ong-bak (2003)

Description

Ong-Bak (Thai: องค์บาก, pronounced [ʔōŋ bàːk]), also known as Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, is a 2003 Thai martial arts film directed by Prachya Pinkaew and featured action choreography by Panna Rittikrai. It stars Tony Jaa in the lead role, alongside Petchtai Wongkamlao and Pumwaree Yodkamol. The plot follows Ting (Jaa), a Buddhist monk trainee and Muay Thai specialist from the village of Ban Nong Pradu who volunteers to travel to Bangkok to recover the stolen head of a Buddha statue.

Ong-Bak proved to be Jaa’s breakout film, with the actor hailed internationally as the next major martial arts star. For the film, Jaa won a Star Entertainment Award for Best Actor. Jaa went on to star in Tom-Yum-Goong (called The Protector in the US and Warrior King in UK) and directed and starred in two prequels of Ong-Bak titled Ong-Bak 2 and Ong-Bak 3.

Cast

• Tony Jaa as Ting
• Petchtai Wongkamlao as George/Humlae (as Mum Jokemok in ending credits)
• Pumwaree Yodkamol as Muay Lek
• Chattapong Pantana-Angkul as Saming Sibtid
• Suchao Pongwilai as Komtuan (as Suchoa Pongvilai in ending credits)
• Wannakit Sirioput as Don (Komtuan’s henchman) (as Wannakit Siriput in ending credits)
• Chumphorn Thepphithak as Uncle Mao (as Chumporn Teppitak in ending credits)
• Rungrawee Barijindakul as Ngek (as Rungrawee Borrijindakul in ending credits)
• Cheathavuth Watcharakhun as Peng (as Chetwut Wacharakun in ending credits)
• Somjal Jonmoontee as Bodyguard 1 (as Somjai Gunmoontree in ending credits)
• Somchai Moonma as Bodyguard 2
• Taworn Tonapan as Bodyguard 3
• Dan Chupong as Bodyguard 4 (as Chupong Changprung in ending credits)
• Chaiporn Gunmoontree as Bodyguard 5
• Don Ferguson as Bodyguard 6
• Panna Rittikrai as Nong Pradu Villager (uncredited)

Club fighters:

• David Ismalone as Mad Dog
• Hans Eric as Pearl Harbour
• Paul Gaius as Lee
• Nick Kara as Big Bear
• Nudhapol Asavabhakhin as Toshiro
• Taweesin Visanuyothin as Doctor Sak