Prepare yourself for the sprawling historical epic that isThe Legend of King Naresuan: Hostage of Hongsawadi(2007) or, as it’s called on my video streaming service,Kingdom of War, Part 1. For those unfamiliar with 16th century Thai history, the film’s many plot points and characters may warranta longish dive into Wikipediabefore proceeding.

King Bayinnaung of Hongsawadi (Myanmar/Burma) raids theAyutthaya Kingdom(Siam, now Thailand) and takes 9-year-old Naresuan (nicknamed Ong Dam) and his brother Ekathotsarot, both princes, as collateral. This action keeps King Thammaracha, Ong Dam’s father, in check.

I thought this would be the story of a boy’s heroic journey from young Buddhist warrior monk-in-training to future ruler and vanquisher of old cultural foes. However, the film winds down some convoluted roads, as other vassal states, kings, princes, princesses, greedy merchants, displaced slaves, and the like are introduced. Wars start, fights are won (or lost, depending on whose side you’re on), more collateral is taken by King Bayinnaung (this time Ong Dam’s lovely grown-up sister), rousing patriotic speeches are given, and betrayal is repaid with gruesome maiming and righteous execution.

All the while, Ong Dam (played by Pratcha Sananwatananont as a child and Wanchana Sawatdee as an adult) studies the “King’s Law” (military strategy and physical combat) under the tutelage of Kanchong (Sorapong Chatree), a wise monk and confidant of Bayinnaung (Sompob Benjathikul). Ong Dam also befriends Maneechan (Taksaorn Paksukcharern), an orphaned monastery girl, as well as Bunting (Jirayu La-ongmanee), a street beggar.

The episodes swing between the children’s burgeoning friendships and misadventures, and the military campaigns which further consolidate Bayinnaung's power over the region.

The young Ong Dam (which means "black prince") seems preternaturally wise beyond his years, although this can be attributed to the myth-making quality of the story. And at one point, as a child, he single-handedly defeats two hulking assassins with flying kicks and punches (the only scene in the movie which veers into the fantastical). He is, after all, destined to dismantle Bayinnaung's reign.

Bayinnaung himself is resigned to this fact. He refrains from killing the gifted Ong Dam after soothsayers proclaim that the boy is fated to conquer Hongsawadi—and there isn’t a damn thing the king can do about it. Even a dead Ong Dam will muddle Bayinnaung's legacy.

The film is rife with hints of young Ong Dam’s transformation into a warrior king. “Freedom only comes from fighting…a captive chicken will always be captive,” a peasant tells Bunting during an episode involving the boys’ successful (if short-lived) foray into cock-fighting. Throughout similar scenes, the young prince is instilled with pride for his country (Siam). He knows that his people must and will get out from under the thumb of the oppressive Hongsawadi Empire.

"The Legend of King Naresuan: Hostage of Hongsawadi" Official  International  Trailer w/Eng Sub

DirectorChatrichalerm Yukol'sThe Legend of King Naresuanfeatures competently filmed and edited battle scenes, as well as lavish production values. Sixteenth century Myanmar and Thailand come alive as we are treated to views of golden throne rooms, stunning architecture, and grand combat sequences featuring hundreds of clashing combatants. The sword battles remind one of the greatAkira Kurosawaepics likeRan (1985)andKagemusha (1980).

At times, the movie feels like a six-hour HBO miniseries jammed into 2 hours and 43 minutes. Writers Sunait Chutintaranond and Yukol pack in a sh*t-ton of action and digressive scenes which at times left me lost.

An ominous “THOOM!” punctuates scenes of high import. The sound also (sometimes) signifies the passage of substantial periods of time…I think. Occasionally a narrator speaks, but it’s all a bit sporadically executed. Despite the aural cues, I found myself becoming confused as instances of palace intrigue, grandiose battles, and patriotic speeches about destiny and royal lineage skipped by in quick succession.

Notwithstanding these issues,The Legend of King Naresuanis worth a look as it rivals any two hundred million dollar Hollywood epic in terms of scale, grandeur, and mythological storytelling.

Following the end of this chapter, viewers are treated to a quick montage featuring a grown-up King Naresuan (along with sidekick and lifelong friend Bunting), kicking ass and taking names. This epilogue feels a bit tacked on—an effort to promote the next installment. But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t look awesome.

Thai Movie Central Rating

How to Watch the Full Movie (with Thai Audio and English Subtitles)

—Buy the DVD.

—Buy the Blu-ray.

—Watch on Amazon (rent/buy).

—Watch on iTunes (rent/buy).

More Ways to Watch

—Watch on Google Play (rent/buy).

—Watch on YouTube (rent/buy).

Additional Notes

—The Thai title of this movie is ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช (translitertation: tamnan somdet phra naresuan maha rath), which means "The Legend of King Naresuan the Great."

—The film took seven years to make.Chatrichalerm Yukolplanned to tell the story of King Naresuan in a single movie, but decided on a trilogy. There are now a total of six episodes in the King Naresuan film franchise.

—The movie was shot on sets built inthe Kanchanaburi Province, in western Thailand. Historically, this was the area where major events in King Naresuan's life actually happened.

—Yukol also made the historical epic,The Legend of Suriyothai(2001), which was Thailand's highest-grossing Thai movie ever untilPee Mak (2013)broke that longstanding box-office record.

—Yukol also madeKru Somsri (a.k.a. Teacher Somsri) (1985), a powerful social melodrama about a teacher who galvanizes residents of a slum against cold-hearted real estate developers.

—Chatchai Plengpanich, who plays King Thammaracha, also appears inThe Legend of Suriyothaias Lord Pirenthorathep. He won aThailand National Film Association Award(a.k.a. Supannahong Award) for Best Actor for his role as Itti inNecromancer(2005), a supernatural crime drama.

—Sompob Benjathikul, who plays King Bayinnaung, also appears inA Stranger in Paradise (2013)as Virote.

—Sorapong Chatree, who plays Kanchong, also appears inThe Legend of Suriyothaias Captain Rajseneha, as well asOng-Bak 2: The Beginning (2008)andOng-Bak 3(2010) as Chernung. He won a Thailand National Film Association Award for Best Supporting Actor inOng-Bak 2.

—Taksaorn Paksukcharern, who plays Maneechan, also appears inBangkok Traffic (Love) Story (2009)as Kob Kavita.

—This movie was Thailand's official submission for the "Best Foreign-Language Film" category of the 80th Academy Awards in 2008.

—For further reading about King Naresuan, you might check out the book,King Naresuan the Great: Warrior King of Thailandby Robert Smith.

Credits and Other Info

—Cast: Wanchana Sawatdee (King Naresuan), Pratcha Sananwatananont (Young Naresuan), Chatchai Plengpanich (King Thammaracha), Sompob Benjathikul (King Bayinnaung),Sorapong Chatree(Kanchong),Taksaorn Paksukcharern(Maneechan), Jirayu La-ongmanee (Bunting).

—Director:Chatrichalerm Yukol.

—Screenwriters: Sunait Chutintaranond,Chatrichalerm Yukol.

—Genres: Action & Adventure, Drama.

—Release Year: 2007.

—Running Time: 2 hour, 43 minutes.

—Movie Images and Video: © Prommitr International Production.

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