The Iron Ladies

The Iron Ladies
by Yongyoot Thongkongtoon

The Iron Ladies
List Price: $19.99
Our Price: $4.88
You Save: $15.11 (76%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.49 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: Charnchai Nimpulsawasdi, Ekachai Buranapanit, Giorgio Maiocchi, Jesdaporn Pholdee, Sahaphap Tor
Director: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon
Cinematographer: Jira Maligool
Writer: Jira Maligool
Writer: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon
Editor: Sunij Asavinikul
Writer: Visuttchai Boonyakarnjawa
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Thai (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-11-26
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Strand Releasing

DVD Reviews of The Iron Ladies

DVD Review: a spirited, very Asian telling of a true story
Summary: 4 Stars

Since gay films are in the news (the critical acclaim earned by Brokeback Mountain), it's worth re-visiting another film about gays which touches on the same themes of love and tolerance (or intolerance): Iron Ladies, a 2000 release from Thailand.

Unlike the more serious, if not downright dour Brokeback Mountain, Iron Ladies is a spirited, very Asian telling of a wonderful story: how a group of transvestite gay males came together to form a champion volleyball team in 1996. This isn't just "based on a true story," it is a true story; the actors' even bear an uncanny resemblance to the actual guys and gals (their coach was a gay female) who lived the reality (they're shown in some clips at the end of the film).

Unlike most Western films about gays, this film isn't afraid to have fun, from the ribald gutter language to the over-the-top antics of some of the players. For added frisson, the team captain is a hetero guy who has to come to grips with his own ignorance and intolerance.

The Asian influence is very visible; at several points, a cheesy pop song breaks out for no particular reason, and the action sequences of the guys playing volleyball do not have the realism expected of a Hollywood sports film. Still, all the sports movie cliches are intact, right down to the cliff-hanger final grudge match for the national championship.

(Volleyball, it seems, is the Thai equivalent of basketball in the States, while the ultra-violent Thai kickboxing more or less assumes the role of the NFL--if football included boxing and no-holds-barred kung fu.)

Yet despite the cliches, the film perceptively imparts the swirling interplay of tolerance and intolerance within Thai society for openly gay people. Despite the cliches, we are openly rooting for the team to win, and we hope for each individual's happiness. Especially touching is the husband and wife who openly accept their son as he is, and enthusiastically celebrate his team's success.

As a footnote, it must be said that the one actor who plays a dancer is more beautiful than most women. Having seen similar guys in Thailand myself, I can only say the outward transformation of a Thai male into a female is most remarkable and most convincing.
More The Iron Ladies reviews:
1 2 3

Description of The Iron Ladies

Studio: Strand Releasing Release Date: 04/06/2006
Bestsellers in DVD
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] ImageThe Story of Jeremiah [VHS]
Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS] ImageWresting With God [VHS]
by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $19.99
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS] ImageStudy Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]
Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: $44.00
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS] ImageTempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops: $9.98
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/Party Video [VHS] ImageTempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Strike the Original Match [VHS] ImageStrike the Original Match [VHS]
New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $14.95
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] ImageMedjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]
JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008 ImageMayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008
by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops: $1,463.24
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User ImagePediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User
by Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops: $1,463.24
Cost Accounting [VHS] ImageCost Accounting [VHS]
by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Latter Days (Unrated Edition) ImageLatter Days (Unrated Edition)
TLA Releasing; Release date: 2004-09-07; Published: 2004-09-01; DVD
Best price: $10.92
Price in other shops: $19.99
Staying Together ImageStaying Together
ASTIN,SEAN; Release date: 2005-04-12; DVD
Best price: $0.83
Price in other shops: $3.98
Love of Siam ImageLove of Siam
Release date: 2009-10-13; DVD
Best price: $14.80
Price in other shops: $27.99
Harvest ImageHarvest
Release date: 2011-11-15; DVD
Best price: $10.48
Price in other shops: $19.99
Is It Just Me? ImageIs It Just Me?
TLA RELEASING; Release date: 2010-11-16; DVD
Best price: $11.13
Price in other shops: $19.99
Ong Bak 3 ImageOng Bak 3
MHE; Release date: 2011-02-08; DVD
Best price: $7.60
Price in other shops: $26.98
Ong-Bak - The Thai Warrior ImageOng-Bak - The Thai Warrior
TCFHE; Release date: 2005-08-30; DVD
Best price: $6.04
Price in other shops: $14.98
Bang Rajan ImageBang Rajan
Release date: 2005-11-08; DVD
Best price: $7.78
Price in other shops: $14.98
The Iron Ladies II ImageThe Iron Ladies II
Release date: 2004-11-09; DVD
Best price: $17.34
Price in other shops: $24.99
Beautiful Boxer ImageBeautiful Boxer
TLA Releasing; Release date: 2005-08-09; DVD
Best price: $59.94
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners