Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness, also known simply as Chang (from Thai ช้าง, "elephant") is a 1927 American silent documentary film about a poor farmer in northern Nan Province (northern Thailand) and his daily struggle for survival in the jungle. The film was directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.[1] It was released by Famous Players–Lasky, a division of Paramount Pictures.
| Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Written by | Achmed Abdullah |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Ernest B. Schoedsack |
| Edited by | Louis R. Loeffler |
| Music by | Hugo Riesenfeld |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 64 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages |
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Plot
Kru, the farmer depicted in the film, battles leopards, tigers, and even a herd of elephants, all of which pose a constant threat to his livelihood. As filmmakers, Cooper and Schoedsack attempted to capture real life with their cameras, though they often re-staged events that had not been captured adequately on film. The danger was real to all the people and animals involved. Tigers, leopards, and bears are slaughtered on camera,[2] while the film's climax shows Kru's house being demolished by a stampeding elephant.
Release
Home media
Chang was released for the first time on DVD by Image Entertainment on November 21, 2000.[3] Milestone Video would release the film on VHS and on DVD on January 8, 2002[4] and October 29, 2013, respectively.[3]
Reception
Chang was one of the "biggest movies of 1928."[2]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 18 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10.[5]
Author and film critic Leonard Maltin awarded the film three and a half of four stars, calling the film "[a] fascinating ethnographic documentary/narrative."[6] Mordaunt Hall from The New York Times praised the film, calling it "vivid and thrilling."[7]
Awards
Chang was nominated for the Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Production at the first Academy Awards in 1929,[2] the only time that award was presented.
See also
References
External links
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