Watch Max Havelaar

Max Havelaar is a 1976 Dutch film directed by Fons Rademakers and based on the 1860 novel Max Havelaar, or the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company by Multatuli. The film stars Peter Faber as Max Havelaar, Sacha Bulthuis as his wife Tine, and Adendu Soesilaningrat as the Javanese assistant of Havelaar, Saidjah. The film tells the story of Max Havelaar, a Dutch colonial officer in Java in the mid-19th century. Havelaar is a man of integrity who is determined to fight corruption and injustice in the colonial system. He becomes aware of the exploitation of the Javanese people by the Dutch colonial authorities and is confronted with the corruption of his fellow officers.

Havelaar's attempts to reform the colonial system are met with resistance from his superiors, who see him as a threat to their power and profits. Havelaar also faces personal challenges as his wife Tine struggles to adapt to life in Java and his friendship with Saidjah puts him at odds with the colonial authorities.

The film is a powerful indictment of the colonial system and its injustices. It shows how the Dutch exploited the Javanese people for their own gain and how those who tried to fight against this exploitation were often silenced or punished. Max Havelaar is portrayed as a hero who is willing to risk his career and his life to fight for justice and equality.

The performances in Max Havelaar are excellent, particularly Peter Faber as Max Havelaar. He gives a nuanced and powerful performance as a man of integrity struggling against a corrupt system. Sacha Bulthuis is also excellent as Tine, Max Havelaar's wife, who is torn between her love for her husband and her dissatisfaction with life in Java. Adendu Soesilaningrat gives a moving performance as Saidjah, the Javanese assistant who becomes Max Havelaar's friend and ally.

The film is visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography that captures the beauty of the Indonesian landscape. The music is also excellent, combining traditional Indonesian music with Western orchestral music to create a haunting and evocative score.

Overall, Max Havelaar is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of colonialism, corruption, and social justice. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Dutch colonial history or in the fight against injustice and exploitation. The film is both entertaining and educational, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 1976. So, it is a highly recommended film for all.