A Prayer Before Dawn

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.

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.

Really intense prison-/boxing-/survival-drama. Its shocking, uncomfortable and harsh. Fortunately I have never been to a Prison like that but It felt so real. Where did they find all these tattooed thugs? The characters are all believable and the cinematography is original. You can see an impressive "oner" during the first fight in the ring. There is very little dialog and the subtitles for are absent for most of the time. I suspect this is done on purpose to make us feel like the protagonist Billy Moore. The sound design is great! The panting is loud during some of the scenes and the clashing, sweaty bodies in the fights sound just fantastic! The only complaint that I have is that it felt a bit long because it got a little repetitive, especially during the training sessions.

Films about prisons and martial arts are usually attractive. "A Prayer Before Dawn" is a combination of the two genres and the most important: based on the true story of the English boxer William "Billy" Moore brilliantly performed by Joe Cole. The story of the addicted in heroin boxer that is arrested in Thailand and sent to a notorious prison, learning Muay Thay and winning an important tournament that changed his life gives the sensation of a documentary shot in a prison in Thailand. The plot and scenes are realistic and brutal, totally different from most of the Hollywood productions of the genre. It is not in the same level of the masterpiece "Midnight Express", but expresses the sensation of a Caucasian in a foreigner prison. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

A very brutal and realistic watch. This movie is very well made and had great acting from Joe Cole. It is good to know the context before hand of the story of Billy Moore, because this is based on a real story. Even though no one throughout the entire movie spoke english to Billy the story of his struggle was told alone by his acting, it was very emotional and heart wrenching. The movie made you feel just as alone and confused Billy Moore was in a room full of people. And to those very few people who did speak english it made you feel the hope that Billy felt for those moments. I wouldn't recommend to those who can be sensitive to the realistic elements of an extremely brutal prison and that includes gore, suicide, sexual assault, addiction to drugs, etc. Every moment throughout the movie you are always wishing the best for Billy hoping he can make it and not wanting to see him fail, and feeling great empathy for him. A lot of the movie can feel like it has no context and you can get confused and have many questions so that's why I think you should read about Billy Moores story online to answer those questions. Only complaint I have is I wish they had shed some light on Billy's life before his drug addiction began again and his life in Thailand, but the ending was a good ending leading you to go online and search up your questions. Overall very well done emotional story, good cinematography, and great acting, 9/10 I recommend to watch.