Malaya

Released Dec 27, 1949

1h 38m

War

List

Reviews

43%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, cynical former newspaper correspondent John Royer (James Stewart) devises a scheme with his old editor and government agents to return to the Far East and smuggle out a vast amount of rubber for the war effort. Demanding the freedom and company of his ex-friend, Carnahan (Spencer Tracy), whom he betrayed in an exposé years earlier, Royer sails off into the hands of the Japanese with a motley crew, gold and the promise of covert government aid.

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

Overall, “Malaya” is a highly entertaining adventure tale set during the early days of America’s entry into World War II.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 1, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Unsatisfying pulp-fiction adventurous flag-waver melodrama from WW2.

Rated: C+

Nov 7, 2013

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B+

Oct 16, 2012

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Steve D

Intense thriller with strong characters.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Frank Fenton makes interesting script structure choices. The story's based on real accounts to steal rubber to assist the war effort. Excellent cast keeps the excessive talky parts interesting, George Folsey's cinematography is crisp and director Richard Thorpe does nice work on the action scenes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty standard WWII adventure tale set in the Pacific theater, but the excellent cast makes this one rise above it's poor source material. How could you not enjoy Spencer Tracy and James Stewart on screen together, not to mention Sydney Greenstreet.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A minor film in all the actors filmography but still an enjoyable adventure that is made better by their involvement. This was Sydney Greenstreet's last film and his role is a fitting one, neither hero nor villain but filled with chances for him to imbibe it with his customary humor and sly wit, he even gets the final shot in the film which adds a nice touch as a capper to his career.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

based on a true story

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

good A picture with all star cast

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Richard Thorpe

Director

Spencer Tracy

Carnahan

James Stewart

John Royer

Sydney Greenstreet

The Dutchman

Valentina Cortese

Luana

John Hodiak

Kellar

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Synopsis

Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, cynical former newspaper correspondent John Royer (James Stewart) devises a scheme with his old editor and government agents to return to the Far East and smuggle out a vast amount of rubber for the war effort. Demanding the freedom and company of his ex-friend, Carnahan (Spencer Tracy), whom he betrayed in an exposé years earlier, Royer sails off into the hands of the Japanese with a motley crew, gold and the promise of covert government aid.

Director: Richard Thorpe
Screenwriter: Frank Fenton
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 27, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 38m

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