Malaysian Classics (13): Musang Berjanggut (1959)

Musang Berjanggut (The Bearded Fox) is 1959 Malaysian period romantic drama-comedy film directed by and starring P. Ramlee. The story is in the style of a traditional Malay folktale, featuring supernatural elements and a story with an underlying moral. The plot follows the adventures of a prince named Tun Nila who sets out to find a woman who will marry him, and what happens when he finds her at last.
Story and Plot Point
Tun Nila Utama, the adopted prince in the kingdom Pura Cendana, is told by the King that it is time for him to choose a bride. However, Tun Nila refuses to marry any of the women in the kingdom, claiming that they not true "females" because they have no honour. The King is angered by his claim and orders him to find a true woman, if such a person exists. Tun Nila accepts the command and swears that he will not return to Pura Chendana or shave any hair on his face until he finds her.
Tun Nila sets up the test he will use to find a true woman. The test consists of a bag which contains a mix of rice, salt, chilli, onions, garlic and spices. A real woman would be able to cook the items in the bag, and he will marry the woman who does.
Tun Nila travels the across country, seeking shelter in any house that will welcome him. If there is a woman of marrying age in the house, he would ask her cook the items in the book. All the young women, upon seeing the mixed contents of the bag, decide that the task is impossible or that Tun Nila is insane, and all return the bag and its contents to him untouched. Tun Nila eventually grows a thick beard as woman after woman is unable to cook the items in his bag.
Tun Nila eventually meets Puspawangi, a friendly young woman calls him "Tok Janggut" ("Bearded Man"). Tun Nila asks to meet her parents and she agrees to lead him back to her village. As Tun Nila follows her, he discovers Puspawangi's unusual intelligence. When they reach the house, Puspawangi's father welcome Tun Nila to their home. As with all the previous homes he has visited, Tun Nila gives them the bag and requests that they cook the items in it.
In the kitchen Puspawangi and her mother look into the bag, and though Puspawangi's mother quickly says that Tun Nila's request is impossible, Puspawangi stops her and says that this isn't the request of a mad man, but of an intelligent man. She pours the items into a large tray and carefully sifts through the mix. Eventually she separates all the items into individual piles and is able to cook it.
That night Puspawangi presents the food to the whole family to eat. Puspawangi's father is surprised by the unusual dishes and asks where all the spices came from, and Puspawangi says that it all came from Tun Nila's bag. Tun Nila is happily impressed. The next morning Puspawangi is amazed to see that Tun Nila has shaved his beard, revealing a handsome face. Tun Nila explains to Puspawangi's father the truth behind his search and asks for Puspawangi's hand in marriage.
When Tun Nila returns to the royal palace with Puspawangi, his parents are overjoyed that he has found his bride. However, all of the senior-ranking ministers are enchanted by Puspawangi's beauty and individually plot to get rid of Tun Nila so to have Puspawangi to themselves.
The King pretends to fall ill and consults his ministers for advice. His ministers claim to dream that only the mystical Bearded Fox can cure his illness. However the Bearded Fox is afraid of women, therefore, Tun Nila is not allowed to bring Puspawangi along. Puspawangi tells Tun Nila to wait somewhere until she sends someone to inform him to come home. During Tun Nila's absence, the King and Ministers come to visit Puspawangi at night. Then, they run off as they think a ghost is haunting Tun Nila's house. It turns out that Tun Nila is in disguise. The next day, Tun Nila and Puspawangi send the Bearded Fox to the palace.When the King opens the locked chest, it turns out that the Bearded Fox is actually one of the ministers.
Cast
P. Ramlee as Tun Nila Utama, aka Raja Muda Pura Cendana
Saadiah as Puspawangi
Ahmad Nisfu as Raja Alam Syahbana
Udo Omar as Datuk Bendahara
Malik Sutan Muda as Datuk Bentara Mangku Bumi
Nyong Ismail as Datuk Pujangga
Mustarjo as Datuk Nikah Kahwin
Shariff Dol as Megat Alang
Songs
Pura Chendana
Wahai Nenek/Cucu-Cucu
Mari Kita Ke Ladang