TEARS OF THE BLACK TIGER
aka FAH TALAI JONE
Year: 2000
USA: Magnolia Films
UK: Pathe Distribution
Cast: Chartchai Ngamsan, Stella Malucchi, Supakorn Kitsuwon, Arawat Ruangvuth, Sombat Medhanee, Pairoj Jaisingha, Naiyana Shiwanun, Kanchit Kwanpracha, Chamloen Sridang
Director: Wisit Sartsanatieng
Director: Wisit Sartsanatieng
Country: Thailand
Language: Thai (English subtitles)
USA: 110 mins
UK: 101 mins
UK Certificate: 18 contains frequent strong bloody violence
USA Release Date: 2 March 2007 (Limited Release - Los Angeles)
USA Release Date: 12 January 2007 (Limited release - New York)
UK Release Date: 24 August 2001
US Distributor
Synopsis
TEARS OF THE BLACK TIGER is the tragic love story of 'Rumpoey,' a daughter of a noble family, and 'Sua Dum' (the Black Tiger), an outlaw and the pawn of fate. The two lovers first met when Rumpoey's family evacuated Bangkok during World War II to stay with Dum's family in the soft countryside of Supanburi. Slowly, a gentle intimacy formed between the two children. Charged with protecting Rumpoey, Dum was struck and scarred while defending her from local ruffians. For having placed Rumpoey at risk, Dum was punished harshly. Both were to remember the incident, and each other, all of their lives. The tender seeds of love were sown.
Ten years later, they meet again at college in Bangkok. Once more, Dum steps in to protect Rumpoey, and old memories are transformed at last into full-fledged love. Dum swears that he will marry Rumpoey, after saving a little money through farm work. Rumpoey swears she will elope to be with him, if necessary. But fate has yet to play its hand. Dum returns home only to find his father killed. Seeking revenge, Dum takes up with local outlaws, led by the infamous Fai and his offsider Mahesuan. From then on, Dum becomes the outlaw Sua Dum - the Black Tiger - Fai's most trusted gunman.
Meanwhile, Rumpoey's father decides she is to be engaged to Captain Kumjorn - a young police officer sworn to rid the province o fits bandits and outlaws. Desperate to escape this, Rumpoey attempts to run away with Dum, but fate ensures that Dum cannot make the rendezvous. Once she is convinced that Dum will not come, a stricken Rumpoey agrees to the engagement. Following the announcement, the young Captain Kumjorn is captured by Fai's outlaws during a punitive raid. Dum is ordered to kill the man, but discovers instead the identity of his rival's fiance?. Unable to hurt Rumpoey, the heart-broken Dum releases the man, ready to end his own life instead. When Fai learns that Dum let the young officer escape, he asks Mahesuan to kill the traitor. But Dum escapes. Knowing that Fai will try to ambush the soldiers at Rumpoey's wedding, Dum decides to sacrifice all to save Rumpoey from danger. Will love win through? Or will the heavens strike the heart of the thief one final time?
