Product Details

• Actors: Sarunyu Wongkrachang
• Directors: Chatrichalerm Yukol
• Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, Closed-captioned, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: June 14, 2011
• Run Time: 332 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B004TFTE68
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,333 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

History on a grandly gargantuan scale, director Chatreechalerm Yukol's multipart epic is an exceedingly lavish (and somewhat narratively muddled) tribute to the early life of Thailand's King Naresuan, the 16th-century leader who fought to free Siam from Burmese rule. Sporting enough convoluted factions and royal backbiting to make Game of Thrones seem like Candyland, this reverent biopic demands--and rewards--fierce concentration from the viewer. Part one (originally titled King Naresuan) follows the 9-year-old hero as he is held hostage by the ruler of Burma in order to ensure his native land's compliance. While winning the favor of his (mostly) benevolent captor, he begins to learn martial arts techniques from a wise monk, sowing the seeds for his eventual destiny. Meanwhile, a myriad of noblemen from surrounding regions attempt to scheme their way to the top of the heap. Skipping ahead to its subject's adult years, part two (King Naresuan: The Reclamation of Sovereignty) begins to deliver on its predecessor's laborious setup, as the death of Burma's ruler sparks off a series of impeccably staged, increasingly massive battle sequences, including a terrifically gonzo skirmish between forest bandits and an elite squad of female archers, and the film's final bench-clearing brawl between Naresuan's forces and the Burmese army. Whether the two parts are viewed separately or together, the sheer scope of Kingdom of War is fantastic to behold, with an attention to detail that borders on the flabbergasting. However, although the filmmaker's dedication and craft is unquestionable, the sheer tonnage of his narrative proves difficult to overcome. While those with prior knowledge of the historical events will be enthralled, newcomers may wish to have a flowchart handy. --Andrew Wright

Product Description

As a follow up to Chatreechalerm Yukol's THE LEGEND OF SURIYOTHAI, KINGDOM OF WAR is an epic historical action film about King Naresuan the Great, who liberated the Siamese from the control of Burma, changing the destiny of a nation. Part 1 introduces Naresuan as a child prince captured by the Burmese King Bayinnaung in order to keep the province of Ayudhya subservient. Naresuan spends almost seven years away from home studying as a novice Buddhist monk. Part 2 depicts Naresuan's life as the heir-presumptive to Ayudhya. Over the next decade, he matures in military capability and gains an enemy in Bayinnaung's successor, Nandabayin. Nandabayin orders Naresuan on an ambushed mission, for which Naresuan discovers and retaliates by strengthening Ayudhya's borders. Soon after being crowned king, the Burmese resume attacks, but it is Naresuan who reigns victor and turns the tables of war for the first time in 30 years.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kingdom Of War November 16, 2011

By Larry W

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was an excellent movie. Very good story line, actors, costumes and scenery were superb. This is one of the best Thai movies I have seen and I've had seen a good number of them. The fighting scenes were very intense and the weapons were authentic.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Starts Stilted and Slow . . . THEN GREAT! October 6, 2011

By Roy Clark

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

Seven years ago I saw THE LEGEND OF SURIYOTHAI, directed and/or produced by a cousin of the Thai Royal Family. I thought it was truly awful. Yet hope sprung eternal and when KINGDOM OF WAR came out I got it to see if/how far Thai film making had progressed.

Oops, the first disk of this two-disk Blu-ray was awkward, talky; a mush of cute kids and glum,
sour generals discussing their problems (maybe a set-up history lesson?) Radically boring. But thankfully mercifully short.

BUT THE SECOND DISK CAME ALIVE! Great in every respect. Writing, design, production,
characterizations, acting, battle action; it's long too; over two and a half hours.
I was amazed and delighted.

Disk Two's action historic drama doesn't have boring discussions as in that first
disk. Suddenly it seems nepotism is out and 21st-Century Thai film-making is in.

For Amazon's great two-disk Blu-ray price of $17.99, in Disk one you'll see Thailand's lush scenery, stunning temples, historically-accurate costumes and weaponry. (I spent seven years in Thailand, learning about this incredible country) Disk One is a true-to-life history drama of Thai wars with Burma (now renamed 'Miramar')

The real cinema treat is in the second DVD, which is much longer. And SUPERB in every aspect.

I collect Asian films (mostly Japanese and Chinese). They're having a real renaissance,
blowing Hollywood and Bollywood away). If this surprise film is typical of new Thai films,
then there goes my movie budget.

In the last decade Chinese and Japanese films have made giant leaps. For more welcome-to-a-new-age entertaining Thai films, see Chocolate. It's no period piece; taking place in modern-day Bangkok. There's also Bangkok Dangerous [Blu-ray] a Western-Thai collaboration shot in Bangkok, starring Hollywood's hardest-working actor of late, Nicholas Cage.
Both well-done action flicks offering keen looks at Thailand, unique and memorable.

A long-time fan of Thailand, I hope their films continue improving. In the meantime, to see how far Asian film has come, here are six surprising titles: HERO, LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION, BATTLE OF THE WARRIORS, THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS and DEATH NOTE. All, wonderful!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kingom of War part 1 and part 2 (Blu-ray) October 6, 2011

By achiu

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

A very touching film of Siam empire history in blu-ray 1 & 2. I am longing for the 3rd part of this soon ...