Best Malaysian history movies
A curated collection of popular history movies from Malaysia.
The Rape of Malaya (1959)
The Rape of Malaya (1959)
'Mata Hari' was Malay Film Productions’ second war movie based on the Japanese invasion of Malaya/Singapore in 1941-42, released a few months after the resounding success of Lamberto Avellana and P. Ramlee’s 'Sergeant Hassan'. Written by Abdul Razak (who did the scripts for the 'Pontianak' film series) and directed by the prolific Ramon Estella, the movie stars beauty queen Maria Menado (of Pontianak fame) as ‘Matahari’, the daughter of a kampong headman who is captured by the Japanese. She witnesses the atrocities committed by the invaders, who tortured her father to death and rounded up innocent women to become prostitutes and mistresses for their commanders. Not wanting to cower to the enemy, Matahari (which means the sun in Malay and was also the name of a real-life WWI German spy) decides to form and lead a guerrilla force to fight the Japanese.
China Wife (1957)
China Wife (1957)
Ah-gau (Keung Chung-ping) leaves his wife Sou Jing, and son in Macau for Nanyang to join his cousin (Patrick Tse Yin) in search of employment. A series of events propel Ah-gau into high society and he falls in love with a tycoon’s daughter, Ming-zyu, (Patsy Kar Ling). Abandoned by Ah-gau, Sou Jing suffers in utter poverty and journeys to Singapore in search of her husband.
Saloma (Part 1) (2014)
Saloma (Part 1) (2014)
In remembrance of the legendary Singaporean-Malaysian songstress that came to prominence in the late 50s until the early 80s, Salmah binti Ismail, better known as Saloma, comes a four-hour long biopic with a star-studded cast including Nabila Huda, Azhan Rani, Tony Eusoff, Sazzy Falak, Sharifah Amani, Julia Ziegler, Amerul Affendi and many others. Part 1 covers her early years and her attempt at becoming a singer, as well as her marriage to her first husband, AR Tompel.
Pagari Bulan (2023)
Pagari Bulan (2023)
In 1941-1945 Women who were taken from their families to be used to satisfy the lust of the soldiers during the Japanese colonial era in Malaya. The story of Bulan, her younger sister Kasih and Sui Li were kidnapped by the Japanese army to be made victims of the gluttony of the soldiers in their Camp. Can they continue to live or die in the hands of Japan.
1957 Hati Malaya (2007)
1957 Hati Malaya (2007)
Four young Malaysians, Salmi, Razak, Ani and Angee have been assigned to do a picture book of ‘1957’. While two of them grudgingly carry out the request made by the publisher, Zahari, one of them takes on the role enthusiastically. Along the way, they find themselves immersed in the characters, emotional moments, identifying with and finding meaning in the struggle of ‘1957’. They weave the story of independence by transporting themselves back to the past. Ordinary Malaysians who fell in love, and found their love for the country override their personal emotions. The present characters find new meaning to ‘Merdeka’
Snow in Midsummer (2023)
Snow in Midsummer (2023)
For 49 years, Ah Eng and Dou E were trapped in the "513" timeline. In 1969, post-election tensions gripped Kuala Lumpur when the Cantonese street opera "Snow in June" showcased Dou E, portrayed by the troupe master. Amid a riot, Ah Eng and her mother sought refuge with the troupe, losing contact with her brother and father. In 2018, Ah Eng returned to Kuala Lumpur and unexpectedly encountered "Dou E" at the cemetery.
Hang Jebat (1961)
Hang Jebat (1961)
Inspired by a Malay legend about two friends whose relationship is tested by conflicting loyalties.
Sultan Mahmood Mangkat Di-Julang (1961)
Sultan Mahmood Mangkat Di-Julang (1961)
Based on the royal and political events during the heyday of the Malacca Sultanate. A member of the Sultanate, Megat Datuk Seri Rama, successfully defeats a group of pirates, and rescues a local beautiful woman in the process. The king, Sultan Mahmud, was delighted with his victory for his kingdom and promotes Megat Datuk Seri Rama to Rear Admiral Datuk. This leads to resentment and jealousy from another member of the court, Bija Tun Ali, especially after Rear Admiral Megat Datuk Seri Rama marries the woman he rescued. Bija Tun Ali then leads a conspiracy against him which ultimately leads to tragedy and upheaval in the kingdom. Written by mahajanssen
Siti Zubaidah (1962)
Siti Zubaidah (1962)
Siti Zubaidah is based upon the 19th century poem 'Syair Siti Zubaidah Perang Cina'. It centers on Siti Zubaidah, the wife of Sultan Zainal Abidin, who is left defenseless after her husband is taken hostage by a Chinese empress. She eventually allies herself with Princess Rukia of Yunnan, who had fled her own palace under threats of sexual assault. Taking matters into their own hands, they adopt male identities and lead a military conquest across China to rescue the Sultan. Directed by B. N. Rao and starring Maria Menado, the Cathay production borrowed from both of its niches at the time: the film language and costume styles of Malay cinema and Chinese wuxia films, resulting in an imagined reality fusing both visual cultures. At the core of the myriad garbs, armour, accessories and makeup donned by the characters, the tale chronicles the adoption of transformative identities to overcome adversity, enact justice and revenge.