This Earth of Mankind (2019) User Reviews

Tried hard but still seemed confused

[Herlinda_Marlina · 6/10 · 15 August 2019]

When I heard Hanung Bramantyo adapting Pramoedya Ananta Toer's classic literary work "Bumi Manusia", I was curious, before watching the film I took the time to read his book in preparation. The film trailer also looks promising. But after watching this film for the duration of the film 3 hours I think director of this movie still confuse to cut scenes from scenes in the book so it feels rough, Robert Mellema miscast and using contact lense doesn't look good either, the supporting cast of Westerners looks stiff. Some dialogue feels forced. For the details of the colonial era atmosphere such as steamship, steam train, I admit it is quite match for what i imagine from the book to tell the atmosphere of Indonesia at the end of the 19th century, although it still miss some details of fashion and hairstyles. The cast of Maiko, although its appearance was only briefly managed to steal the attention. The strength of this film's acting relies on the two main actors Minke (Iqbal) and Nyai Ontosoroh (Ina Febriyanti) who are also unable to save the quality of this film whose plot is loose here and there. Unfortunately. Hanung Bramantyo set main focus on the romantic drama scene and forget about the other values that wanted to be conveyed in "Bumi Manusia" to make it the most "Down-to-earth" novel that almost brought Pramoedya Ananta Toer to a noble prize.

Worth of your money and time

[sabrinaissmart · 8/10 · 1 September 2019]

You read the book so what? The Earth of Mankind is a stunning movie. Excellent performances, great costumes and the soundtrack were just the best combination that lead to perfection of this brilliant movie which is based on book. Movies and Books are two completely different story, there is always - always- a disappointment in the end. So best is, to watch the movie, read the book. That is that. Show a little appreciation by supporting Indonesia film industry. Buy the ticket and watch! I would rate this film 8/10. There was Iwan Fals -the legend- voice on the backsound and it sums up everything. A- heart touching 3 hour movie.

Strong Script

[tedicaprio · 7/10 · 17 August 2019]

In general, the script is strong, it can keep the audience watch up to 3 hours. Acting wise, the connection between Iqbaal and Ine is extraordinary; Kelly Tandiono's cameoship is nice, but Christian Sugiono's is a waste. Annelies' transition from weak to strong is not vey smooth. Suurhof character is underdeveloped. But overall it's enjoyable. Good Job!

Good

[laperissa · 10/10 · 10 March 2023]

Finally a movie that shows real history of Dutch Indie, because in the Netherlands they always try to hide it and put colonialism in a positive light and blame everything on the Japanese. While the Dutch were not any better than the Germans. Taking away all the rights from the Natives, robbing, massacre entire villages and also slavery. This is what my family also have bin through and they had to fled to the Netherlands. I am Indo just like the lead actress. The only bad thing about this movie is the acting of the Dutch people. But other than that it's a good movie and it means a lot to us!!!!

Mediocre movie but of historic relevance

[aleeuwendal · 7/10 · 19 August 2023]

I don't think this movie got much coverage in The Netherlands at the time of its release, but it was mentioned recently in the context of annual Aug 15 commemorations (ending of ww2 in the Pacific). There's growing awareness of the suppressed and even invisible position of many njays, who mostly came from poorish, islamic rural communities. Only after 1910 Dutch law allowed mixed marriages and legalisation of their children. My greatgrandmother was a njay, and just seeing a story dedicated to that period, and all racial complexities in colonial daily live, makes this a worthwhile movie . Even though there are some strange turns in the plot and too much romantic drama..

Good Film

[fnugrohoadhi · 9/10 · 18 August 2019]

I was very interested when the book Bumi Manusia was appointed as a feature film. In general I like this film. The Book of the Bumi Manusia is one of my favorite books. But there are some things in the film that I feel are a little lacking. The place setting seemed a bit forced and the role of Minke that was brought by Iqbal was a bit less animating. Ann's change from weak to healthy is very rough. But as a reader of Books, I like this film in general.

Weird Choices

[DaniellaM94 · 4/10 · 27 August 2019]

I know a little about Indonesian culture, less than Indonesian themselves. I read "This Earth of Mankind" two years ago, although the Italian version also available in my library, I picked up the English-translated version. It was one of the best novel I have ever read, I finished the series (4 books) less than a month.

"This Earth of Mankind" by Pramoedya Ananta Toer has many layers that people, especially Indonesian can learn from. It teaches us about human rights, how dark history needs to be put into a conversation, cope with injustices, etc. Yet the movie itself, mainly focused on romance.

I watched the movie twice, in hope that I got it wrong, but I was wrong then. The movie only focused mainly on Minke and Annelies. Mrs. Ontosoroh's performance was really stunning and made me speechless, yet it seemed she's not the main character in the movie. Other casts are somewhat great though.

I have no idea why people behind this decided to do what they've done, is it because in Indonesia, great movies are always has this romantic elements? I get that, of course, Italian movies also known as "romantic" although we slowly shifted to other genres like politics. But come on Indonesia, this is a masterpiece! In so many things you can choose to highlight, why picked the romance?

I watched it with my friends, mostly Indonesian, they haven't read the books, and unfortunately they hard to grasp the meaning of the story.

I wish this movie could be better, at least 50% as good as the book itself.

Bad director, bad actor

[iprtiwi · 2/10 · 9 September 2019]

Tried to understand and enjoy the film, but overall of the film was unpleasant. Watch it for 3 hours and it didn't worth the time. The acting of all actors (except Ine who played as Nyai) was terrible, especially Iqbal who played as Minke. The direction of every scene was really bad, the film fail to make audience feel the message of the writer. Change from one scene to another was not really smooth. There was a censored scene with a bad direction and make the audience will terrible.

Could not expect too much when i found Hanung as director before watching

[randyfernanda · 5/10 · 24 December 2022]

I read the novel first so i would not misunderstood this well-known masterpiece since i found out it was Hanung as director. I can imagine Hanung always makes his movies from characterization to scoring a little too sinetron-ish. Shoot technique is mediocre. It didn't make sense when Mellema get mad to Ontosoroh when she found out the truth about Mellemas legal wife, the book told the situation the other way. Bupati B, Maiko, Robert Mellema were going too extra. The truth is bupati B never whipped Minke, Robert is not even that rude to Nyai Ontosoroh, Maiko is too evil here. Too many things going sinetron-ish. Wish Kamila Andini would have had her own version, i'm sorry Hanung.

Bad director bad actor bad ending weak movie

[anggafransjaya · 3/10 · 25 April 2020]

This movie is so weak so bad, from ghe director until the actor is like a cheaper movie, in indonesia its like a FTV class / sinetron punjabi Weak weak weak so bad

Bad Movie, Bad Actor and Bad Actress, Bad Director

[danixtrax · 1/10 · 14 July 2020]

Bad Casting, Bad Scene. Cheap Movie. Like soap opeara. Waste watch this move. Don't imagine seeing this film with interesting stories. All the casts are ugly. Like a soap opera.

Worst Historical Movie Ever!!!!!!!!!!

[jasminehsarah · 3/10 · 10 March 2021]

Weird cast. Weird director. Weird ending. Kau & Aku Cinta Indonesia is a Good Drama Movie by Dirmawan Hatta. Sorry Hanung.

Actor look stiff, directing is bad, camera looks not artistic enough

[stefannyku-63247 · 5/10 · 6 August 2022]

Its not as good as promoted, i do hope the story have some layer in it but no. The directing and story writing could be done better. As usual the actors in Indonesians movie looks asa stiff as robots and inhuman.

Bad adaptation, bad plot, bad direction, main actor is the worst.

[hariqi909 · 1/10 · 24 October 2020]

1. Minke caracter, trash,.like low budget soap opera acting. 2. Plot ,. not clear what the main story ,. 3. many scene that show strong expression with no motive,.or weak motive. we don't have emotion to follow. 4. many bad acting 5. sound is bad, like all actor speak with microphon used in highschool stage. DIrector have no idea how to make this novel's adaptation ,. just make soap opera,. worse than local cabaret,.