Year : 2003 Director : Prachya Pinkaew Starring : Panom Yeerum, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Mum Jokmok Genre : Action / Martial arts
A sacred Buddha statuette called Ong Bak is stolen from a rural village and it soon becomes the task of a young man, Boonting (Phanom Yeeram), to track the thief down to Bangkok and reclaim the religious treasure. Along the way, Boonting must use his astounding athleticism and traditional Muay Thai skills to combat his adversaries.
I think that this is one of the best Thai movies ever and much better than the average Hollywood cr*p. I think that the one that I have is in Thai and on VCD, but with all the actions it doesn't really matter. Recommended.
Posts: 102 | Location: Leeds | Registered: 16 April 2003
Have just come back from seeing it at UGC Sheffield. Great film. The action sequences are very well scripted and the locations are good (even though there is no BKK traffic in sight! )
If you understand Thai, you'll laugh at the language they use. It really is priceless!
Well recommended.
Packpao
Posts: 1644 | Location: London (SW) / KhonKaen | Registered: 02 August 2004
A great martial arts film, enhanced by the knowledge that what you are watching (fight wise at least) is really happening - none of this CGI business here ! The only thing I didn't like was that on several occaisions a particular stunt is repeatedly shown from several different angles (an idea introduced by Jackie Chan I think) which actually lessens the impact (IMHO) and damages the momentum of the scenes.
The only version I've seen so far is a Thai language VCD copy without subtitles but Orasa was on hand to explain what was happening and who was who (Black Penis )
Ong Bak is released in the UK today (19 Sep). I pre-ordered a copy from Amazon at £11.99 which is being shipped today.
I also saw Ong Bak for sale today in W.H Smiths and Blockbusters for £15.99, and the DVD is already in both their top 20 video charts - maybe a first for a Thai made film. The UK release has an improved soundtrack and subtitles.
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. - Anais Nin
Posts: 1784 | Location: Kent | Registered: 19 September 2002
Saw it at the cinema in Stevenage when it first came out, the girl selling the tickets said "it is in a foriegn language, Chinese I think, is that OK?"
We loved the movie, best I've seen in ages, Lek was over the moon being set in Issan in parts. We have got the Thai version but will be getting the subtitled version.
Top movie
Duncan
Posts: 190 | Location: Stevenage & Ban Dong Yang, Udon Thani | Registered: 05 November 2004
i bought myself a copy for 80bht in nang rong, good film, loved it, have quiet a lot of thai movies now,
bought a right old film about a flood in issan, the dowry paid to one family for there daughter was about 3bht, i offered her family this whilst watching the movie!!! that was 50 years ago that was!!!!
Posts: 1383 | Location: Kent | Registered: 16 August 2005
We watched Ong Bak tonight. Lots of action fight scenes, with a little bit of comedy and the obligatory Tuk Tuk chase thrown in for good measure, plus a James Bond style bad guy with Stephen Hawking style voice box. A required addition for any Thai DVD collection.
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. - Anais Nin
Posts: 1784 | Location: Kent | Registered: 19 September 2002
Yes, I loved the first half of the film. That chase through the bangkok streets was brilliant and the old woman appearing selling knives had me in stitches!
I loved the story, the tuk-tuk chases and the comedy. But by the time they got to the caves I felt it was a bit long and really a bit boring. BUT....I'm not really a martial arts fan so probably couldn't really appreciate it like I should.
All in all though, top movie.
Marcus
Posts: 1919 | Location: Bangkok | Registered: 18 September 2002
Originally posted by upcountry: bought a right old film about a flood in issan, the dowry paid to one family for there daughter was about 3bht, i offered her family this whilst watching the movie!!! that was 50 years ago that was!!!!
Perhaps it was this movie - worth a look if you want some insight into the Issan life style of two or three generations ago. Just don't expect good picture quality or readable sub-titles (or much of a plot to be honest).
Just looking through the new edition of Sky magazine this morning and they will be showing Ong-Bak at 10pm on Aug 30th Sky Cinema 1. Before it at 8pm is House of Flying Daggers which is a great film and stars the absolutely stunning Ziyi Zhang.
Mark ควาย
Posts: 5254 | Location: Behind the drum kit | Registered: 02 February 2003
Originally posted by Mark W: Just looking through the new edition of Sky magazine this morning and they will be showing Ong-Bak at 10pm on Aug 30th Sky Cinema 1. Before it at 8pm is House of Flying Daggers which is a great film and stars the absolutely stunning Ziyi Zhang.
For those that missed it, Sky Cinema 2 is showing Ong-Bak again tonight (31/8) at 11pm.
i paid £5 for it in a record shop in newcastle under lyme.i was not expecting to enjoy it,my wife was so excited we watched it in thai with english subtitles,admittedly im not a "chop chop charlie" fan and towards the end had had enough,but overall i can recommend to anyone.most importantly the wife loved it!!!!!
)
I'll set the video tonight just after the first in the new series of the Sopranos. 
