Bangrajan (2000)

Set right before the fall of Thailand's old capital, Ayuttaya, Bang Rajan draws on the legend of a village of fighters who bravely fended off the Burmese armies.

Director:

Tanit Jitnukul

Writers:

Tanit Jitnukul, Kongkiat Khomsiri

Stars:

Jaran Ngamdee, Winai Kraibutr, Theerayut Pratyabamrung

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jaran Ngamdee	...	Nai Jan
Winai Kraibutr	...	Nai In
Theerayut Pratyabamrung	...	Luang Phor Thammachote
Bin Bunluerit	...	Nai Thongmen
Bongkoj Khongmalai	...	E Sa
Chumphorn Thepphithak	...	Nai Than
Suntharee Maila-or	...	Taeng-Onn
Phisate Sangsuwan	...	Nemeao Seehabodee
Theeranit Damrongwinijchai	...	Mangcha-ngai
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nuntapon Kamutavanit	...	Commander Jik-Kai
Surachet Lorsungnem	...	Khun San
Jarin Phomrangsai	...	Commander Arka-Punkayee
Phutharit Prombandal	...	Phan Ruang
Nirut Saosudchart	...	Nai Dok
Voraphark Sarobon	...	Commander Surin-Jaw-Khong

Storyline

Set right before the fall of Thailand's old capital, Ayuttaya, Bang Rajan draws on the legend of a village of fighters who bravely fended off the Burmese armies. With no support from the Royal army, the villagers drives the invading Burmese away many times until their names have become legendary during the time. As each subsequent battles becomes fiercer, the villagers tries to forge a canon to battle the enemy in a final battle where everyone, women and children included, die in combat.

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Plot Keywords:

throat slitting | dead child | death of a child | bravery | burmese army | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

R16

Did You Know?

Trivia

The site of the village is now a tourist attraction near the old capital of Thailand, Ayuttaya, north of Bangkok.

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Goofs

Many actors have vaccination scars on their shoulders (probably for polio), in 18th century Thailand.

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Connections

Referenced in Movie Friends - Eine Videothek stellt sich vor (2013)

User Reviews

Top-notch Thai historical war action marks a high point for the country's cinema

Regarded by many as the Thai epic that was successful enough to launch a new wave of internationally-popular movies from Thailand, BANG RAJAN is similar to Hollywood's BRAVEHEART, and just as interesting. That's impressive alone, seeing as the budget is about a thousand times lower than the Mel Gibson epic, but when you consider that the bloody battle sequences are just as good as in that and the likes of THE LAST SAMURAI, you'll realise that BANG RAJAN is a very good film indeed. The movie tells a SEVEN SAMURAI-style tale about villagers holding out against an army, and that cues two hours of bloody mayhem, heartfelt speeches, strong character building and tons of suspense. The budget is low and the camera-work sometimes choppy, but that's where the negatives end; in all other respects this is an epic movie with a high entertainment value.

I always feel that 'true story' movies – like this one – have an extra 'oomph' to their fictional counterparts, and knowing this really happened makes BANG RAJAN a really interesting film to watch. Some Western viewers have found problems with the villagers themselves, seeing as they all have the same haircuts, are all mostly naked, and all look pretty much the same. That's not too much trouble though, as the main characters are easily distinguishable, from the drunken axe-wielding guy (who reminded me of Ajax from TROY) to the moustachioed hero and the younger family man and his pregnant wife. Acting from the unknown cast is surprisingly strong, and combined with a workable script, you end up with characters you really care for – and shed a tear or two about – in the battle sequences.

The latter are varied and exciting, and easily the best parts of the movie. This film is chock-full of action and it never lets up, delivering more and more bloodshed until the exciting, climatic showdown. Thai filmmakers don't skimp on the gore either, so there are tons of bloody arrow hits, decapitations, flying limbs and people being blown to smithereens; sure, they're all shown very quickly, almost glimpses, but somehow that makes the battles seem more realistic and more hard-hitting. Sometimes the film transcends predictability and becomes inspired, like the bit where the heroes ride massively horned buffalos into battle, or when the villagers decide to make their own cannons from scrap metal. Other images, like the husband and wife on the battlefield, or the warriors emerging from the river, really stick in the mind for days to come. All in all, this is a highly rewatchable war film that offers pretty much everything for fans of the genre; even the cheapo special effects (like the digital explosions) are good enough to convince.

Details

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Release Date:

29 December 2000 (Thailand)

Also Known As:

Bang Rajan

Box Office

Budget:

$1,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,354, 8 August 2004

Gross USA:

$24,629

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,735

Company Credits

Production Co:

BEC-TERO Entertainment, Film Bangkok

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1