Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup (The Devouring Rock, 1959) with English subtitles (Part 1)

  • 3 years ago
Part 2: https://dai.ly/x7zgvet
Directed by Jamil Sulong
Written by Jamil Sulong & Omar Rojik (screenplay adapted from folklore and bangsawan play as suggested by S. Kadarisman & P. Ramlee)
Music by Osman Ahmad and P. Ramlee, with lyrics by S. Sudarmadji
Produced by Malay Film Productions (Shaw Brothers)
In Malay
Cast: Aziz Jaafar, Zaiton, Neng Yatimah, S. Kadarisman, Haji Mahadi, Bat Latiff, Hasnan Hassan

Adapted from folklore and bangsawan play, 'Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup' tells the fantastical story of Mak Minah surrendering herself to a human-devouring rock after being bitterly irritated by her children’s ingratitude towards her. Mak Minah (Neng Yatimah) craves, often to the point of desperation, for the roe of the ikan tembakul (giant mudskipper). To satisfy her craving, her husband goes to the mangrove river to fish for the rare ikan tembakul, and dies during a dangerous fishing trip to the swamps on a stormy night. To support the family, Mak Minah harvests nipah leaves at the nipah/attap palm plantation and make roof parts (thatch) out of them. Without her husband, Mak Minah also tries her hand at fishing for the desired ikan tembakul. Once, she is fortunate enough to catch one with the roe, but her daughter, under strict instructions from the mother to leave some for her, fails to stop her younger brother from eating all of the roe. Disappointed with her children, she dreams of ghostly hands beckoning her to go to a demonic rock. Seemingly possessed, she makes her way there and surrenders herself, walking into the mouth of the devouring rock. The rock shuts itself tight, and her children become wandering orphans…

Singapore Film Locations Archive:
https://sgfilmlocations.com/2015/02/03/batu-belah-batu-bertangkup-the-devouring-rock-1959/

A Singapore Filmography / Filemografi Singapura (1950s/1950-an):
https://sgfilmlocations.com/1950-1959/​

Films of Singapore & Malaya Regularly:
https://t.me/sgfilmdaily