Max Havelaar [1976 - Netherlands] colonial epic

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 Saidjah's (Harry Lantho's) farming family and their water buffaloes.