{"id":3911,"date":"2007-08-21T12:42:27","date_gmt":"2007-08-21T19:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3911"},"modified":"2020-12-22T11:46:01","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T18:46:01","slug":"chang-1927","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3911","title":{"rendered":"Chang (1927)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Such is the Law of the Jungle: Death to the weaker, food to the stronger.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Poster-209x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-31561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Poster-209x300.jpg 209w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Poster-89x128.jpg 89w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn the Siamese jungle, Kru and his family struggle to survive while protecting their home from wild animals. When a baby elephant (a &#8220;chang&#8221;) is caught in a trap, an entirely new challenge arises.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hunting<\/li>\n<li>Jungles<\/li>\n<li>Native Peoples<\/li>\n<li>Silent Films<\/li>\n<li>Survival<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nSeveral years before making their phenomenally successful classic <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=43687\"><em>King Kong<\/em> (1933)<\/a>, directors Merian Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack helmed this ethnographic docudrama set in the jungles of &#8220;Siam&#8221; (now Thailand). Basing their loose narrative on months of exposure to the natives&#8217; daily lives, the story comes across as remarkably authentic, despite its clear staging. The close-up shots Cooper and Schoedsack were able to get of wild animals (including the infamous &#8220;tiger shot&#8221;, when a tiger&#8217;s snout literally swipes the camera&#8217;s lens) are remarkable today, and must have been doubly so back to audiences back in 1927. While this film is recommended as must-see viewing for its historical importance, it&#8217;s full of memorable images, and chances are you&#8217;ll enjoy it more than you expect. If you rent the DVD, be sure to listen to the insightful commentary track. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> While Peary doesn&#8217;t review this title in his <em>GFTFF<\/em>, in <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em> he refers to it rather disparagingly as a &#8220;silly, wild-animal-laden semidocumentary&#8221; while noting its designation as &#8220;the odd third nominee in [the Best Artistic Quality of Production] category]&#8221;.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A dramatized yet relatively authentic look at native Siamese life<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-House.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-House.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-House.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-House-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-House-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-House-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Schoedsack&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Cinematography.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Cinematography.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Cinematography.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Cinematography-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Cinematography-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Cinematography-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Remarkably natural performances from everyone involved (all non-actors)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Laughing.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Laughing.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Laughing.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Laughing-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Laughing-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Laughing-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Bimbo running for his life from a leopard (an unexpectedly amusing sequence)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Running.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Running.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Running.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Running-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Running-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Running-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Kru&#8217;s son playing with various baby animals<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Bear.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Bear.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Bear.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Bear-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Bear-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Bear-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The infamous &#8220;tiger shot&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Tiger.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Tiger.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Tiger.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Tiger-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Tiger-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Tiger-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The magnificent elephant herd stampedes<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Elephants.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Elephants.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Elephants.jpg 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Elephants-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Elephants-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/Chang-Elephants-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for its historical importance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0017743\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1927\/04\/30\/archives\/the-screen.html\">NY Times Original Review (spoilers alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1791scho.html\">DVD Savant Review (scroll down)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/308178\/chang#articles-reviews?articleId=87769\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/film\/newyork\/reviews\/69062\/Chang_A_Drama_of_the_Wilderness.html\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Such is the Law of the Jungle: Death to the weaker, food to the stronger.&#8221; Synopsis: In the Siamese jungle, Kru and his family struggle to survive while protecting their home from wild animals. When a baby elephant (a &#8220;chang&#8221;) is caught in a trap, an entirely new challenge arises. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Hunting Jungles Native Peoples Silent Films Survival Review: Several years before making their phenomenally successful classic King Kong (1933), directors Merian Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3911\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3911"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59030,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3911\/revisions\/59030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}