Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)

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.

Director:

Prachya Pinkaew

Writers:

Panna Rittikrai (story), Prachya Pinkaew (story)

Stars:

Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Jaa	...	Ting
Petchtai Wongkamlao	...	Humlae / George (as Mum Jokemok)
Pumwaree Yodkamol	...	Muay Lek
Suchao Pongwilai	...	Komtuan (as Suchoa Pongvilai)
Chatthapong Phantana-Angkul	...	Saming (as Chatthapong Pantanaunkul)
Wannakit Sirioput	...	Don (as Wannakit Siriput)
Cheathavuth Watcharakhun	...	Peng (as Chetwut Wacharakun)
Rungrawee Barijindakul	...	Ngek (as Rungrawee Borrijindakul)
Pornpimol Chookanthong	...	Mae Waan
Chumphorn Thepphithak	...	Uncle Mao (as Chumporn Teppitak)
Sukanya Kongkawong	...	Waitress
Boonsri Yindee	...	Yai Hom (as Bunsri Yindee)
Woranard Tantipidok	...	Pra Cru
Sawang Rodnuch	...	Noi
Sutin Rodnuch	...	Jamnean

Storyline

Booting lives in a small and peaceful village. One day a sacred Buddha statuette called Ong Bak is stolen from the village by an immoral businessman. It soon becomes the task of a voluntary young man, Boonting (Phanom Yeeram), to track down the thief in Bangkok and reclaim the religious treasure. Along the way, Boonting uses his astonishing athleticism and traditional Muay Thai skills to combat his adversaries.

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Plot Keywords:

antique smuggling | martial arts | combat | head | muay thai | 

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Taglines:

A new breed of martial arts hero is born

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Europa Corp. [France] Official site [Australia]

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai English

Release Date:

11 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Daredevil

Filming Locations:

Rat Burana, Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,334,869, 13 February 2005

Gross USA:

$4,563,167

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,112,926

Company Credits

Production Co:

Baa-Ram-Ewe, Sahamongkolfilm Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 104 min (director's cut) 100 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Production of the film was halted for a month when Tony Jaa injured his ankle.

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Goofs

In the cave near the end of the film, Saming is no longer using the electronic voice box that he had to use to speak with throughout the rest of the movie

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Quotes

Muay Lek: I have an exam tomorrow.
Humlae: An exam? You never go to college. Are you screwing the teacher?

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Alternate Versions

The UK Cinema version and Premier Asia DVD version feature a brand new orchestral soundtrack composed especially for the UK release.

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Connections

Referenced in Show of the Week: Sleeping Dogs (2012)

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Soundtracks

Bangkok Running
Written by Excellence and Vincent Tulli
Performed by Excellence

User Reviews

Brutally Beautiful

The storyline is predictable, but the visual and the fights makes up for it. I understand why people compare the lead actor with Jet Li. They both have that presence on screen, the amazing flexibility and fighting sequences. Outstanding acrobatic movements when running from the bad guys in the street and it was good to see the shots from different angles.

It reminds me of some Jet Li's better fighting sequences before he took to the wires. This is the kind of martial arts film that makes me smile and cheer.

If you like martial arts films, then you'll sure to like this.