The Sanctuary (2009)

Popularity:

Up 20% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Thanapon Maliwan

Writers:

Thanapon Maliwan (writer)
Anuwat Kaewsopark (writer)

Release Date:

June 2009 (Thailand)

Genre:

Action

Plot:

In 1897, the "Poisoned Knife" clan broke into the royal palace of Thailand to steal the Royal Antiques...

Plot Keywords:

Thai Boxing | Martial Arts

Cast

Michael B.	...	Krit
Russell Wong	...	Patrick
Inthira Charoenpura	...	Praifa (as Intira Jaroenpura)
Patharawarin Timkul	...	Selina
Erik Markus Schuetz	...	Gary
Winston Sefu	...	Mafia Wisa
Lak-Khet Waslikachart	...	Ram
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brahim Achabbakhe	...	Mafia wisa henchman
Kaecha Kampakdee	...	Mafia wisa henchman 2
Winston Omega	...	General

Directed by
Thanapon Maliwan

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Anuwat Kaewsopark		writer
Thanapon Maliwan		writer

Produced by
Chatchalai Anunarsapong	....	executive producer
Art Birzneck	....	executive producer
Thanapon Maliwan	....	producer
James Marshall	....	assistant line producer
Chokchai Ptchpunna	....	producer
Russell Wong	....	producer

Original Music by
Tuomas Kantelinen
Thai Team

Cinematography by
Arnon Chunprasert

Film Editing by
Sombat Thepkumdee

Sound Department
Lionel Montabord	....	sound re-recording mixer

Stunts
Brahim Achabbakhe	....	stunt performer
David Bueno	....	stunt double: Russell Wong
Erik Markus Schuetz	....	stunt performer

Music Department
Panu Aaltio	....	composer: additional music

Other crew
Michael B.	....	choreographer
Tawatchai Lad Loi	....	choreographer
Nut Nualpang	....	acting coach

Production Companies

• Film Frame Productions
• Pachpunna Productions
• Action Slate Films

Distributors

• Birch Tree Entertainment (2008) (worldwide) (all media)
• Action Slate Releasing (2010) (USA) (all media)
• First Look International (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• Film Frame Productions (2009) (Thailand) (theatrical)
• United Home Entertainment (2010) (Thailand) (DVD)
• EuropaCorp. Distribution (2009) (France) (all media)
• Medyavizyon (2009) (Turkey) (all media)
• Selecta Vision (2009) (Spain) (all media)
• H.G.C. Entertainment (2011) (China) (all media)
• Metrodome Distribution (2011) (UK) (all media)
• Just Bridge Entertainment (2012) (Netherlands) (all media)
• Cipta Mutu (2010) (Indonesia) (all media)
• Joyncontents Group (2011) (South Korea) (all media)
• E-Net Frontier (2010) (Japan) (all media)
• EuroVideo (2012) (Germany) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Thailand

Company:

Film Frame Productions

Trivia:

The junkyard fight is from an earlier, uncompleted Michael B. feature.

Okay low budget action - don't expect ONG BAK!

Kirk (the amusingly named Michael B.) discovers an ancient Thai vase buried under the ground at a temple he visits. What he doesn't know if that this is one of three stolen national treasures and he is quickly killed after he pawns the vase he found. His twin brother Krit (also B.) then deals with a group of mercenaries led by Patrick (Russell Wong) who are posing as geologists to locate the other two items. Once they do, Krit must stop them from taking the priceless items across the border.

A Thai action film about a guy fighting to save something stolen? No way! Michael B. (sometimes credited as Mike B.) started his career as a stunt man/punching bag for Tony Jaa in ONG BAK. This is his second feature as a lead following BRAVE (2007) and re-teams him that film's director Thanapon Maliwan. While B. does perform some impressive moves, the movies are just kind of there, sort of like low end Isaac Florentine ripoffs. The fights are plentiful in the short 80-minute running time. On the plus side, this one isn't an editing and wire-work mess like the recent RAGING PHOENIX, JeeJa Yanin's disappointing wire- work laden follow up to CHOCOLATE (2008). I would say the last 15 minutes are worth the view as B. takes on Erik Markus Schuetz (also from Jaa's features) and Russel Wong (still looking fit in his 40s).