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abradley -> Suriyothai (8/29/2001 8:15:00 AM)
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Excerpt from "The Nation" 18 Aug. 2001
"Suriyothai" (1st half 16th century Siam.)
The film centres on the life of the heroine, Suriyothai, the queen of King Mahachakrapat, whose life from the age of 15, went through dramatic changes ranging from love and attachment, marriage, resettlement in the capital Ayutthaya, court life, and intrigue.
Suriyothai is also a colourful tapestry of former Siam covering the lives of both the high and low, and the ancient traditions in the Ayuthaya period during a time of peace and war, Changes resulting from successions to the throne reflect the true nature of human beings with their strengths and weaknessess, nobility, ambition, struggle for power, sacrifice, and survival.
Andy>>>My wife and I saw this yesterday.
It was great, this from Andy the original "Ugly American*". The Palace intrigues would impress Shakespeare, the battles were well done and different (mortars mounted on Elephants?), they say it's been well researched so the elephant mortars are probable correct, does anyone know? Not as polished as a Hollywood production, Julia Roberts isn't starring as the heroine, all Thai actors except for a few Portuguese Mercenaries and Jesuits.
Doing a read of Thai history of that era will be helpful. Thai-Burmese Wars.
Saw it in Thai with English subtitles. It's 3 hours long with no break.
It's expected to play throughout SE Asia and there is talk it may be picked up for worldwide distribution (after being edited to two hours? Bad mistake!)
So If any want to see something historically different and your living in an area with a large Thai (SE Asian) population it may show in a local theater.
*"The Ugly American", a book from the '60s about Americans in SE Asia who live as Americans and don't try learning the local language, history, or customs.
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