I need to go back and watch all of Ong Bak. For some reason I started it one night awhile back, got distracted, and never got back to it. Now, after seeing The Protector, I have to make sure to watch it - and soon.
Now, before going any further, I must say a big sarcastic "thank you" to Harvey "scissorhands" Weinstein. You have continued your impeccable track record with regards to your treatment of Asian cinema. Plus, to Quentin Tarantino, I hope you are aware of what has happened to the use of your name; you have always stood up to those who wish to cut films from their original presentation, and usually the use of your name in the advertising has meant that the film has been left intact.
That did not happen here. As I watched The Protector I got the distinct feeling that there were sections missing. The story jumped around, characters — based on prior scenes — appeared in places where they couldn't have been, and it did not have any coherence. So, I just checked around for the runtime of the film, and guess what I found? The film is listed as being 109 minutes. The version I saw in the theater was in the 80 minute range. That is nearly a half an hour that has been cut. That is completely unacceptable.
This begs the question, why? Why did you feel the need to cut all of this footage out? Have you even watched this bastardization? Not everyone is interested solely in the action; we need to have a coherent story as well. The film as it stands lacks so much, I can only imagine what is supposed to be there.
With that out of the way, let's take a look at what was released to theaters.
The story is simple. There is a village in Thailand where the people have raised elephants for as long as they can remember. They raise them in hopes that one would be chosen to be the king's elephant. It is said that when the Thai king rode into battle, he did so on the back of an elephant, upon which he would draw his strength. Cam, played by Tony Jaa, is raised in this village, where he bonds with the elephants, and learns the ways of a protector of the elephants, to which he aspires.
Article comments
1 - Foywonder
Actually, no, it didn't get heavily edited. The original versions story really is that damn bad. Great action (especially in the last half hour) but everything else is truly awful.
2 - Chris Beaumont
I'm not expecting any great difference in the story, just a little cohesion to what is there. Also, how can you say it wasn't heavily edited when the original was 109 minutes and this is 80? I would say a half hour cut is pretty heavily edited.
3 - Foywonder
This version is 80 minutes? They must have made more edits because I remember reading an online review of the Weinstein Bros. Americanized version a few months back saying it was virtually the same cut as the original. I guess they did indeed unleash the editors on it after all. Having seen the original, I can honestly say they could make the movie shorter but I doubt they could make it better.
4 - DMAX
Tom-Yum Goong (The Protector)
Master Version - 101min. This full movie version is truely impresive. Crisp Clear, DVD menu, and scene selection w/English Subtitles.
Without question, this movie involves the longest action ass kicking takes ever. Like the part when young man with the red scarf - enters the tower looking for the boss. He destroys the place in the light of a universal truth.
Tony Jaa is one of the top martial artist today. Performing realistic head kicking, ass wopping, ground shacking, tittie licking, visual kung fu action stimulation. go see this movie just for the action and cinematic scenes, just for that it's worth it. Get it Today!
5 - Mike Mosher
I have seen the original cut of this film a while ago, and yes there were some important scenes cut out. the most important of which is the scene showing Mark the poiceman aresting a friend of his who is robbing a liquor store. He lets him go, and latter we see him killing the guy in the hot tub. The conversation that follows with mark in the American version does not make sense, because that scene was left out. Also, I beleave that Kams father is latter shown alive in one of the other edited out scenes. And there were a few othe less important scenes left out as well.