The 7th Dawn
Encyclopedia
The 7th Dawn is a 1964
drama film
starring William Holden
, Capucine
and Tetsuro Tamba
. The film was based on the novel The Durian Tree by Michael Keon
.
during World War II
end up on opposing sides in the Communist insurgency following the war. Ferris (Holden) becomes a prosperous rubber plantation owner, with Dhana (Capucine) as his love interest. Ng (Tamba) goes to Moscow to finish his education. When he returns, an even more committed revolutionary than during the war, Dhana is torn between the two.
Ferris tries to steer clear of the conflict, but is inexorably drawn in when Dhana is arrested and sentenced to death for supposedly working with the guerrillas. As an additional complication, Candace Trumpey (Susannah York
), the daughter of the British Resident, falls into Ng's hands; he threatens to kill her if the sentence is carried out. Ferris offers to flush Ng out in exchange for Dhana's life, but is given only seven days to do so.
There is a very beautiful theme song associated with the movie. The Seventh Dawn was sung by The Lettermen
on the movie soundtrack. Their version can be reviewed on You Tube. Sergio Franchi
recorded the song on a 1964 single - RCA 47-8409.
1964 in film
The year 1964 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is released....
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
starring William Holden
William Holden
William Holden was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974...
, Capucine
Capucine
Capucine was a French actress and fashion model best known for her comedic roles in The Pink Panther and What's New Pussycat? . She appeared in 36 films and 17 television productions between 1948 and 1990...
and Tetsuro Tamba
Tetsuro Tamba
was a Japanese actor.-Biography:Tamba is perhaps best known by Western audiences for his role as Tiger Tanaka in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice . By then, he had among other roles appeared in two films by director Masaki Kobayashi: Harakiri and Kwaidan...
. The film was based on the novel The Durian Tree by Michael Keon
Michael Keon
Michael Keon was an Australian political journalist and author. His articles and books mainly focus on Asian politics and the military actions that surround the changes and transitions in political power.-Biography:...
.
Plot
Three friends who fought the Japanese in MalayaBritish Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
end up on opposing sides in the Communist insurgency following the war. Ferris (Holden) becomes a prosperous rubber plantation owner, with Dhana (Capucine) as his love interest. Ng (Tamba) goes to Moscow to finish his education. When he returns, an even more committed revolutionary than during the war, Dhana is torn between the two.
Ferris tries to steer clear of the conflict, but is inexorably drawn in when Dhana is arrested and sentenced to death for supposedly working with the guerrillas. As an additional complication, Candace Trumpey (Susannah York
Susannah York
Susannah York was a British film, stage and television actress. She was awarded a BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the same film. She won best actress for Images at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival...
), the daughter of the British Resident, falls into Ng's hands; he threatens to kill her if the sentence is carried out. Ferris offers to flush Ng out in exchange for Dhana's life, but is given only seven days to do so.
Cast
- William HoldenWilliam HoldenWilliam Holden was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974...
as Major Ferris - CapucineCapucineCapucine was a French actress and fashion model best known for her comedic roles in The Pink Panther and What's New Pussycat? . She appeared in 36 films and 17 television productions between 1948 and 1990...
as Dhana - Tetsuro TambaTetsuro Tambawas a Japanese actor.-Biography:Tamba is perhaps best known by Western audiences for his role as Tiger Tanaka in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice . By then, he had among other roles appeared in two films by director Masaki Kobayashi: Harakiri and Kwaidan...
as Ng - Susannah YorkSusannah YorkSusannah York was a British film, stage and television actress. She was awarded a BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for the same film. She won best actress for Images at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival...
as Candace Trumpey - Michael GoodliffeMichael GoodliffeLawrence Michael Andrew Goodliffe was an English actor best known for playing suave roles such as doctors, lawyers and army officers. He was also sometimes cast in working class parts....
as Trumphey - Allan CuthbertsonAllan CuthbertsonAllan Cuthbertson was a naturalised Anglo-Australian actor.-Early life:Born Allan Darling Cuthbertson in Perth, Western Australia, son of Ernest and Isobel Ferguson Cuthbertson, he performed on stage and radio from an early age.During World War II, he served as a Flight Lieutenant with the RAAF...
as Cavendish - Maurice DenhamMaurice DenhamMaurice Denham OBE was an English character actor who appeared in over 100 television programmes and films throughout his long career.-Life and career:...
as Tarlton - Sydney TaflerSydney TaflerSydney Tafler , was a British film and television actor, first appearing in London's West End in 1936, after two years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, with Sir Seymour Hicks in The Man in Dress Clothes....
as Chief Petty Officer Tom - Beulah Quo as Ah Ming
There is a very beautiful theme song associated with the movie. The Seventh Dawn was sung by The Lettermen
The Lettermen
The Lettermen are an American male pop music vocal trio. The Lettermen's trademark is close-harmony pop songs with light arrangements. The group started in 1959...
on the movie soundtrack. Their version can be reviewed on You Tube. Sergio Franchi
Sergio Franchi
Sergio Franchi was an Italian tenor.Franchi was born in Cremona, Italy. His father wanted him to become an electrical engineer, so he studied both music and engineering simultaneously. The family moved to South Africa in 1952, where Sergio worked part-time as a draftsman, while continuing to study...
recorded the song on a 1964 single - RCA 47-8409.