The Legend of Suriyothai
| The Legend of Suriyothai | |
|---|---|
DVD box for the US release of Suriyothai.
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| Directed by | Chatrichalerm Yukol |
| Produced by |
Kamla Yukol Kim Aubry |
| Written by |
Sunait Chutintaranond (story) Chatrichalerm Yukol (screenplay) |
| Starring |
Piyapas Bhirombhakdi Sarunyu Wongkrachang Chatchai Plengpanich Johnny Anfone/ Mai Charoenpura Sorapong Chatree Amphol Lampoon |
| Music by |
Richard Harvey Michael Pärt (music editing) |
| Cinematography |
Anupap Buachand |
| Edited by | Chatrichalerm Yukol Patamanadda Yukol Francis Ford Coppola (US release) |
| Distributed by |
Sahamongkol Film International (Thailand) Sony Pictures Classics (US) |
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Release date
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August 17, 2001 (Thailand) |
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Running time
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185 min (Thailand) 142 min (US) |
| Language | Thai |
| Budget | 350,000,000 baht (estimated) |
Anupap Buachand
Stanislav Dorsic
The Legend of Suriyothai is a 2001 Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, portrays the life of a historical figure, who is regarded by Thai people as the "great feminist" Queen Suriyothai. It records the climax when she takes her battle elephant in front of the Burmese army and sacrifices herself to save the life of her king Maha Chakkraphat and his kingdom.
The story follows the course of the life of Suriyothai from her adolescence to her death. As Suriyothai is only known from three lines in a chronicle, most of the film relies on an invented story rather than claiming to be actual history. It presents a young woman, Suriyothai, of minor royal standing who has strong opinions and self-determination. The movie reveals the princess' boldness through scenes where she breaks tradition by walking among the commoners to meet her lover Prince Pirenthorathep, who in turn pledges that he will come to her aid whenever she wants.
Her father insists that she must marry Prince Thienraja, the son of the second king of the realm. In an attempt to escape a marriage she does not want, she runs away and is captured by the principal king who explains the possible problems her marriage to Piren might cause to Siam. For the good of the kingdom, she marries Prince Tien to keep peace in the royal families. From this point on she remains loyal to the man she likes but does not love and remains strongly independent.
The principal king dies, and Tien's father inherits the throne. A few years later, smallpox makes its first appearance in Siam and the king is stricken with the disease. On his deathbed he extracts a promise of support for his young son from Chai Raja, his nephew, and Tien. Burma invades in the north and Chai Raja assumes the throne to protect Siam. He executes the child king, which Tien protests but on Suriyothai's advice accepts Chai Raja as his ruler.
Chai Raja's wife, Queen Jitravadee, dies shortly after giving birth to the heir Yodfa. The king takes a new consort, Srisudachan, and has a son by her. After several years of peace, Chai Raja leaves the capital, Ayutthaya, for a military campaign in the north. Soon after, Srisudachan, descended from the deposed U-Tong dynasty, takes Boonsri Worawongsa, another U-Tong descendant, as a lover and starts plotting to take over the throne.
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