Ong-bak (2003)

Director:

Prachya Pinkaew

Writers:

Prachya Pinkaew (story)
Panna Rittikrai (story)
(more)

Release Date:

23 October 2003 (Singapore)

Genre:

Adventure | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

To fight for the honor of his village, he must unleash the ancient art of Muay Thai: 9 Body Weapons

Plot:

When the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it.

Plot Keywords:

Buddha | Head | Statue | Muay Thai | Thief

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Petchtai Wongkamlao	...	Humlae / Dirty Balls / George (as Petchtai Wongkamlao)
Tony Jaa	...	Ting (as Panom Yeerum)
Pumwaree Yodkamol	...	Muay Lek
Suchao Pongwilai	...	Komtuan
Chumphorn Thepphithak	...	Uncle Mao
Cheathavuth Watcharakhun	...	Peng
Wannakit Sirioput	...	Don
Rungrawee Barijindakul	...	Ngek
Chatthapong Pantanaunkul	...	Saming
Nudhapol Asavabhakhin	...	Toshiro
Pornpimol Chookanthong	...	Mae Waan
Udom Chouncheun	...	Ta Meun
Boonsri Yindee	...	Yai Hom
Arirat Ratanakaitkosol	...	Tang On
Woravit Tanochitsirikul	...	Sia Pao
Chalongsak Sirimahasan	...	Hia Lao
Sawang Rodnuch	...	Noi
Sutin Rodnuch	...	Jamnean
Woranard Tantipidok	...	Pra Cru
Somjaj Junmoonree	...	Bodyguard 1
Somchai Moonma	...	Bodyguard 2
Taworn Tonapan	...	Bodyguard 3
Dan Chupong	...	Bodyguard 4 (as Chupong Changprung)
Chaiporn Gunmoontree	...	Bodyguard 5
Don Ferguson	...	Bodyguard 6
David Ismalone	...	Mad Dog
Erik Markus Schuetz	...	Pearl Harbour (as Hans Eric)
Paul Gaius	...	Lee
Nick Kara	...	Big Bear
Sukanya Kongkawong	...	Waitress
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Panna Rittikrai	...	Villager (uncredited)

Directed by
Prachya Pinkaew

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Prachya Pinkaew		story
Panna Rittikrai		story
Suphachai Sittiaumponpan		screenplay

Produced by
Somsak Jiewsuwan	....	associate producer
Prachya Pinkaew	....	producer
Warinya Ratipakorn	....	assistant line producer
Mehdi Sayah	....	assistant producer
Somsak Techaratanaprasert	....	executive producer
Sukanya Vongsthapat	....	producer
Darin Vosbein	....	assistant line producer
Sita Vosbein	....	line producer
Luc Besson	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Richard Wells		(UK version)

Cinematography by
Nattawut Kittikhun

Film Editing by
Thanat Sunsin
Thanapat Taweesuk

Production Design by
Arkadech Kaewkotara

Art Direction by
Arkadech Kaewkotara

Costume Design by
Worathon Kritsanaklin

Makeup Department
Panya Phaopeng	....	hair stylist
Wansong Sitthiprom	....	assistant makeup artist
Yudthana Sonthi	....	makeup artist
Kamol Soponkulpan	....	assistant makeup artist
Prachya Timmukda	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Jaded Aueychimplee	....	assistant production manager
Wararit Polcharoen	....	production manager
Sukanya Suantanu	....	assistant production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sakchai Amattayakul	....	third assistant director
Chinoret Kumwandee	....	first assistant director
Kanchanaphan Meesuwan	....	fourth assistant director
Saratswadee Wongsomphet	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Wansong Sitthiprom	....	assistant art director
Kamol Soponkhunpun	....	assistant art director
Prachya Timmukda	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
Sunij Asavinikul	....	sound mixer
Sunij Asavinikul	....	sound
Thanapong Boonyachai	....	sound editor
Christophe Bourreau	....	foley artist
Somchai Chansook	....	adr recordist
Capucine Courau	....	assistant sound editor
Loïc Gourbe	....	sound recordist
Ariya Naslongkla	....	sound effects editor
Ariya Naslongkla	....	sound mixer
Angart Srirat	....	adr recordist
Vincent Tulli	....	sound re-recording mixer

Stunts
Michael B.	....	stunts (as Piroj Boongerd)
Choawalit Choanoy	....	stunts
Dan Chupong	....	stunts
Don Ferguson	....	stunts
Chaiporn Gunmoontree	....	stunts
David Ismalone	....	stunts
Somjaj Junmoonree	....	stunt manager
Somjaj Junmoonree	....	stunts
Kanaung	....	stunts (as Kanaung Keniah)
Seng Kawee	....	stunt coordinator
Rided Lardpanna	....	stunts
Erik Markus Schuetz	....	stunts: Martial Arts, Motorbikes, Choreography
Somchai Moonma	....	stunts
Suban Phusoi	....	stunt safety
Suban Phusoi	....	stunts
Weerapon Poomatfon	....	stunts
Panna Rittikrai	....	stunt coordinator
Banlu Srisaeng	....	stunt trainer
Panna Rittikrai	....	stunt driver (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Thanaporn Arkamanon	....	still photographer

Music Department
Jérôme Lateur	....	music supervisor
Vincent Lebegue	....	music legal coordinator
Elise Luguern	....	music production supervisor
Mehdi Sayah	....	assistant music supervisor
Alison Wright	....	music supervisor (UK version)

Other crew
Bob Buchholz	....	english language director
Tony Jaa	....	martial arts choreographer (as Panom Yeerum)
Panna Rittikrai	....	martial arts choreographer
Kristy Ryan	....	promotions manager: Australia

Production Companies

• Baa-Ram-Ewe
• Sahamongkolfilm Co.

Distributors

• EuropaCorp. Distribution (2004) (France) (all media)
• Golden Network (2003) (worldwide) (all media)
• 3L Filmverleih (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• 3L Filmverleih (2005) (Austria) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Communications (2005) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Bright Angel Distribution (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Ciné Libre (2004) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• GAGA Humax (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Klock Worx Company, The (Japan) (theatrical)
• Magnolia Pictures (2005) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• 01 Distribuzione (2004) (Italy) (all media)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (video)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (rental)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (retail)
• A-Films (2004) (Benelux) (DVD)
• AXN (2006) (Japan) (TV)
• Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2006) (Canada) (DVD)
• Central Partnership (2005) (CIS) (all media)
• Central Partnership (2005) (Russia) (all media)
• Cinephil (2004) (Israel) (all media)
• Contender Group (2005) (UK) (all media)
• EDKO Film (2004) (Hong Kong) (all media)
• EDKO Film (2005) (China) (all media)
• Gulf Film (2004) (Middle East) (all media)
• Gussi Artecinema (2004) (Latin America) (all media)
• Gussi Artecinema (2004) (Mexico) (all media)
• Imagem Filmes (2005) (Brazil) (DVD) (VHS)
• Lusomundo Audiovisuais (2004) (Portugal) (all media)
• Madman Entertainment (2003) (Australia) (all media)
• Manga Films (2004) (Spain) (all media)
• Media Cooperation One (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Media Suits (2004) (Japan) (all media)
• Medyavizyon (2005) (Turkey) (all media)
• New Action Entertainment Co. Ltd. (2004) (Taiwan) (all media)
• Nobel & Partners Entertainment (2004) (Norway) (all media)
• Nobel & Partners Entertainment (2004) (Scandinavia) (all media)
• Quasar Films (Argentina)
• Sahamongkolfilm Co. (2003) (Thailand) (all media)
• Shaw Renters (2003) (Singapore) (all media)
• Showbox Entertainment (2004) (Korea) (all media)
• Siam Cable Network Co. Ltd. (2003) (Cambodia) (all media)
• Sunny Films (2003) (Malaysia) (all media)

Other Companies

• Europa Corp.  co-international sales
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  publicity
• Juniper Post  ADR recording: dubbing
• Puok Pro-Cast  casting
• Ramindra Sound Recording Studios  sound post-production
• Seng Stunt Team  Tuk Tuk stunt

Also Known As:

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (Philippines: English title) (USA) (trailer title)
Daredevil (USA) (informal literal English title)
Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (Singapore: English title)
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (International: English title) (festival title)
Thai Fist (Hong Kong: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sequences of strong violence, language, some drug use and sexuality.

Runtime:

Canada:105 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Hong Kong:108 min | USA:105 min | 104 min (director's cut) | Spain:100 min (DVD edition)

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Canada:14A (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta) | New Zealand:R16 | Spain:13 | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG | South Korea:15 | Australia:MA | Austria:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB (cut) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:T | Netherlands:12 | Philippines:R-13 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | UK:18 | USA:R | Mexico:B15

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

Baa-Ram-Ewe

Trivia:

No wires or CG work were used in the fights.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Hum Lae and Ting venture into the Cave riding a motorcycle, the stand of the motorcycle is still down.

Quotes:

Humlae: At least let me help you start your motorcycle.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Le couperet (2005)

Awesome

Version: Edko's Hong Kong VCD release

In only their first movie, director Prachya Pinkaew and lead actor Tony Jaa have created a very impressive, awesome action movie in "Ong Bak". Jaa plays Ting, a muay thai fighter from a small village in Thailand. The villagers revere Ong Bak, a statue of Buddha kept in the village's temple, and believe it guarantees the safety of the village. Don, a former villager turned criminal, removes the head from the statue and takes it to Bangkok, to curry favour from the crime lord Khom Tuan. Ting follows Don to Bangkok and fights for the return of Ong Bak.

Story wise, its a pretty standard action movie - it touches briefly on serious social issues in Thailand, but only very briefly. Action wise, its a pretty awesome action movie. Tony Jaa is pretty good showing off his muay thai skills on screen as he fights a range opponents. Most of the one-on-one fights are well choreographed and quite intense. As for stunts: some of them would make even old-school Jackie Chan green with envy. Jaa and Pinkaew have hit the nail right on the head when it comes to action movies, and in only their first go!

9/10 - Hopefully I can catch it on the big screen some time.