Sandokan the Great (film)

Sandokan the Great

Film poster
Directed by Umberto Lenzi
Produced by Solly V. Bianco
Joseph Fryd
Written by Víctor Andrés Catena
Fulvio Gicca Palli
Umberto Lenzi
Emilio Salgari
Based on Emilio Salgari (novel)
Starring Steve Reeves
Cinematography Aurelio G. Larraya
Angelo Lotti
Giovanni Scarpellini
Edited by Jolanda Benvenuti
Antonietta Zita
Release dates
  • 19 December 1963
Running time
105 minutes
Country Italy
Language Italian

Sandokan the Great (Italian: Sandokan, la tigre di Mompracem) is a 1963 Italian adventure film directed by Umberto Lenzi and starring Steve Reeves[1] in the first of a film series about Sandokan.

Plot

Malaysia, the second half of 1800. The English Queen Victoria owns the domain of the eastern lands of Borneo, commanded by Lord James Guillonk, fierce and ruthless conqueror, father of the beautiful Marianna Guillon, nicknamed "the Pearl of Labuan". The brave Sandokan is a young Indian prince, that as a child he lost his kingdom because of the invasion of English. Sandokan is now the captain of a den of pirates who are constantly attacking the British soldiers. One day Sandokan and his friend Yanez're moving from the island of Malaysia to the lands of Borneo. There Sandokan is injured in an attack, and is treated by the family of James Guillonk.

In fact, the governor does not know in person Sandokan, and exchanges the pirate for a noble Indian. Sandokan is going to the game, because even he falls in love with Marianna. Even the girl falls in love with the Indian. But the love of the two is going to last long, because James Guillonk discovers the deception. In fact Sandokan has just attended a tiger hunt, and is forced to flee into the jungle. The soldiers of Guillonk chase him, Sandokan takes refuge in his fortified island. Yanez suggests him a cunning plan: Yanez will be disguised by Indian Ambassador to arrange a marriage between Marianna Guillonk and a noble Indian. But Marianna is already promised to a British officer. James Guillonk so discovers the deception of Yanez, and declares open war against Sandokan.

Cast

Production

For this film Giovanni Cianfriglia was the stuntman of Steve Reeves.[2]

Biography

References

  1. "New York Times: Sandokan the Great". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  2. Hughes, p.39

External links