Winai Kraibutr Movies

Magic and fierce rivalries set the stage in this epic-scale fantasy set in 17th Century Thailand. The Black Raven (Winai Kraibutr) is a fearsome pirate who has joined forces with a rogue prince to overthrow the rule of Queen Hijau of Pattani (Jarunee Suksawas). Needing weapons, the Black Raven and his crew set out to steal a cache of powerful cannons from Janis Bree (Andre Macchieisen), a Dutch master of firearms, and Lim Kium (Jakkrit Phanichphatikram), his Chinese right-hand man. The Raven's plan, however, goes awry, and the cannons sink to the bottom of the sea as a child named Pari is born in a village not far away. As the youngster grows to manhood, it becomes evident that Pari (Ananda Everingham) has a gift for magic, and his uncle Anjar (Preecha Katkham) arranges for him to learn the art at the hands of the gifted White Ray (Sorapong Chatree). As Pari hones his powers, he learns that his father died battling the Black Raven on the day he was born, and White Ray tells him it is his duty to bring justice against the pirate once he masters his magic. As Pari makes plans to put the Black Raven in his place, the pirate is making new plans to rescue the cannons he lost years ago, and Queen Hijau, sensing that revolt is afoot once again, approaches Lim Kium and asks if he can recreate Janis Bree's fabled weapons. Puenyai chom salat (aka Queens of Langkasuka) also stars Anna Ris and Jacqueline Apithananon as the Queen's daughters. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This historical drama from Thailand is based on one of the key historical events in that nation's history. In 1765, Siam (as Thailand was known at that time) was being invaded by Burmese troops, and only one thing stood in the way of the Burmese army seizing control of the capitol city of Ayudhaya -- the tiny village of Bang Rajan. Despite the strength of the advancing Burmese forces, the people of Bang Rajan were determined to fight back, and Taen (Chumphorn Thepphithak) leads a band of villagers who have pledged to face down the enemy. When Taen is severely wounded in an early skirmish with the Burmese, the people of Bang Rajan are forced to turn to Chan Nhatkeo (Jaran Ngamdee), a battle-hardened soldier of fortune who lives alone in the nearby wilderness. Chan Nhateko, understanding the seriousness of the situation, brings in a handful of colleagues, and with their help the people of Bang Rajan prepare to fight the larger and better equipped Burmese army to a standstill. Bang Rajan was shot on a relatively lavish budget ($1.3 million, roughly the cost of four average Thai productions), and proved to be a blockbuster attraction at home, eventually grossing $9 million to become the biggest home-grown moneymaker in the history of the Thai film industry. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide