I have just seen this movie in Australia (with English sub-titles) and thought it was great. My Bahasa Indonesia was not adequate to judge the quality of the Indonesian script, but I saw it with fluent Indonesian speakers, and they thought the movie was very good also. The acting was excellent, and the story was interesting as it showed the revolution from a more human perspective than we usually see. When it finished, everyone in the theatre was saying that they could not wait for the second film in the trilogy. I don't know what "blabberbrat" was talking about when he/she said there were no war scenes!!! Two armies running around shooting each other, people being killed all over the place, locals' houses being burnt, trucks being blown up and so on.....what was that if not war? That's what war in the jungle is like, apparently, not the glamourised rubbish that comes out of Hollywood. Bring on the second movie, I'm dying to see what happens to Amir and his wife (she still hasn't told him about the baby!), Tomas & Senja (hmm.....do I see a romance coming?)& will Marius turn out to be a good human being in the end? And will we learn what Dayan is all about? Oh, and yes, Indonesia will become a republic (I know the ending there!).
9 Reviews
Like it, but!
atewieske28 September 2012
As a dutch citizen and war veteran I have a different look at this movie. I do not approve of this situation end colonization in general. That is an issue of generations past, but do have an aversal to this ill display of dutch conscripts in general. Most of these boys were shipped here just after been enslaved by the third Reich and just wanted business as usual. The dutch had these isles for three hundred years and considered these isles as dutch soil. Dutch conscripts just acted in honor to there background. There obviously are bad apples on the Dutch side, but there where bad apples on both sides. Since 60 years have past. nuances would be made clearer and both viewpoints should have been made more clear. In general a good movie in my view, but in staid of South African barely Dutch speaking actors. Dutch natives should be used.
Best regards, Arjan
Best regards, Arjan
Indonesian Greatest Drama Action Movie By Far
farah-asf15 December 2012
I love the story (since it's fiction, it doesn't relate to any particular history plot), but it still relevant to general idea of Indonesian colonized era. The characters are also interesting, strengthening by great actors to name Lukman Sardi, Donny Alamsyah, Darius, and even model/scandalous governor (Zumi Zola). This is the first time I enjoy Indonesian drama-action. It must included some foreigners as directors or at least for special effects. I don't see a lot of good Indonesian movies, but as I can remember, Indonesian movie are all about panorama motion pictures (other than ghost or tacky-comedy related). So, this movie is pretty standout. It is disappointing that the last two sequels didn't show at foreign countries. CMIIW, but I think the estimated budget for this movie was over USD6 millions.
Good film with the potential for even greater sequels
ralph-fortson24 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The fact that this film is the first in a long time to even attempt to commemorate our nation's history in a fun and interesting way should be justification enough to see it. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of special effects and even more so by the acting talents of Amir (Lukman Sardi), Tomas (Donny Alamsyah) and Dayan (Rifnu Waksana).
As a first time director, and despite some minor flaws, Yadi Sugandi did a great job of visually telling the story how this group of soldiers from all over Indonesia put aside their differences to fight the Dutch. The film might not have had the grand battle scenes of films like Saving Private Ryan (of which the special effects supervisor Adam Howarth worked on) but it did well with smaller scenes, tighter action and a much smaller budget - around Rp 60 milyar I think I heard.
Overall, I enjoyed the film and think it's a good start for Indonesia to move past the typical crappy pocong and sappy cinta films we usually see in the theaters. And, as a trilogy, I hope there will be much more to come in terms of the action and drama. Has anyone heard what will happen next???
As a first time director, and despite some minor flaws, Yadi Sugandi did a great job of visually telling the story how this group of soldiers from all over Indonesia put aside their differences to fight the Dutch. The film might not have had the grand battle scenes of films like Saving Private Ryan (of which the special effects supervisor Adam Howarth worked on) but it did well with smaller scenes, tighter action and a much smaller budget - around Rp 60 milyar I think I heard.
Overall, I enjoyed the film and think it's a good start for Indonesia to move past the typical crappy pocong and sappy cinta films we usually see in the theaters. And, as a trilogy, I hope there will be much more to come in terms of the action and drama. Has anyone heard what will happen next???
A solid war film
demyraldi18 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The film set in 1947 (2 year after Indonesian declare it's independence) when the Dutch Imperial lauch it's first military aggression to fail the republican goal to maintain it's independence. Where there's a small band of Republican Army tried to secure The Indonesian independence through bloody armed conflict between Republican Army with Dutch Imperial.
I would say that if you expect some large scale battle type of film, this is definitely not for you. But if you are interested in somekind of historical war film, go check this out. But since this is more like action driven movie (and few dramas of course), you can still watch some decent action here and there.
I would say that if you expect some large scale battle type of film, this is definitely not for you. But if you are interested in somekind of historical war film, go check this out. But since this is more like action driven movie (and few dramas of course), you can still watch some decent action here and there.
Nice array of characters, some questionable details
historianblues23 August 2009
Merah Putih was set in 1947, the producer's homage to especially his relatives, a 21-year old lieutenant and a 16-year old cadet, who died defending the republic during the time. This film boasts of a crew that also comprises of experts who have been involved in blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Blackhawk Down.
Amir (played by perhaps the greatest Indonesian actor of the new generation, Lukman Sardi) was a teacher who at first refused to join the battles. But after one of his student died in the hands of the Japanese, now he decided to be up in arms against the returning Dutch forces. He joined Sekolah Perwira – a school for officers – and met an array of characters there.
There was also Surono (Zumi Zola) who had to leave his older sister, the only family he got left in this world, behind. He joined the school with his best friend during his university years, blueblooded, stuck-up Marius (Darius Sinathrya, who surprisingly pulled a convincing performance, although some say his Persian looks aren't too in line with his character as a Javanese nobleman, or priyayi). They both came late to their first day at school, having spent the night bingeing.
The school didn't only take in highly educated people – it also received a farmhand ("We keep chicken, not pigs, Marius") named Tomas (Donny Alamsyah). Being a Christian and a Manadonese ("Dutch dogs!" claimed Marius in disgust), Tomas became the target of bullying by the Javanese proud priyayi boy. Somehow Marius found Tomas a better object to ridicule than the Hindu Balinese, Dayan, a very polite and calm knife-wielder. (I heard the audience whispered, "How polite!" every time Dayan gave a greeting with his palms closed in one another, fingers extended touching.) The frictions of the characters – and how they try to settle them down – are one of the most interesting points of the film, especially when they found themselves beaten black and blue, surrounded by the Dutch forces, with the hesitant, newly-made Lieutenant Amir as their sole leader! I must give credits to all the actors and actresses here for showing us a top-class performance. Some viewers who watched the film with me even handclapped because they felt so excited! (And somebody shouted 'Amen' when Marius wondered on screen whether they could escape the Dutch – it was just one of the moments why watching films on theatres is so interesting!) For Indonesians, the film would feel so cool. To see our heroes smashing the Dutch soldiers to pieces with so few men and arms really drew the outloud comments of 'Cooooool' from the audience. But this film lacked the humanity shown even by revolution-era writers like Nugroho Notosusanto or Idrus – the capability of showing that the enemies were human too.
But well, the story's still long – MP is the first part of a trilogy – and perhaps there will be more details about the Dutch characters later. In MP, they're shown as nothing but evil pigs trying to snatch the land from the Indonesians again. But then again perhaps that's what nationalist films should be Remember Braveheart and The Patriot? And, oh, please, I don't believe anyone's clothes can be that squeaky clean when they've spent a day and a night in the woods. At least the butt of their trousers will show some signs, no?
Amir (played by perhaps the greatest Indonesian actor of the new generation, Lukman Sardi) was a teacher who at first refused to join the battles. But after one of his student died in the hands of the Japanese, now he decided to be up in arms against the returning Dutch forces. He joined Sekolah Perwira – a school for officers – and met an array of characters there.
There was also Surono (Zumi Zola) who had to leave his older sister, the only family he got left in this world, behind. He joined the school with his best friend during his university years, blueblooded, stuck-up Marius (Darius Sinathrya, who surprisingly pulled a convincing performance, although some say his Persian looks aren't too in line with his character as a Javanese nobleman, or priyayi). They both came late to their first day at school, having spent the night bingeing.
The school didn't only take in highly educated people – it also received a farmhand ("We keep chicken, not pigs, Marius") named Tomas (Donny Alamsyah). Being a Christian and a Manadonese ("Dutch dogs!" claimed Marius in disgust), Tomas became the target of bullying by the Javanese proud priyayi boy. Somehow Marius found Tomas a better object to ridicule than the Hindu Balinese, Dayan, a very polite and calm knife-wielder. (I heard the audience whispered, "How polite!" every time Dayan gave a greeting with his palms closed in one another, fingers extended touching.) The frictions of the characters – and how they try to settle them down – are one of the most interesting points of the film, especially when they found themselves beaten black and blue, surrounded by the Dutch forces, with the hesitant, newly-made Lieutenant Amir as their sole leader! I must give credits to all the actors and actresses here for showing us a top-class performance. Some viewers who watched the film with me even handclapped because they felt so excited! (And somebody shouted 'Amen' when Marius wondered on screen whether they could escape the Dutch – it was just one of the moments why watching films on theatres is so interesting!) For Indonesians, the film would feel so cool. To see our heroes smashing the Dutch soldiers to pieces with so few men and arms really drew the outloud comments of 'Cooooool' from the audience. But this film lacked the humanity shown even by revolution-era writers like Nugroho Notosusanto or Idrus – the capability of showing that the enemies were human too.
But well, the story's still long – MP is the first part of a trilogy – and perhaps there will be more details about the Dutch characters later. In MP, they're shown as nothing but evil pigs trying to snatch the land from the Indonesians again. But then again perhaps that's what nationalist films should be Remember Braveheart and The Patriot? And, oh, please, I don't believe anyone's clothes can be that squeaky clean when they've spent a day and a night in the woods. At least the butt of their trousers will show some signs, no?
big disappointment
blabberbrat13 August 2009
Timing was so perfect...only a few days away from the independence celebration..
The theme and genre was longed by the market...
The marketing effort has managed to create such an awareness and expectation to get people flocking in with such level of curiosity and anticipation...
The idealism and all that jazz are there..
But...this motion picture failed in delivering its promises...
Yes...we are all waiting for some quality local pictures to come to our cinemas..
Casts were those of high quality...
But, could I believe the way the plot was carried out...after one hour I haven't even seen any war scene; and this was suppose to be a war movie..
cinematography was awful...they're keep overusing close-ups even for scenes that needs something like a bird-eye's view or something with a broader angle..
Storyline was way too cliché and the dialogs are all jumbled...
I think what they really wanted to show was how that different colors of the archipelago managed to gone through all their differences, joined together by a noble cause and coming out as a band-o'-brothers..
I can't believe this how this movie had ruined such a perfect occasion and wasted so many talents (on and off screen as well).
For goodness sake...work on the storyline, people!!
The theme and genre was longed by the market...
The marketing effort has managed to create such an awareness and expectation to get people flocking in with such level of curiosity and anticipation...
The idealism and all that jazz are there..
But...this motion picture failed in delivering its promises...
Yes...we are all waiting for some quality local pictures to come to our cinemas..
Casts were those of high quality...
But, could I believe the way the plot was carried out...after one hour I haven't even seen any war scene; and this was suppose to be a war movie..
cinematography was awful...they're keep overusing close-ups even for scenes that needs something like a bird-eye's view or something with a broader angle..
Storyline was way too cliché and the dialogs are all jumbled...
I think what they really wanted to show was how that different colors of the archipelago managed to gone through all their differences, joined together by a noble cause and coming out as a band-o'-brothers..
I can't believe this how this movie had ruined such a perfect occasion and wasted so many talents (on and off screen as well).
For goodness sake...work on the storyline, people!!
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda...
savatose17 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Well..thankfully that I have a low expectation about this movie so I don't feel so down when I saw it.
a lot of plot holes & incorrect things (like the cloths so neatly & clean, even when they all stay in the forest for days.). The script writing is still cliché & undeveloped, & why when people lost someone, they tend to shout out loud looking up? anyway, for me, is still one of a well made indonesian movie.
my plus point for this movie is coming from the characters. With many characters, I'm not confuse which one is which. Also, the talk about religion & suku bangsa, it's light but still a brain teaser to indonesian people. & oh yeah, lots of punch line hits correctly.
note: this movie is bold to kill a beloved character
btw, I think this movie meant to be scene by international audience cos if not, Soerono sister & the teacher's wife should be switch place.
hopefully the next instalment can redeem the first one.
(hey, when I watch it, I didn't get the red & white bandana :( )
a lot of plot holes & incorrect things (like the cloths so neatly & clean, even when they all stay in the forest for days.). The script writing is still cliché & undeveloped, & why when people lost someone, they tend to shout out loud looking up? anyway, for me, is still one of a well made indonesian movie.
my plus point for this movie is coming from the characters. With many characters, I'm not confuse which one is which. Also, the talk about religion & suku bangsa, it's light but still a brain teaser to indonesian people. & oh yeah, lots of punch line hits correctly.
note: this movie is bold to kill a beloved character
btw, I think this movie meant to be scene by international audience cos if not, Soerono sister & the teacher's wife should be switch place.
hopefully the next instalment can redeem the first one.
(hey, when I watch it, I didn't get the red & white bandana :( )
Such a waste..
kheu_217 August 2009
A big budget movie, with a great casts and crew, great promotion & gimmick..I get a red-white mini flag in cinema entrance, such a sweet give away..
But all will be waste, if you don't have a strong script to begin with. A lot of home works are not done by writers and I have a guess, they don't really like history in their school. And this is not because the writers are not local Indonesian
If I can compare, at the same time, we have 'MERANTAU" that have a local content as much as MERAH PUTIH, written & directed by non-Indonesian guy and the result is superb... Merah Putih is big suck! They need to learn more about our history or consult with the expert or whatever need to be done since the budget is not the issue, hopefully before the 2nd and 3rd installment out.
I still have faith for this movie..Hope I am not wrong this time.
But all will be waste, if you don't have a strong script to begin with. A lot of home works are not done by writers and I have a guess, they don't really like history in their school. And this is not because the writers are not local Indonesian
If I can compare, at the same time, we have 'MERANTAU" that have a local content as much as MERAH PUTIH, written & directed by non-Indonesian guy and the result is superb... Merah Putih is big suck! They need to learn more about our history or consult with the expert or whatever need to be done since the budget is not the issue, hopefully before the 2nd and 3rd installment out.
I still have faith for this movie..Hope I am not wrong this time.
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