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 | buddha | combat | head | 

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Taglines:

No stunt doubles, no computer images, no strings attached

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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:

$20,235,426

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

Prior to the film's release in the western world, action hero Steven Seagal was so impressed by it that he planned to release the film through his production company with newly-shot scenes featuring himself as the teacher of Tony Jaa's character.

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Goofs

When Tony Jaa executes one kick to knock out his first tournament fighter, he is clearly in a left fighting stance; yet, without changing his stance, he kicks from a right fighting stance.

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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

Two cuts were released in Hong Kong. The theatrical release was identical to the Thai cut except the now infamous "bone-breaking" shots were both cut to receive a "Category II B" rating. This cut of the film is also used for the EDKO Hong Kong VCD. However, the original uncut version, with both the arm and leg breaking shots, was given a DVD release in Hong Kong, but received a "Category III" rating.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Outrageous Parkour Movie Scenes (2015)

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Soundtracks

Chinese 2
Performed by Aymeric Beguin and Eric Melville

User Reviews

Tony Jaa is good but........

Ong-Bak was a great beat-em-up flick, probably the most realistic-looking fighting sequences I've ever seen. And the fact that there are no special effects involved earn this movie and Tony Jaa more respect from me. Tony Jaa is definitely more acrobatic than Jackie, but if you look back at some of Jackie's films and then watch Ong-Bak, I don't think he's as GUTSY as Jackie but hey, he's only made 1 film so I may be wrong. And he's a good martial artist but if you really look at some of Jet Li's films and then look at Ong-Bak and pay attention to his hand to hand combat, you'll see that he's actually not as advanced or nearly as OUICK as Jet in actual martial arts skills and hand-2-hand combat. There's a difference in being the next big martial arts star and being the next Jet Li or Jackie Chan. Anyway most people are just saying that cuz he's new and can jump high and do a bunch of flips. So don't label him as the next anybody. Just say "There's Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Tony Jaa."