User Reviews

Here's an epic miniseries, a co-production between France, Germany, and Italy and filmed in Asia, based on the same novels that inspired Lenzi's movie SANDOKAN THE GREAT and the sequels (both "official" and otherwise) that followed it in the early '60s. Despite a truly mammoth running time, this is still watchable stuff that deftly mixes together action, adventure, political intrigue, tragedy, and romance, all in a far eastern setting that will prove quite eye-opening to Western viewers (thanks to plentiful use of local colour, from snake charmers to roaming tigers in the jungle). The settings are authentic because they WERE, the costumes are all fine and the seafaring action is never less than convincing. Finally, a budget to do such an epic story properly, and SANDOKAN hits all the right spots and the dialogue isn't too shabby either (a common failing with such Italian productions). And you've gotta love the irrepressibly catchy theme tune that bookends the adventure.

This is a fast-moving production, with multiple characters and plot strands, but one which never becomes too complex and always sticks to its main principle, i.e. Sandokan vs. the British rule. There are lots of action scenes to enjoy, dotted throughout the production, and these mix well with quieter moments of characterisation and romance between the leads. Sword fights and gun battles are the norm here, as well as genre staples like jailbreaks and hostage-taking. On top of everything is a sometimes beautiful soundtrack which just enhances what you see on screen. My favourite moment is the beautifully-shot underwater escape of Sandokan after he has just been buried at sea and the effects of the sleeping pill conveniently wear off. Gotta love the image that Sollima creates of black-clad invaders stealthily crawling up a beach like crabs - an almost mystical shot.

As the centrally important Sandokan figure, Kabir Bedi cuts a dark and smouldering pose and is somehow more fitting for the role than the ludicrously miscast Ray Danton and the brawny Steve Reeves. This is a man who, for once and once only, actually looks the part of a scruffy-haired, exotic-looking pirate leader, and you can actually believe that Bedi is a man capable of leading others - always a good sign. I think he would have been great for the role of Rasputin if it had come up. Carole Andre is the epitome of fragile feminine beauty as love interest Marianna and Philippe Leroy-Beaulieu makes good work of his essentially comic-relief Portuguese sidekick Janez De Gomera. Adolfo Celi - the guy who seems to be in every Italian action, adventure or gialli movie in the '70s - is also great fun as the smooth villain Brooke and seems to have been born to play the role.

However, what comes as the biggest surprise is that the lower cast members who are simply extras are also good. Yes, these South Asian non-actors fit their roles perfectly - I'm talking about the tiger-hunting boy and those of his ilk - and give the movie solid, authentic support. On this note, there's a show of local colour in part two which involves Sandokan and Marianna getting married and a tribal celebration taking place as a result - native gifts are given and rituals and dances are performed. You know instinctively that these are true-to-life so Sandokan becomes educational as well as fun fictional viewing.

Things become more serious later on when a fanatic poisons the water supply in Sandokan's community and causes the death of hundreds of his followers. The romantic angle gives way for some poignant conversations concerning mortality and death and then all-out war ensues after Brooke hires a private army to finally destroy Sandokan and his followers. Excellent shoot-outs and a riveting chase through the jungle follow, including a terrific "death run" in which one man attempts to kill Brooke himself and very nearly does so before being shot down. Unfortunately the lack of real conclusion to the story is a little disappointing, but not too big a flaw. In the end SANDOKAN feels like a prolonged and well-portrayed episode in the lives of the south sea adventurers and, as such, is unique viewing.

One of the novels I most relished as a teenager was "The Tigers of Mompracem" by Emilio Salgari. What a joy to discover a worthy adaptation had been rendered in film! Kabir Bedi will forever equal Sandokan in my mind; other actors later cast for this role could not evoke the character's charisma, strength, honor and tenderness as Bedi does. Unforgettable also are Carole Andrè as Mariana and Philippe Leroy as Yáñez. I found myself roaring the challenge along with Sandokan and his faithful Tigers, as well as weeping at Mariana's passing in Sandokan's arms; not to mention wishing someone scored a hit at the White Rajah's gloating face. However, that was not to be: the difference between Lords Brooke and Guillonk and Sandokan is precisely that they remained secure after sending underlings to do battle, while Sandokan always stood as one with his Tigers, even when facing overwhelming odds. Devoted friend and lover, mighty warrior, heroic patriot: a character that never fails to inspire. This gorgeous film adaptation is a treasure.

The movie theaters of my childhood smelled of dirt, alcohol, cigars, filth, urine, and many other things, even chewing—gum, cheap cologne , cookies and old, worn clothes; but then again, there were poor theaters, and there were more clean ones. It very much depended upon the regular audiences, the neighborhood, the town. In my years of fervency, I frequented some four movie theaters—and have been in perhaps seven or eight in all my life (5—6 here in Iaşi, one in Huşi, one in Slãnic M.—where I've seen SUPERMAN ). I'm not including here the new mall rooms, the multiplexes. The years I've called 'of fervency' were between 7 and 16 (i.e., between '85 and '94).

In such a theater, in the best and less filthy of them all, I have seen SANDOKAN, the Malaysian tiger. Judging by its content, it played like a two—parts digest of the TV series. Sort of an abridged version. I remember the awesome credits—the exotic model; and Sandokan's escape trick—his lethargy, and his underwater revival and breaking free. I think it's a terrific boys' movie.

Much later, I've seen the whole TV series, as well. I enjoyed it enormously, and consider it a hallmark of the adventure cinema.