Ong-Bak: The Beginning

As a young boy in medieval Thailand, Tien longs to become a faithful warrior like his father Lord Sihadecho. But at birth it was prophesized that Tien would bring death and destruction on his land, and so his father sends him away for his own safety to study meditation and Khon, a classical dance form, with Master Bua. Despite his disgust at learning to dance rather than fight, Tien grows fond of Bua’s adopted daughter Pim and becomes friends with the kooky Men (Petchtai Wongkamlao) who is obsessed with Khon. But Tien’s happiness cannot last; his world is turned upside down when his entire family is massacred and his home is devastated by the cruel treachery of Lord Rajasena as part of his plot to overthrow the country. Tien is the only surviving member of his family.

Captured by slave traders and left to die in a crocodile pit, Tien is saved by Chernung (SORAPONG CHATREE) the leader of a gang of guerrilla bandits. On throwing a knife down to Tien, Chernung is so impressed at the skill with which Tien kills the crocodile and escapes the pit, that he takes Tien to a soothsayer who reveals that he could become a great warrior. Chernung raises Tien as one of his own; Tien is trained in all kinds of martial arts and the skills of war. On reaching manhood, Tien (TONY JAA) has become the ultimate fighter. When he tames the Black Tusked elephant, it is clear that he could one day lead the guerrillas. Tien’s only desire, however, is to avenge the massacre of his family and household and save the kingdom from Lord Rajasena.

He sets out on a path of vengeance, killing the slave traders. Disguised as a dancer during a celebration he kills Rajasena. But on the journey back to the guerrilla bandits he encounters Rajasena’s skilled and merciless killers, including the Golden Shield Guard (SUPAKORN KIJSUWAN) and the Crow Ghoul (DAN CHUPONG). When he confronts the leader of these groups he finds it is none other than Lord Rajasena who has survived thanks to an armoured tunic beneath his state robes. Chernung reveals himself as one of Rajasena’s fighters and confesses that he was part of the massacre of Tien’s family. Chernung pleads that he only fights for Rajasena to protect his family and encourages Tien to avenge the murder of his family by killing him there and then. Horrified by these revelations Tien kills Chernung and continues to fight wave after wave of Rajasena’s warriors.

Release date: 16-Oct-2009

Director: Tony Jaa Panna Rittikra
Cast: Tony Jaa, Primrata Dej-Udom, Sorapong Chatree, Saranyu Wongkrajang, Santisuk Promsiri, Pattama Pantong, Nirut Sirijanya, Petchtai Wongkhamlao, Supakorn Kijsuwan
Certificate: TBC
Genre: Drama Film

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