After the success of their earlier documentary GRASS (1925) about tribesman in Iran (then Persia), filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack went to Northeastern Thailand (then Siam) to photograph the trials and tribulations of a Laotian farmer, his family and his village. This film marks the duo’s transition from straight documentary (GRASS) toward fanciful Hollywood action-adventure (KING KONG). CHANG has elements of both.
There are some staged sequences including a spectacular elephant stampede that destroys a village (destined to be used as stock footage in countless jungle pictures to come) but the majority of the footage shows life in remote Thailand as it was in 1926. While the people and animals are a realistic snapshot of a faraway world that no longer exists, the “humorous” title cards involving animals are definitely a product of pure Hollywood
Unfortunately there is one aspect of CHANG that is very much with us today and that is the killing of jungle animals. While several animals are killed in the film (including prey like goats and water buffalo) there is generally a safety angle involved not like today where animals are slaughtered wholesale for what they possess (elephants, rhinos) or for mere sport (Cecil the Lion).
To many people in a 21st century audience any killing of animals is seen as horrific no matter what the reason and no argument will sway them. Because of that CHANG will not be to everyone’s liking but it remains a remarkable achievement for the hardships that its native cast and American crew endured and anyone interested in historical documentaries should view it. It may look like exploitation today but it was exploration back then and should be seen as such.
The Capsule Critic 