"Ong Bak is a breath of fresh air, as gasped through a bloody, shattered windpipe." Eric Meyerson FILMCRITIC.COM "Already a much-bootlegged, beloved martial arts film in Thailand, Ong-Bak delivers a new world action star in Jaa." Robert K Elder CHICAGO TRIBUNE "It's not often that you witness the creation of a star, so grab the chance now." Elizabeth Weitzman NEW YORK DAILY NEWS "Genre fans should have plenty of fun watching this cinematic showcase for Muay Thai and for Jaa’s ability to kick some serious tail." Todd Jorgenson DENTON RECORD CHRONICLE "The meat of the matter is fight sequences, and rather than being goosed with now-common digital effects and Hong Kong-style wirework, it's all real and all breathtaking." Ken Fox TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE

"A knockout of a martial arts movie -- and an elbow to the head. And two knees to the back and a roundhouse kick to the ear for good measure." Liam Lacey GLOBE AND MAIL "Tony Jaa is the real thing." David Chute L A WEEKLY "Jaa is not just a martial arts phenomenon but young, photogenic and charismatic." Louis B Hobson JAM! MOVIES "An effective martial arts film destined to leave mouths agape." Andrew Sun HOLLYWOOD REPORTER "Jaa is an electrifying performer and the movie is primarily designed to show off what he does best." Nell Minow MOVIE MOM AT YAHOO! MOVIES

The Inside Story

"I sat through the movie impressed at how real the action sequences seemed. Then I went to the Web site, and discovered that they were real." Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Just in case, you are humming and harring about whether you should see the new Tony Jaa film "Ong Bak" take a moment to read what film critic Marty Mapes from "Movie Habit" had to say about the star of the film. "It's too soon to say for sure that Jaa is the next Chan, but I'm rooting for him.". That's a pretty big call Marty, but guess what? I'm going along with it. Yes Tony Jaa is spectacular as Ting, the country boy who has been trained in the highly skilled Martial Art of Muay Thai. It's like watching those old Jackie Chan films when he was raw and developing and look where Jackie is today. Tony Jaa can go the same way and I for one hope he does. I must confess though, I did harbour a lot of trepidation prior to the recent Premiere screening of the film here in Adelaide but all that was soon dispelled by what unfolded or should I say unleashed itself upon the screen. Boy, oh boy, oh boy!! Talk about giving them the old one,two. This is the real deal. No wires, no stunt doubles, and, no computer graphics. It's raw! It's spectacular! It's somewhat invigorating to watch in a guilty sort of way. Hey, but it's only a film. Right? Sure it is. But don't think the whole film is just the most spectacular fight scenes witnessed in a long while., because "Ong Bak is jammed pack full of exciting chases, very spectacular [make that electrifying] stunts and surprisingly, a lot of really good humour. So where did the idea for the exciting "Ong Bak". Director Prachya Pinkaew says the idea was first planted in his mind, when, as "as a teenager, he sat in his native village, watching the films of Thai action movie hero Phanna Rithikrai. Phanna was the Bruce Lee of Thailand." What made Phanna Rithikrai so special was that "in his films, all the fight scenes were performed 'for real', without the air of special effects and camera tricks. This contrasted sharply with the more stylized Hong Kong martial arts movies that were popular in Thailand at the time." Prachya vowed "when he became a filmmaker, he would make a movie that would make the same kind of impact that 'Born To Fight' had made on him." Later when he moved to Bangkok, Prachya Pinkaew would meet the famed Phanna Rithikrai. It seems that over all those years, both men had the same desire when it came to making film. "Since I was a youngster, I never did anything by halves," says Phanna Rithikrai. "I invested my own money in my early films. I didn't really know anything about filmmaking when I made 'Born To Fight'. I just wanted to find a way to express my life experiences on film." But that wasn't the only investing Phanna had made. As he grew older he realized that he couldn't keep performing at the same level. "In the end, I was left training only one young guy", he said, "with no real hope of his ever becoming a movie star." Prachya wanted to meet Phanna's protégé. The young man, had been with Phanna from the age of ten, training in both kung fu and movie stunts. That young man was Panom Yee-rum who would one day be the star of the film "Ong Bak". And so began a labour of love the fulfilment of a village boys dream. "For four years, I worked very closely with Phanna and Tony," Prachya revealed. "It became more than a film to us. We became like family. I realized that I couldn't approach ('Ong Bak') as just another piece of filmmaking. For Phanna and Tony, this was the fulfillment of a life-long dream, and I wanted to share their energy and determination with the audience." The lingering question on everyones mind after seeing "Ong Bak" is, how much of it is real? "I refuse to use wires for safety because I want people to see it's real and bring back that feeling from Jackie's prime years and show those kind of film stunts to the public eye", Tony Jaa says. "Besides, the wires interfere with the real techniques and I wish to show the world the other side of Thai martial arts, not just what most think is the ring fighting." Thai Martial Arts Muay Thai is a martial art developed in Thailand. The basic offensive techniques in Muay Thai use hands, elbows, kicks and knees to punch and kick the opponent. This is also known as “The Science of Eight Limbs” as it employs these limbs to attack. This style is well known for its extensive use of the knees and elbow. No one knows exactly when Muay Thai was first practiced but it was considered a high art and part of the Thai Royal Court curriculum from around 1238AD. Apart from hand to hand uses in warfare, Muay Thai was considered a prestigious activity, with former Kings of Thailand sending their sons to train with temple monks as it was believed that bravery and fitness from training would lead to great and brave rulers. Around 1604, King Narai, a lover of sports, helped to make Muay Thai widely available and soon many local playgrounds featured roped off areas for boxing training. In 1767, Thailand was at war with the Burmese and a champion boxer Nai Kahnomtom was captured by the Burmese king Angwa. King Angwa called for a boxing match, the first Muay Thai match outside of Thailand and Nai Kahnomtom defeated all ten Burmese challengers in succession, with no rest at all between the ten fights. Nai Khanomtom was honored as The Father of Muay Thai and the day of the fight, March 17th is now officially named ‘Muay Thai day’ in Thailand. Muay Boran is the predecessor to Muay Thai, hence the word Boran which means ancient. This Thai fighting style developed over thousands of years but its origin is unknown. It was develop as a self-defense system to defend against Burmese invaders. This ancient art compose many techniques from different style within various tribes in different regions of Siam (now known as Thailand.) It incorporates not only striking techniques but also locking, throwing, submission holds, choking, and blows directly to pressure points. Ancient Thai warriors taught in this art are also strongly influence with the Buddhist way of life. An essential part of their training includes meditation and performing spiritual ceremony ritual called the “Ram”. It is meant to focus the mind and to pay homage to the gods and the spirits of their ancestors. Apart from uses in warfare, Muay Thai was considered an activity for fitness training and competition. During the early 1920’s, the government of the time has forbidden most of Muay Boran techniques and traditions. Rules and regulation were introduced into Muay Thai competition to ensure the fighters safety. It was at this time that sport Muay Thai was born. The sport Muay Thai often refer to as Muay Thai kickboxing slightly varies from the original art which uses kicks and punches in a ring and with gloves similar to those used in boxing. This has become Thailand’s national sport. Ever since this sport was created, many of the ancient style of Muay Thai were solemnly taught or were lost. There are a few traditional Muay Thai master alive that teaches this art. Today, there is movement to preserve this ancient art from being forgotten.
Krabi Krabong, a traditional Thai martial art, utilizes various weapons in combat but also utilize empty hand techniques as well. There is a variety of weapons used in this art which includes a sword, shield, knife, staff and many more. A common practice is the use of two swords to fight. During past Thai history, this style of fighting was practice by Siam soldiers to defend against the Burmese invaders but it is also been used in dancing rituals. This art is still practice in Thailand today, mainly for public display purposes. Crew Bytes "ONG BAK" was .......
directed by Prachya Pinkaew ["Ong Bak"]; production design by Arkadech Kaewkotara ["Ong-bak"]; edited by Thanat Sunsin ["Ong-bak"] and Thanapat Taweesuk ["Ong-bak"]; cinematography Nattawut Kittikhun ["Nang nak", "Tears of the Black Tiger", "Heaven's Seven", "Ong Bak" and "Hom rong"]; produced by Sukanya Vongsthapat ["Ong Bak", "Sayew" and "Fake"] and Prachya Pinkaew ["999-9999", "Sayew", "Fake" and "Kerd ma lui"]. Casting About "ONG BAK" stars .......
Tony Jaa ["The Bodyguard"]; Pumwaree Yodkamol ["Ong-bak"]; Suchao Pongwilai ["Cambogia Express", "303 Fear Faith Revenge", "Suriyothai" and "Lhorn"]; Wannakit Sirioput ["Belly of the Beast" and "Sniper 3"]; Cumporn Teppita ["Ong-bak"]; Woranard Tantipidok ["Ong-bak"]; Chatthapong Pantanaunkul ["Ong Bak"]; Chatewut Watcharakhun ["Pop Weed Sayong"]; Nick Kara ["Ong Bak"]; Erik Markus Schuetz ["Province 77", "Beautiful Boxer" and "Belly of the Beast"] and Petchtai Wongkamlao ["Killer Tattoo"] as George. What It's All About

"The best, if only, martial-arts film in a long while." Daniel Eagan FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

The villagers of Nong Pradu are about to celebrate the festival of Ong Bak. For one young man, this year is very special. Ting has finally completed his training in the ancient discipline of Muay Thai, a deadly martial art form which can be used with devastating effect. The village celebrations are jeopardized when Don, who is visiting from Bangkok, decides to remove the head of Ong Bak and steal it. Ting with the support of the villagers and the local priest volunteers to return the missing head in time for the final blessings. He arrives in the city and seeks out another of the villagers sons, George. George is a conman who, with his sister is in big trouble with local criminal elements. It's not long before Ting is drawn into using his skills in the local fight scene. It is here he discovers a link to who is responsible for the theft of Ong Bak's head. He task is made harder because the gang leader thinks he is working with the scalawag George. Ting refuses to be intimidated as he follows the clues he hopes will lead him to where the statues head is being kept. Ting will need all his Muay Thai skills if he is to succeed. The Verdict "It's all a bit raw, but quess what? "Ong Bak" turns out to be a very entertaining. Spectacular fight sequences, chase scenes and a good serve of humour makes "Ong Bak" a very entertaining, bone crunching, martial arts film that should not be overlooked. Is Tony Jaa the new Bruce Lee? He will be if Hollywood gets hold of him. Spectacular stuff!" The Cast

Tony Jaa Perttary Wongkamlao Pumwaree Yodkamol Suchao Pongwilai Wannakit Sirioput Cumporn Teppita Chatthapong Pantanaunkul Chatewut Watcharakhun Rungrawee Barijindakul Nudhapol Asavabhakhin Pornpimol Chookanthong Udom Chouncheun Boonsri Yindee Arirat Ratanakaitkosol Woravit Tanochitsirikul Chalongsak Sirimahasan Sawang Rodnuch Sutin Rodnuch Woranard Tantipidok Somjaj Junmoonree Somchai Moonma Taworn Tonapan Chupong Changprung Chaiporn Gunmoontree Don Ferguson David Ismalone Sukanya Kongkawong Hans Eric Nick Kara

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Ting Humlae/Dirty Balls/George Muay Lek Komtuan Don Uncle Mao Saming Peng Ngek Yoshiro Mae Waan Ta Meun Yai Hom Tang On Sia Pao Hia Lao Noi Jamnean Pra Cru Bodyguard 1 Bodyguard 2 Bodyguard 3 Bodyguard 4 Bodyguard 5 Bodyguard 6 Mad Dog Waitress Pearl Harbour Big Bear

The Crew Directed by Prachya Pinkaew Produced by Prachya Pinkaew & Sukanya Vongsthapat Cinematography by Nattawut Kittikhun Film Editing by Thanat Sunsin & Thanapat Taweesuk Production Design by Arkadech Kaewkotara Sound Department Sunij Asavinikul Stunts Don Ferguson/David Ismalone/Erik Markus Schuetz Martial Arts Choreographers Panom Yeerum & Panna Rittikrai Run Time 95 minutes Rated MA 15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - Magnolia Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2005 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved