Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Mario Maurer | ... | Monk | |
Petchtai Wongkamlao | ... | Woodcutter (as Phettai Wongkamlao) | |
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Pongpat Wachirabunjong | ... | Undertaker (as Phongpat Wachirabanjhong) |
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Ananda Everingham | ... | Warlord (as Ananda Mathew Everingham) |
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Laila Boonyasak | ... | Warlord's Wife (as Chermarn Boonyasak) |
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Dom Hetrakul | ... | Bandit |
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Sakarat Lerkthamrong | ... | Prince of Pha-Mueang City |
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Phongsiree Bunluewong | ... | Police Inspector |
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Ratklao Amaratisha | ... | Medium |
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Daraneenute Bhothipiti | ... | Warlord Wife's Mother |
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Charttayodom Hiranyasthiti | ... | Abbot |
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Thanya Wachirabunjong | ... | Warlord's Mother (as Thanya Sophon) |
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Chaiyapol J. Poupart | ... | Anand |
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Voravudh Niyomsub | ... | Monk's Father |
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Chudapha Chantakett | ... | Monk's Mother |
In this adaptation of the Japanese film Rashomon, a young monk leaves town to seek his father's counsel after being disturbed by the murder trial testimony of the bandit Singh Khan, the wife of the deceased warlord, and a shaman who conjures up the warlord's spirit. Along the way, he encounters a poor man who testified at the trial, and the two take refuge in an abandoned burial tunnel during a storm. They are met by an old beggar who joins in their lively conversation about the trial. In vivid detail, each story is witnessed on screen as it's told from the bandit's, the wife's and the warlord's perspectives, all riddled with bias and personal agenda. In the end, the young monk is left to determine what meaning is of true consequence not only in this murder trial, but in choosing to continue on his monastic path.
At the Gate of the Ghost is basically a remake of Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon. A warlord is found dead in the forest, killed by a sword. A monk, a woodcutter and a common criminal are in a cave during a storm, and they discuss the crime with four completely different versions of the same event. The first is told from the perspective of the accused killer; the second by the warlord's wife; the third by a shaman channeling the ghost of the victim; and lastly; from the woodcutter. All four are radically at odds with the others, and so by the end the viewer must decide what the truth is. It is somewhat interesting, with sub par acting all around, but colorful scenery and a beautiful lead actress, Laila Boonyasak. My advice is to find the DVD of Rashomon instead.