Lord Jim (1965) Guilt-ridden ship's officer seeks his fortune in the warlord-ruled interior of Asia. From the Joseph Conrad novel.

Anna and the King (1999) David Edgington comments: "Definitely not the Yul Brynner version. Lots of scenes of the bustling Bangkok harbor, street scenes, small units of the Siamese army in action, lots of elephants and howdahs, and of course the palace and the royal hangerson are there in 'more-than-oriental splendor."'

The Real Glory (1936) Action in the Phillippines, as the Moros try to lure US troops into a jungle ambush. Gary Cooper's noble doctor seems a bit modern for 1902, but the film is solid and appealing, with a good final assault on the town. However, the Maj. General wishes to declare a moratorium on cinematic threats to sew prisoners into pigskins.

Patrick Wilson comments: "U.S. Army doctor and other officers teach the Philippine Constabulary to defend themselves against the nastiest Moro datu this side of Darth Vader. Plenty of rousing action with Krags, Gatlings, campilans and barongs in abundance."

Krakatoa, East of Java (1968) Not in the MajorGeneral's atlas, it isn't. Salvage operation with balloon and diving chamber braves the 1883 volcanic eruption. Unbelievably poor writing and pacing, many cheap dramatic tricks, but nifty steamer and gadgets, great engine-room shots, one or two exciting action sequences, and Technicolor. Wish I'd seen it in the original Cinerama.

Cavalry Command (1963) Jefhy Scott Jones comments: "US cavalry tries to win the hearts and minds of Filipino villagers in 1902. No large actions, but skirmishes with Igorot tribesmen and insurrecto commanders. Mainly worth seeing for the authentic Filipino locations, costumes, and customs. Parallels to advisor-era Vietnam seem inescapable."

Fighting Devil Dogs "A '30s serial which splices in newsreel footage of US Marines manning barricades during various crises in China. Action sequences also involve marines vs. Filipino-style natives, warlord armies and a Darth Vader precursor with a giant flying-wing aircraft." 

The Sand Pebbles (1966) Long, gritty tale, with an authentic feel, of an American gunboat trapped in China during an outbreak of Chinese xenophobia.

55 Days at Peking (1963) Elaborately-mounted story of the siege of the foreign legations during the Boxer Rebellion. Lots of detail for modelers.

High Road to China (1983) Okay, okay, Tom Selleck poses on the poster with a Lewis gun and ammunition belts (dohl) draped over his manly shoulders, and everyone in the remote native villages seems to speak English, and what was the operational range of a Tiger Moth anyway? Still this story of a cynical pilot hired to help an adventurous heiress find her father in central Asia is great fun. And the defense of the fortified town against the bandit warlord is terrific.

Shanghai Express (1932) Marlene Dietrich vamps it up on a slow train through bandit-infested China. Good street scene as the train crawls through a packed city, and a potent reminder to be sure you know exactly who it is you're being rude to. "It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily" --Lily in Shanghai Express

China Seas (1935) Tough/tender sea-captain faces Malay pirates in the '30s. Best feature: the steamroller loose on deck in the typhoon; didn't they set the brakes? Worst: a psychopathically obnoxious Jean Harlow as the old girlfriend.

They Met in Bombay (1941) Impersonating a British officer in Hong Kong, jewel-thief Clark Gable suddenly finds himself leading troops against the Japanese. Slow at first, but ends with some decent action. Beautiful Chinese walled town, great lorries, and Tommies firing Lewis guns.

Soldier of Fortune (1955) Shady Hong Kong merchant sails his armed junk to rescue a journalist in Canton. Well out of the colonial period (1950s in fact), but colorful locations and details make the film worthwhile - especially the marvelous and useful junk and sampan sequences. Not an epic story, but enjoyable and very watchable.

The Movies! Hollywood's Take on Colonialism

India
China and the Far East
Northern and Central Africa
Southern Africa