2001 ‘สุริโยไท’ Directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol
During the 16th century, as Thailand contends with both a civil war and Burmese invasion, a beautiful princess rises up to help protect the glory of the Kingdom of Ayothaya. Based on the life of Queen Suriyothai.
Piyapas Bhirombhakdi Sarunyu Wongkrachang Chatchai Plengpanich Johnny Anfone Mai Charoenpura Sinjai Plengpanit Amphol Lampoon Penpak Sirikul Wannasa Thongviset Supakit Tungtatsawat Supakorn Kitsuwon Sorapong Chatree Saharat Sangkapreecha Varut Woratham Sombat Metanee Yanee Tramoth Akekaphan Bunluerit Sa-Ard Piempongsan Manop Aswathep Krung Srivilai Pawanrat Naksuriya Pisamai Wilaisak Samart Payakaroon
Suriyothai: Die Kriegsprinzessin, Suriyothai Die Kriegsprinzessin, Legenden om Suriyothai, La Reine guerrière, Suriyothai, Легенда о Суриотай, La leyenda de Suriyothai
I still have another hour and fifteen minutes or so left in this movie as of writing this, but I don’t think I’ll ever get to it.
There are sporadic touches of craft all over this film; beautiful sets, flowing camera work, dynamic scenes. But the acting largely doesn’t support the scope of the story being told and the editing absolutely doesn’t.
And what an audacious scope it is. The film looks to cover 20+ years in the life of one of Thailand’s most legendary historical figures. But because of the incredibly complex political machinations of the court systems of the time the project has a lot of trouble keeping Suriyothai centered.
The whole buildup is all to this big…
Back in the 16th century, Thailand was not the country we know it to be today. It consisted of many small kingdoms, with all internal fighting and intrigues. Out of this rose a strong woman, princess Suriyothai, whose heroism and sacrifice united the land.
Or, well, I guess that's the story the cover is trying to sell us, while also pulling on the famous name of Francis Ford Coppola, who produced this, Thailand's biggest and most costly production of all time.
What we do get is one dragging and disjointed history lesson. I mean this film is 2h16min (even though the cover specified 1h47min), and even that is not nearly enough time to do justice to all the things they…
Thailand's great legend you never knew about, in spectacular glory, is nearly impossible to follow but also completely mesmerizing. Tip: don't get attached to any king. There is always another one. I eventually gave in and watched it with commentary on, which did help somewhat, including an appreciation for the film-making -- elephants, concubines, beheadings, and all. There are a lot of cribnotes inserted for Western audiences, but I don't know if they really helped. What really helped was learning that at the time of these events, Siam's capital housed a million people, while London (also rife with beheadings and conniving queens) was about 200,000.
Maybe it’s a cultural thing.
Every artist is, after all, informed by their milieu. Just because I can’t stand to sit through a two and a half hour movie from Thailand doesn’t mean it’s bad.
It’s probably because I’m a sheltered North American who has grown up on the stylish, character driven, brilliance of Atom Egoyan or the entertaining, politically relevant, inspiration of Ridley Scott. I expect something with substance, something that makes me care, something rich in symbolism and creativity.
Hell, I just have to admit the truth: The Legend of Suriyothai – Chatri Chalerm Yukol’s narcissistic epic – was meant to be a boring, poorly acted, unedited, plot heavy, Francis Ford Coppola boosted, propaganda piece so that Thailand’s…
just mark the date (can not remember whole story and no need to rewatch too, if I could give star = 0.5-1 star for sure.)
there was my first time experience in cinema. (abudant SALIM actors lol)
my family brought me to watch in my 6th birthday (I guess)
Our 2016 Movie Challenge
August - Female Protagonists
#14
Most interesting character - Srisudachan
Most memorable line - "The doctor has the look of a man with not long to live."
Most indelible scene - Srisudachan stole the show in every scene she was in as did King Hongsa's war elephants.
