“Chang”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 323, 7 April 1928, Page 21

“Chang”

CLASSIC OF THE SCREEN * * Frivate View in Auckland , By the Movie Editor) ■ IS ONE OB' THE MOST REMARKABLE PICTURES OF THE YEAR. FOR ONCE THE CRITICS AND THE EXHIBITORS ARE IN HEARTY AGREEMENT

HERE IS A FILM, TOO, ABSOLUTELY' DEVOID OF SEX INTEREST. ON THAT ACCOUNT ALONE “CHANG" IS WORTHY OF A HIGH PLACE. IT IS A PICTURE THAT EVERY NEW ZEALANDER, PARTICULARLY EVERY YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER, INTERESTED IN THE GREAT WORLD BEYOND OUR SHORES, SHOULD SEE.

one sat in the miniature movie theatre at the Auckland headquarters of Paramount —generally known as the projection room — watching the pitiful fight of the family of Kru against the mighty jungle the thought instantly leapt into the mind: “This struggle of Kru and his wife Chan-tui for existence is but the struggle of mankind in general.’’ Cradle of the Race “Chang” was photographed in a land not far removed from the cradle of the human race. In this part of the Asiatic continent there is evidence on every hand of man’s eternal combat with the ever-grasping jungle. Here time matters little. Cities have been caught by the encroaching forest. Whole empires have vanished in its mighty embrace. Little indeed remains of the puny efforts of humanity, which, in their

day, seemed all-sufficient, so imposing, so very important. .... Which, of course, brings us back to the family of Kru and their combined efforts to force the jungle to give them a home, a rice patch, and some protection —however meagre it might be—for their animals. Capture of Baby Chang

The capture of the baby chang (elephant). An enraged maddened elephant in search of its tethered offspring. And then calamity to the House of Kru, from a mob of elephants mad for vengeance. The story of “Chang” is simple, yet so enthrallingly interesting. . . . With a hopeful heart Kru again commences the struggle and bravely builds still another home. And so Kru, and all mankind, fulfil the demands of destiny. “Chang” is assuredly a classic of '•the screen.