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Indonesia 1974
Director: Pietrajaya Burnama
Cast: Eddy Sud, Ateng, Iskak, Vivi Sumanti
Rating: Dewasa (Adult)
Language: Bahasa Indonesia
VCD Quality: Poor/Decent/Excellent
Release Date: 1974
Running Length: 1 hour 38 minutes 43 seconds
The Movie Review
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KWARTET JAYA:
ATENG RAJA PENYAMUN
( Ateng the King of Thieves ) |
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In the 70s, the name of Kwartet Jaya group was so famous. Kwartet Jaya, or in English probably would be the Great Quartet Group, was not just picking a popular theme like "Dukun Palsu" (or "Fake Shaman") as the premise of their movies, but also a legendary tale of Ali Baba. Before Warkop group even made spoof of 6 Million Dollar Man and Chips, Kwartet Jaya group had predated them with their movie called "Ateng Raja Penyamun" or in English would be "Ateng the King of Thieves". This time however the legendary Indonesian comedian Bing Slamet was no longer with them, fortunately for us, they could still deliver good jokes and not just funny but also contains satirical insinuation of the poor and the rich. What I'm trying to state is, this comedy film in some part is also heavy on the drama. And not pure comedy like in other Kwartet Jaya films.
Eddy Sud is Ali Baba, an honest and hardworking man who lives with his loyal wife, Latifah and his spirited and naive uncle Abu (Iskak). When searching for some woods, Ali Baba and uncle Abu overhear a band of marauders and robbers led by Ateng the king of robbers entering a hidden cave that can only be opened by shouting "Sesam, Buka Pintu" (Sesame, open the door) and can only also be closed by shouting "Sesam, Tutup Pintu" (Sesame, close the door). Eventually Ali Baba brings home a couple of sacks filled with gold that change their poor life into a glimmering prosperous one. Ali Baba's envious and arrogant brother Kasim Baba determines to defeat Ali Baba by selling Ali to Ateng. Ali's hope lies in the hand of Fatimah (Vivi Sumanti), a girl raised by Ateng but who is in doubt about her shrouded past. What will happen to Ali Baba?
Upon seeing classic movies, sometimes it is needed for fellow moviegoers to overlook certain things. The foremost flaw is the video quality which is very poor with distorted colours and the second would be its set design which is so simple and downright fake. But I'm sure the latter is not that big of an annoyance. Besides this is a comedy not an epic movie like Saur Sepuh. The thing is even though the jokes are now seem moth-eaten, still if the lines are said by experienced and professional comedians, decades later those jokes still could make me laugh. On the level with you all, it's still not the same without the presence of Bing Slamet, it would have been more hilarious if he had been presence, but that's not the case, right... Besides, the sound effects are effective and sound really funny.
From all four members of Kwartet Jaya group, it's Eddy Sud who used to be the troublemaker or the antagonist and Ateng was the one who used to be the victim in their movies. In Ateng Raja Penyamun, however, the roles are flipped and being professional actors, their acting simply fit the bills.
For fellow moviegoers who are not the fans of Kwartet Jaya Group, this title probably won't impress you that much. I suggest you to see their movies where Bing Slamet was still playing. For fans, if you could overlook several things I mentioned earlier, this flick is decent enough to collect.
© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com
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