Nang Nak (1999)

NANG NAK tells the heartbreaking story of a loving husband and wife who are separated by war. The husband returns home to find his wife has given birth to their son. The reunion seems idyllic until Mak gradually awakens to the horrifying truth that both his wife and child had died while he was serving his country.

The Love Of A Wife: A Very Sad Ghost Story

Thailand does not have a very large pedigree when it comes to their horror films being marketed in this country; unless one can get a hold of some of the Shaw Brothers' films, many of which were filmed in Thailand. However, that is not to say that Thailand, as with many other countries, does not have its share of ghost stories. One of these is the tale of "Nang Nak." For those who are not familiar with Thailand's history, this story is a very prominent one. Moreover, this is a very sad ghost story. The scenery in the film is also a plus, and the village life where the husband Mak, and his wife Nak live gives the viewer beautiful and stunning visuals of Thailand. The fauna and flora make one feel as is if they are indeed stepping back in time into an old Thai village. I liked the film, due to the sadness the film incorporates, yet the film itself may not resonate with many other viewers. Do not expect blood and gore in this film: for it is the nuances and suggestion of horror that make this film great.

This film is based on famous Thai folklore and legend. The films narrative takes place in the 1860's: as the Thais are at war. The viewer sees in the beginning dead and dying soldiers. And it is here that the films main protagonist is introduced to the audience. His name is Mak, and he is a citizen soldier. Mak has left home to do battle with the enemy. Moreover, he has left behind his pregnant wife named Nak. I would not go so far as to say that Nak is the antagonist, as her story is a touching one that is filled with sadness. Therefore, I will just write that hers is a sad story of love which permeates the screen. When Mak is seriously wounded in battle and goes home, it is his adoring and loving wife Nak that will greet him home. But much has happened since Mak went off to do battle. [SPOILER BELOW]

Unknown to Mak, both his wife and child have died. However, when the soldier returns to his home he is unaware that anything has happened to his family as nothing seems out of place. Further, he does not know that mother and baby are really ghosts. Many people in the village warn him about what has befallen his family, including a close friend, but he refuses to listen to them. He notices that friends and fellow villagers refuse to visit him. Finally, he goes to see some Buddhist monks who in turn tell him that his wife and baby are deceased. He is told to bend over and see between his legs; then and only then will he see the truth. But he still refuses to believe anyone.

It is only when he is working in and around his hut, that he bends over and sees that the hut is decaying, the food rotted, and cobwebs covering the baby's crib that he realizes that they are indeed dead. Eventually the Buddhist monks do an exorcism ritual to rid him of the ghosts. I really liked this film, because this is a really sad ghost story, and the narrative is very well done. Nak's love was so powerful for her husband that even in death, she continued to be by his side. And this made the sadness of the film even more sad, because the wife is trying to continue this existence even though she knows she and the baby are ghosts. A really sad film, and highly recommended. [Stars: 4.5] August 7, 2006

Five stars

It's excellent.

I don't need millions of dollars in special effects and plot
twists and Bruce Willis. I wanted to see a Thai folk legend.

I wasn't disappointed. It's beautiful. The best movie I've seen to date. March 11, 2006

"Nak! Nak! -- Who's There?"

*
First off, I am in agreement with many of the voices which express dissatisfaction with the fact that promotion of this film for audiences outside of Thailand all too quickly gives away what this movie is about -- in fact, prior to its release in "NTSC/Region-1" DVD format it was marketed as "GHOST WIFE" for its (unofficial) "English" title. Secondly, I was likewise disturbed that the movie itself also all too quickly gives away what this movie is about -- it shows the "wife" in question clearly dying from complications during the childbirthing process.

There was a 'somewhat' valid reason for such early revelations, though: The story told in "Nang Nak" is a VERY common legend in its native Thailand, so Thais already know what this story is about and where it leads. The problem, however, is that the vast majority of non-Thais are not familiar with this legend, so a little "discretion" would have been in order for the benefit of the 'rest of us,' as it were. And yet, even when armed with all of this advance information, there is still a story that unfolds which deserves watching.

"Nang Nak" retells the legend of Mae Nak of Phrakhanong who is pregnant when her husband, Mak, gets conscripted into combat service. When Mak barely survives and is on the verge of death as a result of his combat wounds, while most of his unit lies dead or dying on the battlefield, he is taken in and cared for by the area Buddhist temple. When Mak has made a full recovery, the high dignitary monk of the temple informs him that in order to relieve himself of his "bad karma" he should seriously give consideration to dedicating his life at that temple (perhaps the monk is aware of something that Mak is not?). Mak promises to return to the temple after he has taken care of family obligations. Without question or hesitation, the monk allows Mak to face his fate. When Mak arrives back at his canal hut he finds his devoted wife waiting there for him, carrying their infant son in her arms.

Now we already know that Nak is dead -- the dambed unofficial 'English title' of this movie told us so; the tense scene of her dying while giving birth told us so! But still, we don't lose interest in the story, for the simple fact that "Mak" is the only one who is not yet aware of the grim reality. This seems to be the real story being told by this movie -- not that everybody and their grandfather knows that Nak and her baby are dead, but that Mak himself has no knowledge of it and is completely oblivious to that fact, though it is plainly obvious to all others. So the main thrust of the movie is not so much about a "ghost wife" who is strongly devoted to her husband beyond the grave, but rather it is more precisely about how long she can keep up the deception and prevent her husband from discovering the horrible truth.

While it may not exactly be the best movie ever to come out of Thailand, it is certainly one of the better ones, and it has any number of things working in its favor, especially its beautiful-- and sometimes haunting --cinematography. (If judging this movie on its cinematic aesthetic alone, it would rate "4-1/2" stars easy!) Of all of the films made about the legend of Mae Nak, this one was by far its most successful endeavor.

Unfortunately, it is precisely because of the "early reveals" that I cannot in good conscience rate this movie with anything higher than "3-1/2" out of 5-stars. Even with a story that is widely familiar to its audience, there's still something to be said for not giving away its juiciest parts "up front."

(The legend of Mae Nak is said to be based on a "true story," though any actual evidences for its veracity seem very scant.) March 6, 2006

A ghostly love tainted by fate.

"Nang Nak" (or "Ghost Wife") is set in the late 1860s and is based on a Thai legend of the supernatural. When war comes to Thailand, a young husband, Mak, leaves his newly pregnant wife and goes off to fulfill his duty as a soldier. A serious wound leaves Mak convalescing in Bangkok for many months, but eventually he becomes strong enough to return home. There he reunites with his devoted wife, Nak, and finally sees their infant son. However, it soon becomes evident that Nak's labor pains caused a singular transformation in her. The other villagers have come to fear Nak--and for good reason.

"Nang Nak" set box office records in Thailand when it was released in 1999. It even managed to outsell James Cameron's "Titanic" in that country, and it is easy to see why. Filmed among menacing rivers and lush jungles, "Nang Nak" is a visually stunning film grounded in a solid story line. From the beautiful shots of Thailand's flora and fauna to the chilling supernatural scenes (which occasionally have the slightest--and rather surprising--hint of Sam Raimi's distinctive cinematic style), director Nonzee Nimibutr immerses his audience in an enchanted world. If the film can be criticized for one thing, however, it may be said that the devotion paid to Image is too zealous. The actors chosen for the two lead roles sport close-trimmed modern hairstyles and ideal physiques, and this works against their credibility as village peasants. Also, some of the most evocative nature sequences in the film are edited too aggressively; hence these images are denied some of the power they might have achieved in the hands of, say, Werner Herzog or Terrence Malick. Even so, "Nang Nak" has plenty of power and poetry to spare.

(A cultural/historical note: The unusual and rather startling blackened teeth of the villagers in the film are due to the practice of chewing beechnuts. Notice that at a certain point in the film one of these nuts is placed in a corpse's mouth as it is prepared for burial.) March 21, 2004

Slow Moving, Romantic Thai Ghost Story

Nang Nak is a well known and regarded Thai folk/ghost tale. Many believe the story is true. There have been approximately 2 dozen theatrical and television films dealing with the legend over the past few decades in Thailand, but I haven't seen any of them before and was not familiar with the story. ...This is a high quality, rather arty type of film exploring a well-known Thai folk legend (that many believe is true) which will be unfamiliar to most Westerners. I had no knowledge of the legend and was able to enjoy the film, though it moved slower than I would have liked. It's a beautiful shot and edited film. The acting is adequate. I felt no burning chemistry which made the romantic elements of the film's first hour rather flat. The special effects are limited but very effective and well done. If you want something a little different, foreign, low-key but effective and chilling this one's for you. The DVD's a little
pricey but it might be difficult to find at rental outlets.

Three and a half stars rounded up... December 1, 2002

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