The 7th Dawn

The 7th Dawn

Year: 1964

Runtime: 123 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis Gilbert

WarAdventureDramaPolitics and human rightsWar and historical adventure

Political and personal intrigues surround a group of characters in Malaya, after the close of the Second World War.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The 7th Dawn yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The 7th Dawn (1964)

Trace every key event in The 7th Dawn (1964) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Emergence after surrender

As the Japanese surrender ends in Malaya, Ferris, Dhana, and Ng stumble out of the jungle into a new, uncertain peace. They meet Trumpey, the British officer presiding over the ceremony, setting the stage for shifting loyalties in a land on the brink of independence.

1945 Surrender ceremony site, Malaya
2

Ng goes to Moscow

Ng leaves Malaya to train in Moscow, severing his ties with Ferris and Dhana. His departure foreshadows the widening gap between revolutionary zeal and local loyalties.

1945 Malaya
3

1953 insurgency erupts

By 1953, the Malayan struggle intensifies as the British confront a rising communist insurgency. Ferris has become a prosperous rubber planter, Dhana runs a teachers’ union, and Ng returns as a hardened revolutionary. The three old friends find their fates drawn toward violence and power.

1953 Malaya
4

Ferris urged to persuade Ng

British officials ask Ferris to pressure Ng to halt attacks until independence is granted. He travels to Ng’s guerrilla camp, but Ng distrusts the British and refuses any deal.

1953 Ng’s guerrilla camp
5

Candace enters the scene

Ferris meets Candace, Trumpey’s daughter, at a social event and feels drawn into a delicate, dangerous attraction. Candace invites him to a party at Carcosa Seri Negara, hinting at bridges between the colonial elite and the local leadership.

1953 Carcosa Seri Negara
6

The party bombing

A terrorist bombing erupts at the Carcosa Seri Negara party, shattering the fragile political mood. The attack intensifies suspicions and shifts personal loyalties among Ferris, Candace, and Ng.

1953 Carcosa Seri Negara
7

Dhana’s radicalization

In retaliation for the bombing, Trumpey orders destruction of the bomber’s village, horrifying Dhana. She tells Ferris she wants to join Ng’s cause, deepening the conflict between personal loyalties and political idealism.

1953 Bomber’s village; Dhana’s school vicinity
8

Dhana arrested and condemned

Dhana is arrested after explosives are found in her groceries, tried, and sentenced to death. Both she and Ferris refuse to betray Ng to win clemency, preserving their loyalties.

1953 Prison, Malaya
9

Candace offers herself as hostage

Candace visits Dhana in prison and is moved by her innocence. Dhana asks Candace to help Ferris cope with her death, and Candace volunteers to become Ng’s hostage in exchange for Dhana’s life.

1953 Prison, Malaya
10

Ferris moves to kill Ng

Ferris decides the only way to save Dhana is to kill Ng, and he treks into the jungle toward Ng’s headquarters. The British grant seven days to locate Ng before ordering Dhana’s execution.

1953 Ng’s jungle headquarters
11

Ng captures Candace

As the pursuit closes in, Ng seizes Candace as a hostage, while the British learn Ng’s camp location and launch an assault. Ng escapes with Candace, forcing Ferris to press on.

1953 Ng’s camp
12

Ferris rescues Candace and recaptures Ng

Ferris catches up to Ng in the jungle, rescues Candace, and takes Ng prisoner. They struggle toward the coast, with Ferris hoping to hand Ng to the British rather than let Dhana die.

1953 Jungle toward the coast
13

Final confrontation and Ng’s death

In a brutal exchange, Candace shoots Ng, who dies soon after. On his deathbed, Ng reveals he planted the explosives in Dhana’s bicycle to provoke protests against the British.

1953 Jungle/Coastal road
14

Bridge fails; Dhana executed; rescue

The rescue attempt to save Dhana is thwarted when a flood washes out the bridge. Dhana is executed as scheduled, and Ferris and Candace are rescued by the British, ending their jungle ordeal.

1953 Bridge crossing; execution site
15

Farewell in Malaya

Some time later, Ferris visits Candace and learns she has survived her ordeal. He confesses that he is too old for romance and must leave Malaya, bidding farewell as Malay protests against Dhana’s death begin to surge.

Sometime after 1953 Carcosa Seri Negara / Malaya

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:38

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The 7th Dawn Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The 7th Dawn

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