Datok Merah’s Grandson (1963)
A period drama with Malay symbolisms, myth and folklore, the title Chuchu Datok Merah points to the mental image Malays have of themselves as descendants of Hang Tuah, the legendary Malay warrior of Malacca. Awang Janggut is very much a pseudo-warrior. Instead of a “keris”, a warrior’s weapon, he owns a prize-winning rooster. His battlefield is the cock fight arena. Home is a big but empty house inherited from his ancestor, and prefers living in poverty to working. The closest he comes to the high life of a warrior is when a rich businessman employs him as a bodyguard after he prevents hooligans from taunting the latter’s daughter Siti. Despite knowing Awang is married, Siti continues to flirt with him, causing him to leave his pregnant wife alone. She eventually falls sick and has a miscarriage. The film is a social criticism of people who rest on their laurels and ancestry instead of working for themselves. It is also one of the finest examples of the anti-hero in Malay cinema.
Cast
- Nordin Ahmad - Awang Janggut
- Latifah Omar - Wan Kuntum
- Rose Yatimah - Siti Molek
- A. Rahim - Long Daik
- Yem
- Yem - Hassan
- Dollah Sarawak - Pak Hanif
- Rahimah Alias - Inang
- Menah Yem - Mak Dukun
- M. Osman - Wan Embong
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Datok Merah’s Grandson about?
- A period drama with Malay symbolisms, myth and folklore, the title Chuchu Datok Merah points to the mental image Malays have of themselves as descendants of Hang Tuah, the legendary Malay warrior of Malacca. Awang Janggut is very much a pseudo-warrior. Instead of a “keris”, a warrior’s weapon, he owns a prize-winning rooster. His battlefield is the cock fight arena. Home is a big but empty house inherited from his ancestor, and prefers living in poverty to working. The closest he comes to the high life of a warrior is when a rich businessman employs him as a bodyguard after he prevents hooligans from taunting the latter’s daughter Siti. Despite knowing Awang is married, Siti continues to flirt with him, causing him to leave his pregnant wife alone. She eventually falls sick and has a miscarriage. The film is a social criticism of people who rest on their laurels and ancestry instead of working for themselves. It is also one of the finest examples of the anti-hero in Malay cinema.
- Who directed Datok Merah’s Grandson?
- Datok Merah’s Grandson was directed by M. Amin.
- Who stars in Datok Merah’s Grandson?
- Datok Merah’s Grandson stars Nordin Ahmad, Latifah Omar, Rose Yatimah, A. Rahim, Yem, Yem.
- How long is Datok Merah’s Grandson?
- Datok Merah’s Grandson has a runtime of 1h 38m (98 minutes).
- What genre is Datok Merah’s Grandson?
- Datok Merah’s Grandson is a Drama, Action film.
- Where was Datok Merah’s Grandson produced?
- Datok Merah’s Grandson was produced in Malaysia, Singapore.