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Did you
know that every single movie Sombat Metanee did was released in 1976? No, just
kidding - but that year seemed to have been a very productive year not only for
Sombat but for a lot of filmmakers in Thailand
Pherg
(pronounced Peeh) Chompae (which also seem to be the name of the town) comes
back his old village to take revenge on the gangster, played by Kecha
Plianvithee, who killed his father. Pherg is also a gangster and he's come back
not only for revenge but to take over the crime business in the little town. No
one wants him back, not the other bandits and not captain Chaiyo (Nard
Poowanai). It won't take long until everyone is out to get Pherg and soon
they're also going after his family, his old girlfriend and everyone close to
him! It's time for Pherg to really clean up the trash!
What makes
Sombat unique is his willingness to take on quite complex roles and his string
of anti-heros from the seventies often outdoes both the Italian and American
counterparts. Pherg is most of the movie quite un-sympathetic, but we're still
willing to root for him. It's not only that he's very brutal, his behaviour
towards women are more than nasty and in this movie he threatens with rape not
only once but twice. But it's also a play with stereotypes, because he never
goes that far - he just like to use the words to gain power. And compared to
the real bad-bad guys he's nice in comparison.
Sombat has
always been a good-looking fellow, but it wasn't until the middle of the
seventies I think he really started to evolve when it came to the art of
acting. I think most of it is because of the anti-hero parts he got offered.
Not just playing nice and handsome, but doing more complex, multi-layered
characters. His hair got wilder together with his performances. The rest of the
cast is the usual suspect, all great: Kecha Plianvithee (who always reminds me
of Joseph Wiseman), Dam Datsakorn (really nasty in this movie), always the
good-guy Nard Poowanai and Pipop Pupinyo always doing his famous henchman with
his classic biker-moustache! There's a bunch of other actors also, of course,
but I haven't learned their names yet!
Choompae is
a good start for you who wants to start watching old Thai action movie. It has
everything and is also very well made. The direction, especially in the action
and chase-scenes, is flawless and we're also treated to some insane stunts. The
highlight being a nice fight on top of a bus that actually looks quite
dangerous!
