A Prayer Before Dawn

The story tells about Billy Moore, who is detained for property of drugs in a notorious jail of Thailand. He has to struggle with the dialy impassable conditions of that jail. The rawness and dirty atmosphere of this movies seems so real. So it's easy to suffer with the main character. There are special rules that are hard to keep. So it's hard to see how Billy struggles with his fate. The more to be enlighted with the course of the story. Billy keeps on surviving. ...

I would recommend that movie on open minded people who want to look outside the box to get a new view about other parts of the world. We are used to have good conditions around, but a few people in the rest of the world. Have to manager very more difficult situations, that any of us would bear.

It's not a typical movie... it's a slow, realistic, painful movie, about what happens inside a Thai prison, which is basically hell, Don't expect to see an action movie, it is not, and do expect to see some horrible and disturbing sites. It's important to anyone to see this movie, as it also has educational value. The Thai boxing is just a minor part of the movie, and a tool to show how far a man is willing to go, how much suffer, to get a redemption, and fight his inside demons. Amazing camera work, and the acting of all actors especially the Thai prisoners (most participant are not actors at all) is fabulous. It looks so real you almost forget it's a movie and not a real life documentary. The leading actor in this movie is a brave guy to take such a hard role, which required a lot of practice and preparations. I highly recommend you watch it, some scenes in this movie you will never forget.

Real story, real people, real locations...this movie is as real as it gets. Took my breath away honestly. It doesnt happen offen that i feel a movie and the emotions of a character that intens. Its a experience. I am a director too, and judge a lot of movies because i think i could have done them better. But this one is on another level. What the director did is truly amazing. An impressive and intimidating masterpiece!!

This is not your typical Hollywood production, but wow was it produced really well.

The score was perfect. The setting outstanding. The cinematography on point. The acting by all cast - even extras (mostly ex-convicts) was very convincing and intense, and Joe Cole nailed his role. The directing was fairly decent although the last fight scene was just too many close ups.

My main beef is the writing - either bad editing or cutting by the director. There were too many scenes that were missing info, such as what did the letters from his dad say? Why even have that in the film if it wont be elaborated. My other beef is the lack of subtitles where subtitles were needed (90% of the film). I'm not sure if it was my copy missing all the important dialogue subtitled, or the actual film, but I was left unsatisfied not knowing what everyone was saying, or at least many important scenes.

Nevertheless, a really intense film based on a true story, filmed really well overall. A great watch, especially if you're into the martial arts and Muay Thai. A well deserved 8/10 from me.

Joe Cole gives a ferocious performance in this relentlessly intimidating crime/biopic based on an english boxer (Billy Moore) who gets incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison, the "Bangkok Hilton."

This is visceral and often unwatchably brutal stuff. At times watching it felt pretty much like getting a knife to the gut, especially in one unbearable scene that I don't want to spoil, plus it's a bit to graphic to explain. The director also opts for no subtitles, so unless you speak thai, it instantly gives you a claustrophobic feeling, thus putting us right inside the prison house of Billy's mind. Don't let that deter you as there is dialogue, and what it lacks in, Joe Cole makes up for with a sensational display as he captures his character's relentless aggression and the low cunning he needs to survive whilst also showing us Billy's humanity and very occasional moments of vulnerability. It was 100% method-style madness, so kudos to Joe Cole for a Performance I really can't commend enough.

The fight scenes were well shot and included some awesome knockouts that seemed completely real, especially the first fight he has in prison, wow! The tattoo-covered convicts are terryfying and all sensational supporting actors.

All in all, amateur director Jean-Stephane Sauvaire has masterfully crafted a brutal biopic that packs one hell of a poetic punch! Must see! Check us out on Instagram @MovieFest