Music Department

Edit
Riz Ortolani ... conductor / musical director (uncredited)

Script and Continuity Department

Edit
Joan Davis ... continuity (as Joan Davies)

Additional Crew

Edit
Maurice Binder ... title designer: main titles
Charles K. Feldman ... presenter
John Gilbert ... second unit assistant
Paul Hitchcock ... production accountant (uncredited)

Production Companies

Edit

Distributors

Edit

Special Effects

Edit

Other Companies

Edit

Storyline

Edit
Plot Summary

The end of WWII finds Major Ferris fighting alongside guerrilla groups in the jungles of Malaysia. Major Ferris is an American who was attached to the Australian 8th Army and stayed behind to co-ordinate native guerrilla groups. When the Japanese unconditionally surrender, everyone is rejoicing, but a British officer pertinently comments that although the Malaysian people aided the British to defeat the Japanese their allegiance will shift and they might not be so friendly towards the British in the near future. Malaysia is a British colony and like many other colonies it struggles to gain its independence from the European powers. Major Ferris' closest friend and comrade during the war, Malaysian colonel Ng, is asked by Ferris to join him into a business venture. Ferris has purchased a few acres of land rich in rubber trees and tin mines. He offers Ng an equal partnership in the venture but colonel Ng refuses. He explains that he has to go to Moscow to study at a school for political cadre. The two friends part ways. Eight years later, the British already have major problems in Malaysia. Many guerrilla groups openly attack the British army convoys, kill British officers, raid local plantations and businesses, rob the payroll of local companies, kidnap the European colonists and destroy British colonial property in the region. The British government is negotiating a peaceful withdrawal of British colonial forces from Malaysia promising total independence to the country. But the guerrilla leaders do not trust the word of the British, so they continue the guerrilla war against the colonial authorities. Many European colonists, plantation and business owners, sell their companies and assets and leave Malaysia. The only one not concerned by the violent events surrounding him is Major Ferris. His plantations and tin mines are not attacked by the rebels. When he drives in his convertible on local roads, the guerrilla groups laying in ambush do not harm him. One day, the English-language local newspapers, quoting a Soviet propaganda newspaper, indicate that former Malaysian guerrilla leader, colonel Ng, has returned from Moscow to co-ordinate all guerrilla groups in Malaysia. The chief of police and the British Army commander in the region arrive at Major Ferris' house to confirm the fact that during the war, Ferris worked closely with Ng against the Japanese forces. When Ferris confirms the fact, the two British officials ask him to go into the jungle and contact Ng with a message from the British. They want to convey to the guerrilla leader that the British have sincere intentions of withdrawing from Malaysia and allowing the country to become fully independent. They also want the guerrillas to cease their attacks on the British military and the colonists in order to allow them time to organize their departure from Malaysia. The officials hope that Major Ferris can persuade Ng and the rebel guerrillas to co-operate. A few days later, Ferris sneaks into the jungle, alone, in search of his old war buddy, colonel Ng. Written by nufs68

Plot Keywords
Taglines A STRANGE LAND SLEEPS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN - SO STILL...SO MYSTERIOUS...SO UNTOUCHED- UNTIL THE FIRST LIGHT OF DAWN AWAKENS THE PASSIONS OF MEN AND THE FURIES OF WAR! See more »
Genres
Parents Guide View content advisory »
Certification

Additional Details

Edit
Also Known As
  • The Seventh Dawn (United States)
  • The Third Road (United States)
  • Durian Tree (United States)
  • Wherever Love Takes Me (United States)
  • La Septième Aube (France)
  • See more »
Runtime
  • 123 min
Country
Language
Color
Aspect Ratio
Sound Mix
Filming Locations

Did You Know?

Edit
Trivia Filming was delayed when actual squatters took up residence in the Chinese squatter village set. After their removal, filming resumed and the Chinese squatters stayed to watch. When the village is torched, crying and wailing can be heard. This wasn't from the Malay extras but from the real squatters who just lost their new home. See more »
Goofs All the fashions and hairstyles are from the '60s, not the '40s and '50s when the movie is set. See more »
Movie Connections Referenced in When the Applause Died (1990). See more »
Soundtracks The Seventh Dawn See more »
Quotes Major Ferris: I don't choose my friends according to their color. I even have a few white friends.
See more »

Contribute to This Page


Recently Viewed