June 04, 2004
Ong Bak Lands A Wide Release!
It's not up on the distributor's site yet but word on the street is that Magnolia Pictures has picked up the amazing Thai martial arts film Ong Bak and will be giving it a wide release throughout North America in November. This will be the Luc Besson edit of the film which apparently runs about seven minutes shorter than the original (wonder if he left in the graffitti asking him to pick up the film?) and while western companies cutting Asian films often leaves me frothing at the mouth I don't actually have a problem with this one. Ong Bak in the original version is a good film made absolutely essential to martial arts fans thanks to the jaw dropping stunt and fight work of Tony Jaa - this man will be the next major international action star - but it could be a great film if not for some pacing problems. Knowing Besson's fixation on martial arts he won't have touched any of the action sequences that make up the film's heart so hopefully he's just made some cosmetic changes to keep things running along a little smoother.
Click here to see the French teaser and here to see the full French trailer and prepare to be amazed ... this man's got the straight up fighting skills of Jet Li (though in a much harsher discipline) combined with the willingness to do insane stuntwork not seen since Jackie Chan was in his prime.
Posted by John Campea at June 4, 2004 10:17 PM
Comments
Posted by: opus at June 5, 2004 04:30 PM
you will really enjoy this film. the stunts of jackie chan, with the fighting skills of jet li and bruce lee. tony jaa will be a superstar, only if he justs keep doing movie in thailand, because american kung-fu films suck.
Posted by: kelvin wilson at August 4, 2004 07:56 PM
Does anyone know, if a letterboxed dvd with subs of ong-bak exists? my singapore dvd has subs, but that's the only good thing to say about it.
Posted by: mr. furious at August 5, 2004 04:35 AM
There's no legit version of Ong Bak on DVD with subs, no. Besson asked the foreign distributors not to put subs on there to preserve the audience for the film's north american opening ... that's not to say there aren't subtitled bootlegs out there, but if you want to support the film makers wait for the official release.
Posted by: Bubba at August 5, 2004 10:31 AM
I have some dodgy version of ong bak on VCD and a DVD edition. The vcd edition has cantonese or maybe chinese subs with same again dubbibg over the original thai dialogue and english subs also. As far as i know the english subs are accurate. My DVD edition is the Luc Besson version. The subs suck! half the story has been removed and the dialogue has now become more boring (for lack of a better word)either he doesn't know thai or thinks we are idiots. Or both. I am highly unimpressed. pissed off more like. All I want is an un-cut version on DVD with the original english subs. Too much to ask? And yes Kelvin Wilson, American kung-fu movies really do suck.
Posted by: Andrew at September 2, 2004 11:58 PM
I have some dodgy version of ong bak on VCD and a DVD edition. The vcd edition has cantonese or maybe chinese subs with same again dubbibg over the original thai dialogue and english subs also. As far as i know the english subs are accurate. My DVD edition is the Luc Besson version. The subs suck! half the story has been removed and the dialogue has now become more boring (for lack of a better word)either he doesn't know thai or thinks we are idiots. Or both. I am highly unimpressed. pissed off more like. All I want is an un-cut version on DVD with the original english subs. Too much to ask? And yes Kelvin Wilson, American kung-fu movies really do suck.
Posted by: Andrew at September 2, 2004 11:59 PM
I have some dodgy version of ong bak on VCD and a DVD edition. The vcd edition has cantonese or maybe chinese subs with same again dubbibg over the original thai dialogue and english subs also. As far as i know the english subs are accurate. My DVD edition is the Luc Besson version. The subs suck! half the story has been removed and the dialogue has now become more boring (for lack of a better word)either he doesn't know thai or thinks we are idiots. Or both. I am highly unimpressed. pissed off more like. All I want is an un-cut version on DVD with the original english subs. Too much to ask? And yes Kelvin Wilson, American kung-fu movies really do suck.
Posted by: Andrew stanners at September 3, 2004 12:00 AM
oops ^
Posted by: Andrew at September 3, 2004 12:02 AM
I would agree that Besson totally screwed up this awesome movie. The new release is still great but ONLY because Tony Jaa is totally unbelievable. The original subs were much better, more meaningful and made for a better story overall. It's like western film-makers were nervous about how good it was and made it suck a little so people wouldn't know how great an action movie really could be! I've found the old version and I'm encouraging everyone I know to skip the theatre crap and see it how it was meant to be seen. They especially screwed up the soundtrack during the buggie/gocart scene.
Posted by: mahalie at March 9, 2005 06:58 PM
does anyone know when the offical date for the DVD release is?
Posted by: James at April 18, 2005 02:46 PM
there are a few people doing dvds of this now with english subs:
this copy is excellent:
https://www.redsundvd.com/view_product.php?product=ONGWH22H10
Posted by: KYUSS at April 27, 2005 05:17 AM
english sub is suck well i know thai so is hella fun^_^
Posted by: lee at May 6, 2005 07:46 PM
ummm. i know he filmis out in the uk in a few days (limited release i believe), but does anyone know anymore details about it? is it cut? subbed/dubbed?
Posted by: psych at May 6, 2005 10:33 PM
will there be a english voice over of this movie....I HATE reading while watching!
Posted by: sali at May 18, 2005 12:24 PM
Wow... first "Hero" (finally!), then "House Of Flying Daggers", and now "Ong-Bak"! Suh-weet...