Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior: Technical Notes

Technical Notes Technical Notes:
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior
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    by TV7061



Why did Luc Besson and HKL change the musical score?

One of the biggest complaints when this film premiered in various parts of the western world was the overly repetetive Thai techno track, which also didn't seem to "fit" with the film. If you listen carefully to the original techno track, the music is the same in EVERY fight scene almost. Although I don't know how good the British orchestrated soundtrack is, I must admit that Luc Besson's hip-hop soundtrack is far superior and makes the film much more energetic than the original techno track.

Why did Luc Besson make cuts?

The only thing that Luc Besson actually cut from the film was the sub-plot of Muay's sister, which he felt distracted audiences from the general plot of the film, as well as a short scene discussing Ting's early childhood. I agree with these cuts, but I did not like the fact that he cut the fight scene between Ting and the villain's main henchman.




    by Cinema!



The soundtrack is different from the Thai version, with more of a light techno rock that may have been thought more appealing to younger, or western audiences. Both versions have English subtitles.

This two disk set continues with three plus hours of special extras, including the "making of". Let me say I have grown quite jaded about the making of aspect of extras that seem obligatory in every movie.

Many are nothing more than a trailer and a deleted scene or two of someone scratching their buttocks. So I wasn't expecting much from Ong Bok. I couldn't have been more wrong! Disc 2 is overflowing with a genuine bonus section. Tony has the ability of all masters of movement to make his moves look easy. Well after watching the extras you will see how much training and time went into every shot. The documentary and interviews are fascinating! There are behind the scenes action and fight demonstrations by Jaa and his stunt crew.

Also includes a very detailed description of Thai Boxing and the schools around Thailand. There is some amazing B&W footage of a real Thai Boxing match. When compared to the same today a lot has changed.

There is still more including a very cool French music-video, with Tony doing his stuff in the ring!




    by TV7061



Luc Besson, a French action film writer and producer who did work with Jet Li, bought distribution rights to Ong-Bak and changed it slightly. His version is the "French Theatrical Version" that is found on the Australian 2-disc set (which also has the Thai uncut version). The French version is what is found on the U.S. DVD. The French version has a new hip-hop soundtrack during the action scenes but preserves most of the original soundtrack otherwise (sometimes you can hear a voice in the music going "yeah!" or "what up!"). The French seem to like having rock and hip-hop in their actions films whereas the U.S. and Britain like an orchestrated score. The film's realistic sound effects during the fight scenes have been made a little more powerful too. The end credits are in English and have a French rap song playing. The French version also cuts out two short scenes (but I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen this awesome movie) and shortens the finale fight between Tony Jaa and the villain's main bodyguard.



    by TV7061



Here is what you must do in order to find some of the special features on Disc 2, because some of them are hidden, and you have to dig for them. Well, here are the hidden ones:

1. ALTERNATE ENDING: Highlight "Behind the Scenes and Fight Demonstrations" and press on it. Then Highlight "TONY JAA Fight Demonstrations" and press on it. Then Highlight "The 8 Muay Thai Movements" and press right to highlight a fist, and then press on it.

2. STORYBOARD COMPARISONS/3-D Animatic Comparisons: Press "Trailers and Special Features." Highlight "Artwork Galleries" and press Right to highlight a fist. Press on it. Also, go to "Artwork Galleries" menu, highlight 'Storyboards Gallery' and press Right to highlight a fist. Then press the 'Enter' key.

3. DELETED SCENES: Press "Trailers and Special Features." Highlight "Back to Extras Main Menu" and press LEFT to highlight a fist. Press on it.




    by HKFlix
    www.hkflix.com

According to our sources, the US DVD is slightly cut. The UK DVD from Hong Kong Legends will be uncut but will contain a completely new score. This is the only DVD available at the time of this writing that we know of that is uncut, contains the original score, and has English subtitles.



    by Eastern Eye



The long awaited DVD release of this Thai martial arts classic. Contains 2 DVD’s packed with over 200 minutes of special features -- in fact the most comprehensive release of the film in any territory, which not only includes the international version of the film, but also the original Thai uncut version!

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: DISC 1 - widescreen, Luc Besson international edition, UNCUT original Thai edition DISC 2 -- Born For The Fight: Thai Boxing Documentary, Making Of Ong Bak / Behind The Scenes, Tony Jaa Interview / Director Interview, Hong Kong And French Film Premieres, French Music Video, Storyboard Comparison, Rehearsals, Muay Thai 9 Moves Demonstration, 3D Animatic Comparison, Audition Videos, Tony Jaa Fight Demonstration, International Trailers, Deleted Scenes, Alternative Ending, Hidden Messages, Sketch Gallery, Poster Gallery, Stills Gallery, Ong Bak Screensaver, double sided cover (without ratings code)
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