An idealistic Dutch colonial officer posted to Indonesia in the nineteenth century is convinced that he can make the kinds of changes that will actually help the local people of whom he is in charge.

An idealistic Dutch colonial officer posted to Indonesia in the nineteenth century is convinced that he can make the kinds of changes that will actually help the local people of whom he is in charge, but circumstances soon make him realize just how out of touch he really is, and it doesn't take long for things to go from bad to worse.—[email protected]

Just after assistant resident (Colonial District Chief) Slotering of Lebak (Joop Admiraal), on Java, reproaches his dinner host, the regent (native feudal ruler) to over-exert the local commoners, he dies of poisoning. The post goes to naive idealist Max Havelaar (Peter Faber), who means his oath of officer to protect the locals. He hopes that paying the native officials better, even advances at his own expense, will allow them to fulfill their family obligations. After Max finds the abuses continue, even worse now than he imagined, a test of force starts, which ruins many lives, mainly but not only native. Interwoven is the story of Saïdjah's (Harry Lantho's) farming family and their water buffaloes.—KGF Vissers