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General Nagabonar was one of Indonesia's legendary films that were successful in 1987 and won the best film of its time. Actually the film is based on the true story of General-Major [It's not as usual grade] Timur Pane, a revolutionary of Indonesia's independence from the province of North Sumatra. The uniqueness of General Major Timur Pane is the background of a pickpocket during the Japanese occupation in Indonesia and is often in and out of prison. When the second Dutch aggression after independence he too was left alone for his North Sumatra province and was at the forefront to resist the Dutch occupation.
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The Naga Bonar (Deddy Mizwar) movie is a 1987 sitcom comedy from Indonesia that sets the scene of the Indonesian war of independence when it is against the arrival of post-independence Indonesian Royal Dutch troops in the North Sumatra region.
The creator of Naga Bonar, Asrul Sani once mentioned, the figure of Naga Bonar was inspired by one of the fighters in North Sumatra who fought during the revolution (1946-1949). Who exactly is this white horse general? It is still a puzzle until now. Even so many parties who say this film is inspired by the figure of General Major Timur Pane.
The film begins by telling a pickpocket in Medan city who often goes in and out of Japanese prisons, he befriends a young man named Bujang (Afrizal Anoda). After returning from prison, Bang Pohan (Piet Pagau) said about the proclamation of Indonesian independence which had been proclaimed in Jakarta, and in Medan which had not yet been freed had to fight the Dutch who had entered Indonesian territory with the intent to reign again.
Pickpockets become generals? Nagabonar, the former pickpocket became a general, How is it possible, when he graduated from the military academy, or how long has he been a soldier to dare him to be a general. The era of revolution is a period of chaos. That is clearly depicted in this film, in that era anything can happen.
In fact Nagabonar who is a pickpocket can also be asked to become a general. Nagabonar is a General who was appointed by the chaos of the revolutionary period. Nagabonar becomes an interesting inspiring story. Such a hilarious historical romance and gives us an idea of how chaotic a country where a new country must be born in this chaos. Nagabonar was also one of the perpetrators of the chaotic era.
Naga Bonar became a frontline soldier in resistance against the Dutch. After some fierce resistance, Naga Bonar was ordered from headquarters to resign because negotiations with the Dutch were to be held. The transfer of troops from the village to headquarters became when Naga Bonar interested in Doctor Zulbi's son, Kirana (Nurul Arifin). Kirana's characterization becomes one of the counterbalances to this film's storyline, not only from the war side, the figure of Naga bonar is also depicted humanly who has a desire to love a girl he adores.
During the Dutch negotiations with Indonesia, Naga Bonar who was the representative of Indonesia actually appointed the Buntar Trench as the site of its army (because Naga Bonar could not read maps). The army clerk, Lukman, said that the Buntar Trench was a place already occupied by the Dutch. And this only happened at that time, Naga bonar populist, he could not read and write. Even so because of his character he has many loyal followers. In addition to silliness and things that make you laugh, this film seems to reveal the gloomy post-independence era filled with chaos.
Naga Bonar began to approach Kirana with satisfying results and married her as a wife. The day after that, Bujang took the Naga Bonar general's shirt and went to the Buntar Trench to fight the Dutch, unlucky, he was killed. The human side of Naga bonar is clearly depicted here, even though he is a silly general, he was devastated by the departure of his best friend.
Next along with Kirana, and his army Naga went to the Buntar Trench to destroy the Dutch headquarters and succeeded. The film ends with Naga Bonar and Kirana's speech to Indonesian youth. The figure of Timur Pane who inspired the film Nagabonar was recorded in the biography of Aboebakar Loebis. Aboebakar was a representative of the central government to monitor and stabilize the revolutionary upheaval in North Sumatra after independence.
In the book it is mentioned, Aboebakar mentions a warrior who appoints himself as a general. He has many loyal troops. After the revolution ended with the departure of the Dutch from the Batak Land, the name Timur Pane and his legions were never heard from in the revolutionary history of Indonesia. Answering your curiosity about this film, here is the scene for Nagabonar movie when Bujang his friends died:
