In the year 1763,
King Mangra ascended to the throne of Burma.
His first task was to suppress dissenting states of his Empire.
Ayutthaya provided aid to these city-states, fanning their rebellion.
Because of this, other states tried to separate themselves from Burma.
Thus King Mangra decided to strike at Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam.
In 1765, the King sent a large army to attack Ayutthaya from two directions.
Mangmahanoratha took 100,000 troops and marched into Siam from the west.
Another 100,000, under Commander Naymeo, marched from the north.
Bang Rajan.
Naymeo's troops didn't make it to Ayutthaya in time to meet the others.
They were held up at one small rural village.
Waves of soldiers attacked the villagers.
But against all odds, the villagers repelled them again and again.
Naymeo sent the commander and the troops to attack them
but they lost every time.
The legendary courage of the Siamese villagers
spread through the empire. This is their story.
Are you sure, Taen? The Burmese will pass through here?
What are you worried about?
We beat them every time they come... we'll beat them again this time.
Wait for me here.
You come with me.
Let's go!
Let's go! Charge!
Kill every last one of them!
Come with me.
Let's go!
The General's been hit!
The General's been hit.
Retreat! Retreat!
Food...
Taen... a whole Burmese battalion has camped in the forest.
Hurry up. Eat quickly.
The General's in bad shape. Shouldn't we pull back?
General! General!
- Taen! - Taen!
Taen's been hit!
Chorb! Ming! Summon the abbot. Quickly!
Father!
Thanks. Huh... Seems I need help just to stand up.
Don't talk like that, Taen.
Bang Rajan isn't strong with an injured leader.
The village needs to find someone strong to replace me.
There is one man. He hates the Burmese with a passion.
He's not afraid to die.
He comes from the village of Nang Buat Mountain.
Who's there? Show yourself.
Who the hell are you? You're not Burmese.
Don't you know how dangerous it is around here?
We're from Bang Rajan. We're looking for Chan Nuat-Kheo.
That's me. What do you want?
We want you to lead the village warriors of Bang Rajan.
Look at that.
They're cart tracks. So what?
See how deep they are? They're Burmese chariots.
They're taking cannons to Ayutthaya via the Prasop Canal.
The bodies you just saw were Burmese rear guards.
Your village grows bigger by the day.
I fear the Burmese may one day turn those cannons in your direction.
Chan's moustache is as long as this buffalo's horns
and he's about as smart as a buffalo too.
They flatter him well beyond the truth.
But these villagers always put their faith in whatever's new.
They'd probably see dog shit and call it gold.
Am I glad to see you here.
Same with me. Glad to be here.
Here. Blessed cloth from the abbot. For good luck. Take it.
I'd like to see the abbot.
Me too. Let's go. We'll meet back at Taen's place.
Let's go.
Hey!
What can I do
to make them show me a little respect?
Huh...
Look at you.
Drunk as a dog.
Chan. How are you?
Fit to fight, Holy Father.
I didn't think you'd ever leave Nang Buat Mountain.
Long ago I asked you to go live in the jungle. You refused.
Live in the jungle?
What about the villagers? The children?
You would have me leave them?
So how's the temple here? As good as the one at Nang Buat?
My task is to preach and to teach. That's enough.
Father, how are you?
I'm fine.
How are you, my little novice? I haven't seen you for so long.
It's wartime, yet I'm not hurt or sick, so I guess I'm very well.
Who asked you to become a novice monk?
The abbot ordained me.
You were gone so long we didn't know what had happened to you.
And the abbot said by making merit I could help you, wherever you were.
Bless you.
Your mother would be so proud of you. May she rest in peace.
Taen! This is Chan.
Taen, there was no need for you to come.
I was going to see you after I'd spoken to the abbot.
Chan, I've got something to tell you.
I want to speak in front of the abbot,
in front of Buddha and everyone in the temple.
The abbot has told me a lot about you,
that you're a skilled man.
It's like this village no longer has a strong leader.
Especially now that I'm injured,
the village lacks good commanders.
Chan, can you lead Bang Rajan?
We are just vigilantes.
But if you think I can do it, I will not refuse you.
You decide how you want us to man the shifts.
This is where the village wall erodes. This is the rear of the camp.
There's a winding canal that serves as another wall.
Every time the Burmese have attacked, they've been unable to pass here.
It's difficult to move an army through.
This man's a good fighter.
He's a drunkard, but he's highly skilled.
He always escapes and comes back wearing Burmese armour like this.
Take him back to the camp.
What do you think of Chan going to live in the jungle?
Isn't he worried about his wife and children?
Or is his family dead already?
Why are you so interested in Chan?
It's just the two of us here
and you're much more interesting than anyone else.
Bua!
My Bua!
I've seen the cannon tracks of the Burmese.
I've spoken with Taen already. We think we should have cannons too.
I've written a formal request for arms. I need someone to take it to Ayutthaya.
Let's go.
Wait for me here.
They're coming!
They're here! They're here!
How much longer do we have to wait?
Exactly.
Something to eat?
Thanks.
Most people upcountry are fleeing their villages and coming here.
But you people seem intent on challenging the Burmese army.
What the hell are you Bang Rajan people thinking?
The truth is we're not from Bang Rajan.
We're originally from Ban Sri Bua Thong.
We farmed and hunted and led a peaceful life - just ordinary people.
Hey! Keep your mind on the job and you won't hurt yourself.
They say you shouldn't spill blood at an ordination ceremony.
- Quick. Clean it up. - What's wrong with you?
You're not yourself lately.
Hey! What's taking Taeng-Onn so long?
- Ouch! Let me go! - I'll let you go and take you to grandma.
Hey! Stop that. Taeng-Onn, let him go.
You'll rip his ear off.
Look at the size of that boar.
Inn must have shot it, right?
No. It was Meuang.
On second thoughts, it's not that big. Could hardly make a curry from it.
Meuang, you're not much of a hunter, are you?
Tell me straight. You didn't kill that boar, did you?
Well? Got nothing to say?
Or did you just forget to brush your teeth?
Say what you like.
But one day, it'll be my sword that protects you.
Hey! Som!
Som! Are you back on leave?
No. I deserted. And brought these three with me.
I'm back for my son's ordination.
Just don't tell my mother. She'll make a big deal of it.
Juk! Chaem!
Juk, your father's home!
Father!
Run, mother, run!
Don't!
Let me go. Let me go.
Inn! Help me! Let go of me!
Hey! Meuang...
After that, the Bang Rajan villagers invited the survivors
to join with them and take refuge in the village.
We were all united in our hatred of the Burmese.
Our numbers swelled by the day.
We knew we could not run. We would face the Burmese together.
Around that time I teamed up with a crazy drunkard
by the name of Tong-Menn.
Even the monks left the priesthood to take up arms.
Soon the local temple was empty.
We might as well check the temple.
Hey! Don't kill him.
I ask you to spare this life for my sake.
But Father, he's Burmese.
Are the Burmese not also men, men just like you?
They know pain just as we all do.
I cannot flout your wishes, Holy Father.
Where do you come from?
We come from Bang Rajan.
We've come to invite you to reside in our temple.
To be our spiritual guide.
Thus the revered monk Thammachote joined the villagers of Bang Rajan.
And the villagers found in him the will, spirit and inspiration
they needed to win every time they fought.
So you wear that sacred cloth into battle every time?
That's right.
What must I do to get a charm like this?
You've been very kind and we have nothing to give you in return.
If you'd like this cloth, please take it.
Really? You'd really give this?
Has a decision been made, Sir?
May you have a long, healthy life.
Next time you offer, you must keep some food for yourself.
And your son. How is he?
Dead. That's why I'm offering you food.
So he may have a full stomach in the afterlife.
Taen. Can you sharpen my sword?
Sure.
Wait a minute.
Whose axe is that? It's huge.
It's Tong-Menn's. Just looking at it gives me a sore arm.
Tong-Menn, the drunkard? What's he like anyway?
I've asked the same question myself. I still know nothing.
All I know is he came here on a cart, drunk as a dog.
And he's never sobered up.
Tong-Menn!
Here are your axes.
You're an expert axeman. Why don't you teach the villagers your skills?
I'm not a teacher.
Why do I have to teach? We're all going to die anyway.
Drunk as a dog. And you talk like a dog too.
Hey! What did you say?
If you drink yourself to death
what good will you be when the Burmese come?
Chan! They're back from Ayutthaya.
Ayutthaya hasn't given us any cannons.
They would not help us. They've given us nothing.
They're afraid that if Bang Rajan falls, the Burmese will have more guns.
Anyway... you did your best.
Well, if it's like that, we're on our own
even more so than before.
I think we should build lookouts in the trees.
Man them 24 hours a day.
It'd be like expanding the village wall.
We'll have more time to prepare if we see them coming.
Stupid idea.
Why wait? Better we attack them
than sit here and wait for them.
I agree.
You don't know what you're talking about.
If we do it this way, we'll be safer than before.
Surely you see that.
Let me take this watch.
Inn! Don't go!
You're dead, you are all dead.
Blang!
I'm not staying here any longer!
Let me go!
Blang, calm down.
Calm down first. This is Inn. Your friend! I'm still alive. It's okay.
But you're going to die! I won't let my family die here.
I'm going to move us somewhere else.
Can't you see? The Burmese are coming.
Hurry up, Taeng-Onn.
The abbot gave us this medicine. He said with this he'll soon be better.
Don't worry, Mali.
He's been talking about fleeing to Ayutthaya for days now.
If he does, I'll have to go with him.
I can't leave him alone.
Open the gates!
Is that you, Chan?
Come in. Have something to eat and drink.
I didn't wake you?
Some nights I don't sleep at all.
I used to do the night watch like you're doing now.
Chan, that day when you were talking about asking Ayutthaya for cannons
I felt good we had such a strong leader as you.
I even dreamed
of firing those cannons at the damned Burmese myself.
If only we had those cannons. Things would be so much easier.
I think I need to be stricter with the villagers.
What do you say?
I made you the leader.
Do what you must.
Stop!
We've brought you some blankets for the journey.
Have a safe trip.
Your boy will be all grown up next time we meet.
Thanks. You're good friends.
Good luck!
Taeng-Onn... you scared me.
Why are you following me?
First promise me you won't tell anybody.
I promise.
I want you to teach me how to fight.
I thought you said I'm no good with my sword. What changed your mind?
Are you going to teach me or not?
Ask me nicely first.
Go on. "Please, Meuang."
Please, Meuang.
Yuck! This makes my skin crawl.
Changed my mind. I don't want to learn now.
Your wrists are too small. Your hands are as soft as a baby's bottom.
You're too weak to hold a sword.
- You're better off in the kitchen. - Stop looking down on me.
Just kidding.
I... erm... just wanted to say that you're pretty.
Too pretty to be killing anybody.
If you're afraid the Burmese will cut your throat, I'll protect you.
I'll make sure you won't even get the tiniest scratch.
I'll even lay down my life for you.
Time to go.
I meant what I said.
- Hey! Where are you going? - Back home.
But that's my house.
Idiot!
Why are you here at this hour?
We need something sacred from you.
To protect us during battle.
Well, I don't have anything like that here.
Sacred things... They only exist in your mind.
If it's all the same, could we please have the cloth upon which you sit?
Tong-Menn!
Drunk as a skunk all day.
Take this. It's from the monks to bring us good luck.
It'll protect you from the enemy and your own foolhardiness.
Tie it around your arm like Chan did. Then no weapon can pierce your skin.
Hey!
Tong-Menn, you fool!
- What did you hit me for? - You were right!
No weapon can pierce your skin, it just makes a lump.
Idiot!
Better you steal some armour from the Burmese.
I've seen thousands of men wearing that cloth you've got on.
Thousands of dead men!
See these banana trees? Let's say they're the Burmese.
This is what I'm going to do to them...
Hey!
What the hell are you doing?
You're destroying all the banana trees!
I want to be able to take care of myself, whatever happens.
I want to survive.
So do you really know how to fight?
Sure. I've been secretly watching the men practice.
You think you're going to get good that way?
Go back inside. Into the kitchen. I'm hungry.
What do you think, Tong Sangyai?
There's enough food to go around.
But it won't last.
We need to stock up.
I heard the villagers from Ban Krab talking.
They said when they fled, their rice was almost ready for harvesting.
It'd be ready by now.
You look after the harvesting.
We'll keep lookout around the perimeter.
Sa! Sa! You're tired. Rest.
Sa, what's wrong with you?
Are you pregnant?
Does your husband know?
Not yet.
I saw Mali's family.
I don't want to end up like Mali.
Where's my wife?
She fainted. She's over there.
I don't want Inn to worry about me.
But...
Meuang said you fainted.
Or are you just lazy? Pretending to faint
so you two can sit and gossip.
What the! Your wife faints and then you speak to her like that!
In that case take a break. I'll harvest in your place.
And I'll harvest in your place!
There's no need!
Inn! Meuang!
Tong-Menn! How did you get here?
I got lost for a while but I found my way here.
And how did you folks get here?
The same way you did.
Chan. Where have you been?
Seeing the Burmese! They've taken prisoners too.
Where? How many?
About 30 soldiers. They've taken 20 prisoners.
They're passing through the next field.
What should we do? We haven't finished the harvest!
Wait for all of them to get to the hill.
Then I'll give the order.
Kill them all. If we don't, we'll never get to harvest the rest of the rice.
Inn, go to the hill.
You - there.
The rest come with me.
Quickly!
Quick! Don't dawdle! Walk faster!
- Quick! - Faster! Faster!
- Hurry up! - Walk faster!
- Faster! - Don't dawdle!
- Quick! - Walk faster!
- Hurry up! - Faster! Faster!
Quick.
- Walk faster! - Don't dawdle!
Faster!
Don't cry, baby.
What the hell is wrong with you? Walk faster!
Wait for Chan's order.
I can't go on...
Get up right now! Let's go!
Don't go, Tong-Menn!
Fire!
- Follow them! - Kill them!
Ee!
- He's going to die. - Open your eyes!
Help!
Tong-Menn! Ee's going to die!
Ee, open your eyes!
- Ee, get up! Open your eyes! - Don't die!
Duang and Tong Sangyai, take Tong-Menn and lock him up.
Are you angry that Chan has put Tong-Menn in jail?
I see both sides.
As far as I'm concerned, the only enemy is the Burmese.
Come on, do your work!
Hurry! Quick! Don't waste time.
Hurry!
- Hurry! - Don't waste time!
Hurry and do your work!
Taeng-Onn. What are you doing out at this time?
I have something to tell you, Inn.
I didn't mean to wake you.
Go back to sleep.
I'm awake now. I'll get some water for you...
You don't have to. I'll do it myself.
But I always do it for you.
You don't have to do anything now.
You don't have to get the water.
You don't have to pound the rice, either.
I'll do all your tasks now.
The neighbours will say I don't look after my husband.
Taeng-Onn told me everything.
It sobered me right up.
I'm so happy.
If it's a boy I'll have him ordained.
Why didn't you tell me? It's a sin to keep secrets from your husband.
Hey, just kidding. Don't get upset.
Sa...
...why are you crying?
Is there something else?
I saw Mali and her baby in wartime.
Her husband was so distracted with worry he got injured in battle.
I don't want to see that happen to you.
I don't want you to die like Blang did.
Go to sleep.
We can learn from Blang and Mali's situation.
We'll never be like them. Ever.
Now I understand what Tong-Menn meant.
We can't wait for the Burmese. We have to take the fight to them.
The last time I was on watch
I saw some Burmese deserters coming downstream.
It gave me an idea. The way to attack them is by water.
If everybody agrees then let's do it.
But who's going to keep lookout here?
- You can man the watch, Sing. - Why me?!
We can't take a big group, Sing. Some of us have to stay.
You stay back too, Meuang. Stay and protect the village.
But Inn, I want to go too.
You can't. Chan will notice if too many of us are gone.
Let's go.
Tonight we slit the throat of a Burmese general!
Where are you going?
We're fleeing the Burmese. We're heading to Bang Rajan.
Is this the right way?
Go straight ahead. There'll be someone to tell you the way.
Wait!
What's inside your cart?
Don't let him get away!
Kill him!
They are coming. Retreat!
Don't let them get away!
Chan, they're coming from behind!
Inn! Inn?!
Let me out, Chan, let me out!
Quick. Get inside. Hurry.
Kaew!
Let me out!
Let me out! Let me out!
Block them! They're coming, get in here!
Taeng-Onn!
Answer me this. It was your watch.
How the hell could the Burmese get into the village?
Why do you look at Inn like that? Why are you accusing him?
You can see he's injured from the fight with the Burmese.
That's enough, Meuang.
It's my fault.
I left my post.
I took a group to kill the Burmese general at their camp.
I'm beyond forgiveness. I accept whatever punishment you see fit.
- Cut off his head. - No!
Yes! He deserves to die.
I can't allow it.
Inn did what he thought was right.
He risked his life to try to kill the Burmese general.
Think about it. Anyone else here brave enough to try that?
Inn. You know yourself you were wrong.
Make it your first and last mistake.
What? Look at what we've lost. That's all he gets? A reprimand?
So cut his head off yourself.
Inn! You killed my son!
Sa!
Sa! Sa!
Sa!
Sa! Sa!
Inn.
Sa... I was wrong to leave you.
Wrong to leave my watch.
Wrong to lead my friends to their deaths.
I swear I'll make up for all my mistakes.
I've heard the Burmese have destroyed all but Ayutthaya.
Is Ayutthaya going to help us?
If they don't, we should join the Burmese.
Being a Burmese slave is better than being dead.
I've never seen you up here before.
I've got something to tell you.
The villagers are leaving in droves.
Women, children... everybody...
They get as much as a scratch and they're up and gone.
Tong-Menn. Why did you choose to live here?
I didn't.
I got drunk one day and fell asleep in the back of somebody's cart.
When I woke up I was here.
Sometimes I wish I was like you. No responsibilities.
The truth is I should just go back and live in the jungle.
I wouldn't have to be responsible for the lives of others.
Chan...
What I wanted to tell you was... you've done all that you could do.
Those of us left know it's a fight to the death.
We don't know when we'll die.
All we know is what's here and now.
Meuang.
I used to think only my father worried about me.
But then I saw you risk your life to save me.
Now I know you care about me as well.
You know? When I first came to Bang Rajan, I liked to visit this place.
I'd sit and think about starting a family here.
Maybe set up a small farm.
So, Taeng-Onn? Will you come and live with me?
Inn, are you planning to protect your family with that little bow?
It's for our child to play with.
How old will he be when he starts playing with that?
One day I'll teach him to use it to protect you.
Taen. Maybe you should leave for Ayutthaya while you still can.
I should stay here. I'm not going anywhere.
Chan, look at my wounds.
If I go in a carriage, I'd probably die before I got to Ayutthaya.
If I stay here, do you think somebody like me
can be of any use?
Lots of people have gone.
We've hardly got any fighters left.
What's your plan, Chan?
Ayutthaya wouldn't help, so I've come along instead.
I've brought plans - we can make our own cannons.
There's not enough metal around here.
It and Prom! Help us get the armour off the cart.
Come on! Stronger!
Give me a hand.
Fire!
Bang Rajan has defeated our battalion yet again.
If we don't destroy them now before more join them
they'll keep coming at us from the rear.
We'll be fighting on two fronts.
Prepare arms. Get ready. We'll go to Wisetchaichan Camp.
General Naymeo! General Naymeo!
General Naymeo!
Our troops on the northern front are waiting for us at Ayutthaya.
But we can't get past this damned village.
What's the problem, Mang-Changai?!
What are you afraid of? Keep dragging it!
Bring whoever is in charge to me!
Suki, you're in charge of the Mon slaves, aren't you?
You're a brave man.
You're not worried about losing your head?
I would say a golden Buddha is
more valuable than a few pieces of fallen wood, sir.
If you, General Naymeo,
is not satisfied with this golden offering
then I suppose I must lose my head.
But who else could bring
such an offering to you, General?
Do you think you're capable
of doing what Mang-Changai cannot?
Well?!
Mang-Changai says he can't get past Bang Rajan
because of their powerful monk.
What would you do?
Kill the monk.
Bring me just the women and children.
Yes, sir.
The Burmese did this.
They took all the women and children and...
Wait for me here.
Daeng! Go and get Chan!
I'm going to kill them all, in this life and the next!
I'm going to kill them!
Help me bring them down.
We'll take them home to perform the rites.
No need.
Who are these two?
My own wife and child.
I came too late.
You know what? Every time I attacked the Burmese,
I hoped to find my wife and child.
What kind of man could do this
and then proudly display his cruelty?
I put this together for you.
You know how to do that too?
I used to have a family myself.
Don't you think I know how to pay respects to the dead?
Chan. Tong-Menn.
Your families are at peace now.
It's those of us still in this world who are suffering.
But we don't have to suffer forever.
You must teach the villagers to be strong and focused.
Believe me. Concentration leads to a clear mind.
Are you looking for trouble?
Idiots!
I'm going to cut you into pieces.
Stop!
Burmese soldiers! We have come here
to suppress resistance and take the capital city
not to ravage and murder the villagers
like a bunch of thieves!
Coward!
Because of weak thinking like that,
you let this rabble grow stronger every day!
The guns are cracked!
Inn, if there really is a next life
I want to come back as your wife.
Whether our child's a boy or girl
may it be our child in our next life as well.
Fire!
Tong-Menn!
Kill them!
Fire!
Taeng-Onn!
Inn!
Inn, if there really is a next life
I want to come back as your wife.
Whether our child's a boy or girl
may it be our child in our next life as well.
Is he using some kind of magic?
Let's see if it works.
If it's true we can't stab them, pound them over the head!
Get ready!
Fire!
So few men, and yet you see
they're not afraid to sacrifice their lives
to defend the honour of their homeland.
Their hearts are indeed brave.
If all the people of this country
have hearts like those of the Bang Rajan villagers
the war on Ayutthaya will be hard won indeed.
In the course of the Burmese conquest of Ayutthaya,
each of the Siamese regiments ultimately fled,
they didn't stay to help Ayutthaya in the fight against the Burmese.
Only Bang Rajan fought the Burmese armies.
The Bang Rajan villagers repelled the Burmese advance
eight times during 1765, and held the Burmese at bay for five months,
before they conquered the village.
Eight months later, Ayutthaya was destroyed.
Commander Taksin and his soldiers escaped from the Burmese.
And he set up a new camp at Chantabury town.
Siam remained in disarray until
the Siamese people once again were reunited into a single sovereignty
by the warrior who would become King Taksin the Great.
The Siamese had their freedom once again,
which they have retained to this day.