VIDEO: Petronas Merdeka 2014 – A Walk Through Time

We’ve come a long way since independence, and sometimes it’s easy to forget how the journey was made since those humble beginnings 57 years ago. To celebrate the passage that is nearly six decades of our country’s existence, Petronas has come up with A Walk Through Time for Merdeka and Malaysia Day 2014.

The three-and-a half-minute webfilm, capturing the spirit and gestalt shown by the late Yasmin Ahmad in previous outings, relives our nation’s history, viewed through a series of significant milestones.

Merdeka, the formation of Malaysia and the historic 1992 Thomas Cup win are just some of the key moments captured in the compelling shorty, produced by Leo Burnett Malaysia and crafted by film company Reservoir Production.

Petronas Merdeka 2014 lead

Plenty of nostalgia on show, from the (in)famous two-decade-long KL Mini Bus service and the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s iconic Laksamana Do Re Mi from 1972 to a time when rickshaws were routine daily transportation and bell bottoms a norm. A Petronas station from the 80s is also depicted.

A high level of care and attention to detail is evident throughout, most impressively showcased by the props, from the Ruby Theatre in Ipoh (now housing a furniture store, but which had its exterior restored to its former glory for the film) to items such as an Everyday milk tin and an immaculate Broadcast Relay Service Rediffusion television.

Accuracy happens in the background as well – for example, even if it’s not visible in the film itelf, the tear-off calendar on the wall in the scene that depicts Monday, September 16, 1963 (Malaysia Day) actually reflects the date.

petronas merdeka 4

Vehicles from the eras are also featured – the first Proton Saga, Mark I Mini, MG TF and Morris Minor are among the metal to be seen (the Ford Escort Mk II propped in the Ruby frameset didn’t actually come into production until 1974, but let’s not split hairs about this, seeing as the two-door example chosen is representative of the decade).

Kuala Lumpur’s modern skyline is also represented, with the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower and the Rapid Rail LRT system featured. The neat touch is that the two protagonists never age, despite travelling through the six decades of the country’s transformation, which encapsulates the film’s tagline of “Reflect on yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow” rather nicely.

But enough of that now. Enjoy the video (and once you’re done, catch the The Making Of), and we at paultan.org would like to wish all Malaysians Selamat Hari Merdeka! May we always remember who we are, where we came from and how we got here.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Excellent! Remind me of my young days.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1
  • this ad did a better job at portraying malaysia’s history than suhaimi baba’s tanda putera

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 6
    • Sohaimi Baba on Aug 30, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Tanda Putera is a effin FLOP FFS. This trash of a movie is so bad that the govt is giving out free passes to the public just to fill up the empty in the cinema. The govt should replace the capital punishment gantung sampai mati by tying criminals to a chair and watch this trash rerun for 24 hours straight. That’s what you call a slow death.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 2
  • good ad by petronas.

    btw, just to highlight :
    “The neat touch is that the two protagonists never age, despite travelling through six centuries of the country’s transformation..”

    its actually six decades.. unless you want to start from malacca sultanate time haha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
    • Anthony Lim (Member) on Aug 30, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      Oops! Too much nostalgia, got carried away there. :) Corrected, much obliged for the spot.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • frenzyaustin on Aug 30, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    Petronas should start investing in film making industry.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
  • Penipuuuuu…. Petronas owes it’s clients umbrella.

    Not only that, if other petrol companies in Malaysia want to offer better gifts (rebate, lucky draw, etc) than Petronas, they will not be allowed or restricted by Petronas.

    Shame on you Petronas!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 35
  • Should release thr Proton Iriz tomorrow in conjunction with Merdeka.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • normal_user on Aug 30, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    Indeed very nostalgic & warm heart feeling. Its quite some time since the late Yasmin Ahmad that we were presented with such memorable TV ad.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Oooohhhhh that Saga

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • If my memory serves me correctly, television did not arrive into our country until 1966 or 1967. So, I don’t understand about the scene when the two kids peeped at the adults sitting upstairs of the shop in front of a TV. (But the fan was from the right era.)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • leonardo on Sep 02, 2014 at 9:28 am

      Correct. I was wondering about that too. Television was not yet available in 1957. I guess they added it to show PM’s declaration of Independance.
      But overall the attention to details was very good, in terms of fashion, hairstyle, vehicles, products, colours, etc. Well done Petronas.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • krs189 on Aug 31, 2014 at 12:03 am

    I think if you really want to be critical.

    1. Should have use more ‘Jawi” Spelling. because at that time roman letter are not extensively used yet.
    2. and the Roman spelling of Merdeka, I think that time is Merdheka.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Borhan Linggam on Aug 31, 2014 at 6:16 am

    Malaysian television broadcasting was introduced on 28 December 1963. Color television was introduced on 28 December 1978

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • jinggo on Aug 31, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    banyak plak komen..
    nak perfect buat la sendiri iklan merdeka korang..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • True Malaysian on Sep 01, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Where is the indian ? just only that short section ? not a real Malaysian ads , bleh ……

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • starbuck on Sep 01, 2014 at 11:13 am

    this yr theme..we are family!!!
    different outside but in our heart we are the same…happy merdeka day everyone!!!!
    let’s share our cinta to malaysia here..ok??
    http://www.mycinta.com.my/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • fordton on Sep 02, 2014 at 9:34 am

    And that Mercedes Benz 0319 Micrrobus at 1.36 used to be my Bas Sekolah.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nostalgia on Sep 05, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    Thomas Cup ’92 final was at night, not during daytime as depicted. Remembered that moment like it was yesterday…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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