A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

The true story of an English boxer incarcerated in one of Thailand's most notorious prisons as he fights in Muay Thai tournaments to earn his freedom.

Director:

Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

Writers:

Billy Moore (based on the memoir by), Jonathan Hirschbein (screenplay by)

Stars:

Joe Cole, Vithaya Pansringarm, Panya Yimmumphai

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Joe Cole	...	Billy Moore
Vithaya Pansringarm	...	Officer Preecha
Panya Yimmumphai	...	Keng
Pornchanok Mabklang	...	Fame
Billy Moore	...	Billy Moore's Father
Sonephet Inthisome	...	Tiffany
Nicolas Shake	...	Doctor
Rex Basbas	...	Lady Boy
Pongrapee Rodmanee	...	Trustee
Russel Galupo	...	Lady Boy
Nichakran Nabumrung	...	Gogo Girl
Siriwej Jaroenchom	...	Police Officer
Sura Sirmalai	...	Chanachol
Sakda Niamhom	...	Saiyok
Paradorn Areepak	...	Boy

Storyline

Billy Moore, an English boxer, down on his luck, addicted to Ya Ba, and stuck in Thailand, ends up getting arrested and sent to Chiang Mai Prison, where he struggles to survive and eventually ends up fighting in Muay Tai boxing tournaments.

---

Plot Keywords:

boxing | male frontal nudity | male rear nudity | bare chested male | boxer | 

---

Taglines:

The fight starts from inside

---

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Sport | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence including a brutal rape sequence, drug use and language throughout, some sexual content and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France China Cambodia USA Germany

Language:

English Thai

Release Date:

10 August 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Prayer Before Dawn

Filming Locations:

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Senorita Films, Indochina Productions, HanWay Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Kuwait, the film had been banned twice for excessive brutality. Eventually the distributors pledged with the authorities that if they got one single complaint from the audience, they would eventually pull it from cinemas risking a total loss on P&A spend. The film became a solid indie hit in the country.

---

Goofs

In an early fight, Billy's left ear is injured (outside near top cut open) and after is shown being sown together by Thai inmate: latter shots showing same ear have no sign of such / healing / scar or (probable) likes injury: of note, when the real B. Moore turns up as a visitor (as his own father) at the end, it is clear that his (real Billy) left ear (outside top) is missing.

---

Soundtracks

Biced
Performed by Scott Morgan as Loscil
Composed by Scott Morgan

User Reviews

Worth the watch!

This little gem of a movie was quite worth the watch. Gritty, some uncomfortable to watch scenes- but wildly successful with regard to storytelling. The main Character (Joe Cole) is so damn interesting, he draws you into his world and the structure of the movie forces you to see the world from his eyes. There is very little English dialogue and not many subtitles- but you won't even notice - which is impressive. It's a simple story about a guy arrested and incarcerated in a foreign land, fighting to survive, but it delves so much deeper than that. Joe Cole IS the movie and he carries the story.