King of the White Elephant (1940)

Original title

พระเจ้าช้างเผือก

Directed by

Sunh Vasudhara, Pridi Banomyong

Genre

drama film

Country

Thailand

Runtime

1h 40m

Rating

9.0 of 10 from 1 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

In 1940, a Thai king decides to keep his country out of war unless invaded. The film argues for neutrality and defending sovereignty. Based on a novel by one of its makers, it was released just before Thailand entered World War II.

patriotichistoricalstatelyseriousdidacticslow-pacedformalidealistic

What happens

The King of the White Elephant (Thai: พระเจ้าช้างเผือก, RTGS: Phra Chao Chang Phueak) is a 1940 Thai historical drama film. Based on a novel by Pridi Banomyong, who was also the producer, and released before Thailand's involvement in World War II, the English-language film carried a propaganda message from anti-war interests in Thailand, that Thailand should remain neutral, and only go to war to defend its sovereignty against foreign invaders. However, on December 8, 1941, Thailand was occupied by the Japanese and officially sided with the Axis powers during the war. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

• ไม่เคยรัก (1940)
• Chom Chai Ayothaya
• Bang Rajan 2 (2010)
• The King Maker (2005)
• Nang Mahawi ang Ulap (1940)
• Nueng Nai Roi
• Thai Thief (2006)
• Bang Rajan (2000)