Ong-Bak: Muay Thay Warrior (The 1st Film) UK Blu-ray?

[ps3bd_owner]

I adore watching this film countless times but it's on DVD, however, does anyone know why they haven't released this epicness of a film in UK yet?

It's in other parts of Europe but with no English subs as far as I know. Darn it, I really want this but the US BD is a no-go, because of the region lock.

[ravenus]

^If one goes by the review of the US BD the HD upgrade is not really worth it. Also the UK Premier Asia 2-DVD set had one of the best extras packages for the movie. I think that label is defunct so I doubt that package will be replicated.

[Natty]

I emailed the company which owns the rights in the UK a few months ago and they said the have no plans to release it.

[ps3bd_owner]

Originally Posted by ravenus

^If one goes by the review of the US BD the HD upgrade is not really worth it. Also the UK Premier Asia 2-DVD set had one of the best extras packages for the movie. I think that label is defunct so I doubt that package will be replicated.

I'm aware that the US BD isn't really all that good but it's still an improvement from the DVD version.

Originally Posted by Natty

I emailed the company which owns the rights in the UK a few months ago and they said the have no plans to release it.

Aw shoot, so there's no hope for a UK BD.

[Nisei]

Any word on the quality of the German release?

[manicsounds]

Originally Posted by Natty

I emailed the company which owns the rights in the UK a few months ago and they said the have no plans to release it.

And since Cine-Asia is having trouble staying afloat, we won't expect it from them.

[drees5761]

I think all releases, including the Hong Kong one, have the awful Luc Besson edited version with the rap soundtrack.

[ps3bd_owner]

Originally Posted by Nisei

Any word on the quality of the German release?

One of the reviews at Amazon.de said that the quality was disappointing. It had 2 or 3 stars at max.

Originally Posted by drees5761

I think all releases, including the Hong Kong one, have the awful Luc Besson edited version with the rap soundtrack.

I can't really stand watching this film with a replacement score, it has to be the original soundtrack.

[manicsounds]

Well, the UK DVD didn't have the original Thai music or the Luc Besson music. They had their own.

[ps3bd_owner]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

Well, the UK DVD didn't have the original Thai music or the Luc Besson music. They had their own.

That's why I sent back the 2 Disc Edition back, as the film didn't have the authentic score all interest was gone.

For the record, I once bought the UMD (PSP) version and it featured the original soundtrack, but not really worth it on PSP. Unless the viewer's going to watch it while on a trip or so.

[Sky_Captain]

The original score is crap, IMO. The UK one was actually an improvement, as far as I'm concerned, as was the Initial D UK score.

I don't remember the Besson version too much, but I did own the Madman Australian DVD and that had it included.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Can someone please tell me the best release for Ong Bak? I don't mind buying dvd considering how poor the BD quality in the US is.

[Sky_Captain]

Get the local Madman release, (I see you're in Australia). If it's extras, see if you can source the UK Premier Asia release on the cheap.

The image isn't the best on any of the releases, due to the low budget nature of the film.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Get the local Madman release, (I see you're in Australia). If it's extras, see if you can source the UK Premier Asia release on the cheap.

The image isn't the best on any of the releases, due to the low budget nature of the film.

What's the difference between the extra's on the Premier Asia and Cineasia releases? I'll probably get either of the UK releases because even dvd's are obnoxiously expensive in Australia (very often over $20 for titles like Ong Bak). So What's the difference? I noticed that the Cineasia release is packed full of special features too.

According to amazon.co.uk the special features for the cineasia release are as follows:
2 Disc Ultimate Edition
- Over 5 hours of amazing bonus material
- Exclusive brand-new orchestral soundtrack, composed especially for the UK theatrical and DVD Release
- DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track
- Dual LAnguage format (English Dubbed and Thai Language with re-mastered English Subtitles)
- Audio Commentary with HK expert Bey Logan
- 'The Road To Glory': a fascinating 8-part ""Making Of"" documentary that will take you behind-the-scenes of each of the movie's groundbreaking action-sequences
- 'The Art Of Muay Thai': an exclusive documentary on the art of Thai boxing
- 'From Dust To Glory': a revealing interview with Tony Jaa
- 'Ong Bak On Tour : Promo tour highlights including incredible live martial arts demonstrations by Tony Jaa
- 7 Deleted scenes and alternative ending
- 'Visible Secret': a rare and exclusive rehearsal montage featuring Tony Jaa and action consultant Don Ferguson
- 'The Bodyguard': an interview with action-consultant, Don Ferguson
- 'Mad Dog': an interview with co-star David Ismalone
- 'Pearl Harbour': an interview with co-star Erik Markus Sheutz
- Trailers

[ravenus]

^Same as my Premier Asia set.

[Indy007]

I'm a little concerned with Blu Ray in general if a film as popular as Ong Bak isn't even released in the UK yet.

I bought the 2 disc edition UK DVD for £1.27 total from Zoverstocks. Good enough for me but shame about no Blu Ray release. The other Ong Baks are just not as good as the first one.

Tony Jaa really dropped the ball on his career, hardly anything in the pipe line and really only 2 really good films under his belt. Lack of personality a factor?

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by Indy007

Tony Jaa really dropped the ball on his career, hardly anything in the pipe line and really only 2 really good films under his belt. Lack of personality a factor?

Probably just no good idea's left. Maybe he could make a MA movie set entirely within a helecopter flying over an ocean while someones pouring blood and animals into the water making it an immediate death trap for anyone who falls. There's also an elephant that can speak and break dance. That ought to revive his career.

Also worth pointing out, I think Iko Uwais has kinda replaced him. Personally I think Iko is a better actor but they're also both martial artists and both actually look really similar. Do a direct comparison here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3299397/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1388074/

I think the world is over Tony and has welcomed Iko with opened arms. He's more interesting overall and has shown a lot more promise. Still, I wouldn't mind getting the first Ong Bak. It's been ages since I've seen it.

[digitalboy909]

dude i agree!! no ong bak on blu ray in uk...i want it!!! i sure hope it comes out in uk one day?

[Leterface]

Finally caved in for the Hong Kong BD - it has much better PQ than the US BD, should be similar in quality of the French BD. But the French BD only has a English dub, while the Region A locked HK BD has English subtitles. Can't wait to see it!

[WaverBoy]

I just watched my Premier Asia DVD of this. The film holds up wonderfully and the orchestral score is definitely an improvement over the original score. I’d love for this version to hit Blu. At least the DVD looks ok.