Filem: Oh Merong~!

A History of Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa

This is the first Malaysian movie that really impressed me with the story line, accessories and actors. Nothing to say, but thumbs up to KRU Production for producing this kind of story. After watched this movie, I really wanna know the real history behind this story. Is that based on a true story or just an imagination? And now I think that I knew where is the truth. Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa (HMM) is a collection of story from Kedah (a state in Northern Malaysia), and maybe it was not only imagination, but a legend that should not be forgotten. Please read HERE for further info on the real story of HMM.


Based loosely on the 16th century historical document entitled ‘The Malay Annals’, ’The Chronicles of Merong Mahawangsa’ is an action-packed epic feature film, with mythical characters, magical moments and dazzling visual-effects sequences. Merong Mahawangsa was a descendant of Alexander the Great, a renowned naval captain and traveler who came to Asia several hundred years ago.

The year is 120 AD… a time when the Roman Empire is at the height of its power, during the reign of Hadrian – one of the Five Good Emperors. Meanwhile in China, the Han Dynasty is firmly cemented as the ruling empire and is expanding into Central Asia… one hundred years before the period of the Three Kingdoms. As the Roman fleet did their repairs and traded in Goa, they asked Merong Mahawangsa to escort a Roman prince to Southeast Asia, to wed a beautiful Chinese princess from the Han Dynasty. The Chinese princess and the Roman prince are supposed to meet halfway and be married on neutral grounds.

However, the pirate nation of Geruda had other plans. They decided to kidnap the Chinese princess and use her as ransom. En route to the Straits of Melaka, Merong Mahawangsa’s fleet was attacked by Geruda’s forces while stopping at a small island to replenish supplies.

Will Merong Mahawangsa be able to rescue the Princess and re-unite her with her betrothed in a marriage that is set to bring together two great civilizations from the East and West ?

The Summary of the movie was taken from HERE.

However, there are some critics towards this film. Of course, not all things will be considered good for everyone and different people have different opinions. Some comments that should be highlighted:

• How can Merong is the one who really fluent in using English although he was living in his ship and sailing from place to another place ?
• Why Embok was not properly dressed ? because it was known that the Malays at that time preserved the dress code of young woman.
• Why should most of the Malay stories always used black magic as an issue to be disunited?
• It should be nice if this movie emphasize some Islamic teaching that practiced by previous generations, and tell about the coming of Islam to the Malay land.
• Additional comment from my student: Why not Ying Ying and her inang not speak using Chinese language? It is better if they speak Chinese rather than speak English to show the variety of languages in this film. And the Chinese General supposedly to speak Malay with Merong because he stayed in Malay land for a long time. Language also plays a very important role...

I rather not to say too much, but I have my own view even though I said that it is a good film. So, watch it and evaluate it by yourself.. :)

I end this entry with a favourite poem of Merong:

Sampai masa tibanya waktu..
Redup hati kaum berdua..
Bila dua jasad bersatu..
Hidup mati jadi bersama..