"From each perfectly coiffed topknot to curled-toe slipper, luminous temple to jeweled blade, Suriyothai's a feast for the eyes." Gregory Weinkauf NEW TIMES "Connoisseurs of Cecil B DeMille-style spectacle will find much to like here, even if they're not sure who's who and what the heck is going on." Chris Vognar DALLAS MORNING NEWS "Enjoy the gorgeous and gaudy splendor of the sets, the locations and the spare-no-expense battle scenes featuring 3,500 extras and 160 elephants." Sean Means, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE "With elephants and horses galore joining the thousands of Thai army and navy personnel conscripted into battle sequences, the spectacle is unimpeachable." Maitland McDonagh TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE

"A sumptuously beautiful film with a fantasy-like setting, soft, golden lighting and mythic shot structure -- every frame a painting." Annlee Ellingson, BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE "Huge, sprawling, and utterly absorbing." Stephen Hunter WASHINGTON POST "A film that is stunning to watch." Ray Conlogue, GLOBE AND MAIL "A visually enthralling, viscerally rousing, politically fascinating epic of the old school that evokes the pleasures of the great spectaculars of the Hollywood past." William Arnold SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

At A Glance

"Packed with enough intrigue, bloodletting, poisonings, and betrayals to fuel a half dozen melodramas, The Legend of Suriyothai is the kind of rousing, old-fashioned historical epic that Hollywood rarely makes nowadays." Timothy Knight REEL.COM

If you love big sumptuous movies or epic style films filled with rich colorful characters and marvellous images, you'll most probably get a lot out of "The Legend of Suriyothai" a film which chronicles the struggles of the Thai nation during a fifty year period of the sixteenth century. Based on factual events it is indeed a spectacular and intriguing film to watch, provided you don't get too carried up in trying to 'name' the characters who are the main players in this film. Why? Well unless you have a good grasp on the Thai language, their names are awfully long for most viewers to remember. As a history lesson Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol's "The Legend of Suriyothai" is a wonderful period piece and was originally commissioned by the Queen of Thailand so that modern day Thai's would not lose sight of their grass roots and the history which shaped their nation. But while there is so much good about "The Legend of Suriyothai" it must be pointed out that unless you're happy with the genre of this film, you will most probaly struggle with it. The original ran around five hours and later versions were cut to suit the needs of non-national audiences so even though this is a lot, lot shorter, some will still find it a long haul. Commencing at the turn of the 16th century, "The Legend of Suriyothai" takes us through King Ramathibodhi II right up to the great battle with King Tabinshwethi of Burma in 1548. Ayuthaya at that time depended on the joint cooperation of four royal dynasties. Those dynasties were; the Suphannabumi, U-Thong, Phra Ruang and Sri Thammasokaraj. We are introduced to the beautiful Suriyothai right at the beginning. We meet Piren whom she loves but is unable to marry because Suriyothai is betrothed to Tien, the son of King Atitaya. With King Ramathibodhi II's death in 1529 the kingdom is now split into two factions. King Atitaya rules the northern half and Chairacha, the son of Ramathibodhi II ruled the south. Suriyothai, Tien and their children move to the north. What evolves from here is a brutal struggle for power with Suriyothai dedicated to uniting the nation once again under one rightful royal dynasty. We witness the influence of the Portugese, the devistation of the smallpox epidemic, poisoinings, assasinations and treachery, which leads to Suriyothai taking on the Burmese invaders in a battle fought with cannon, elephants and thousands of foot soldiers. And, as you can see from the photos on this review, the colour is rich as are the images. Crew Bytes "The Legend of Suriyothai" was .......
directed and written by Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol ["Out of the Dark", "The Angel", "Last Love" and "The Yellow Sky"]; foley editor Jeremy Molod ["Apocalypse Now", "Chocolat", "The Shipping News", "Adaptation" and "Maid in Manhattan"]; sound recordist Ethan Derner ["Apocalypse Now", "Rainmaker", "The Virgin Suicides" and "Live Nude Girls Unite!"]; sound mixer Conrad Slater ["Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Little City"]; costume design by Kamol Panitpan ["The Legend of Suriyothai"]; cinematograhpy by Igor Luther ["The Man Who Lies", "Eden and After", "In The Cold Light Of Day" and "Tea Tattoo"], Stanislav Dorsic ["The Bee Millenium", "The Cardinal" and "In The Cold Light Of Day"] and Anupap Buachand ["Muen and Rid"]; original music by Richard Harvey ["Lady Chatterley's Lover", "Half Moon Street", "Paper Mask", "Two Men Went to War" and "Keunbab prompiram"]; produced by Kamla Yukol ["Keunbab prompiram"]; executive produced by Kim Aubry ["Apocalypse Now" and "One For The Heart"] and Francis Ford Coppola ["The Conversation", "Apocalypse Now", "The Godfather II & III", "Frankenstein", "The Virgin Suicides", "Jeepers Creepers I & II" and "Lost in Translation"]. Suriyothai Film Facts

Director and co-writer Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol is one of Thailand's pioneering filmmakers and an international representative of Asian cinema. Prince Chatri was born on November 29, 1942, a son of HRH Anusorn and Mom Ubon Yukol. He was educated at Geelong Grammar School in Australia and continued his education at UCLA in Los Angeles, where he majored in Geology. Original Thai version was released in Thailand on July 12, 2001. It broke all box office records. Film was funded and largely supported by the Queen of Thailand for the purpose of educating a new generation of Thais about their history. Film was researched for 5 years. 17 months were spent in actual production. The Queen of Thailand personally inaugurated the first day of photography. Thai army and navy were conscripted by the thousands for the battle scenes. 160 elephants were used in the production. The International crew, included a Czech and Polish camera department, American and English sound department, English composer. All props were made from scratch; including authentic 16th century European, Thai and Burmese weapons. Locations, including palaces and royal grounds, were actual historical sites. Many scenes were shot in and around the ruins of the ancient capital Ayutthaya. 3500 extras were used in the battle scenes. 400 people on crew. 1400 rolls of film were used in shooting the film. This was more than 1/2 million feet of film. 263 hours of sound recorded. The 6-channel Dolby digital soundtrack was edited and mixed and Francis Coppola's American Zoetrope post facility in the Napa Valley. The international version is in Thai with English subtitles.

The Story

"The best approach is to sit back and let the spectacle wash over you." Jean Lowerison SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN

"The Legend Of Suriyothai", set in the 16th century chronicles the life of the a beautiful young princess Suriyothai who must choose between marrying a gallant young warrior named Piren, or fulfilling her royal duty by wedding Prince Tienin in a marriage arranged by their two very powerful families. The Thai kingdom of Ayuthaya is enjoying a period of peace and prosperity but will soon have to defend itself from first, it's enemies in the kingdom of Burma and then from those withing who seek the power of the throne. Supported by the Portugese and backed by powerful cannon fire power, the Burmese forces set out to invade Ayuthaya. Finally after much deception and turmoil Princess Suriyothai, with the help of those loyal to her, assassinates the pretenders to the throne, Srisudachan and Worawong. With the Burmese forces about to enter the city, Princess Suriyothai takes command and with her soldiers takes to the battlefield in an attempt to turn back the invaders and preserve the purity of the throne. Against all odds she leads a charge that will decide the fate of both her country and the Royal throne. The Verdict "It's a sumptuous production with a feast of spectacular visionary delights. The story is powerful and compelling but will be best enjoyed by viewers who free their imagination and let the huge granduer, the intriguing plots and the bulging battle scenes overpower them. Don't fall into the trap of trying to remember whose who by name, just let it all sweep you away. A mighty production which will more than satisfy those who love glorious, big epics or rich, rich images." The Cast

ML Piyapas Bhirombhakdi Sarunyu Wongkrachang Pongpat Wachirabunjong Chatchai Plengpanich Johnny Anfone Mai Charoenpura Sorapong Chatree Sinjai Plengoanich Sorapong Chatri Ampol Lampoon Suppakorn Kitsuwan Penpak Sirikul Wannasa Thongwiset Ronrittichai Khanket Saharat Sangkapricha Varuth Waratham Suppakit Tangthatswasd Sombati Medhanee AkekaphanN Bunluerit Saad Peampongsanta Manop Ausawatep Krung Srivilai Attep Chodchoy Suchao Pongvilai Aranaya Namnong Naiyana Chanruang Pawanrat Narksuria Jiravadee Israngura Yani Tramod Meesak Nakkarat

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Queen Suriyothai King Mahachakrepat King Chairacha Lord Pirenthorathep Lord Warawongsa Lady Srisudachan Baron Muen Rachasineha Lady Srichulalak Captain Rajseneha Lord Intrathep Sir Sriyod Queen Jiraprapa Akrachaya King of Prae Lord Buyinnaung Lord Sihatu Tabinshwehti Lord Minyesihatu Chan Lord Mahasena Lord Sawankalok Lord Pichai Lieutenant Thepruksa King Norputthanukul Thongsuk Pudkrong Kayoon Prik Lord Rajpakdee Lord Yommaraj

The Crew Directed by Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol Written by Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol & Sunai Chutinaranond Presented by Francis Ford Coppola Produced by Kamla Yukol Executive Producers Francis Ford Coppola & Kim Aubry Original Music by Richard Harvey Cinematography by Anupap Buachand/Stanislav Dorsic/Igor Luther Film Editing by Chatrichalerm Yukol/Patamanadda Yukol Art Direction by Prasopok Thanasetvarai/Prasert Posrirat/Chetsada Prunarakard Costume Design by Kamol Panitpan Run Time 142 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Sony Pictures Classics - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved