A Prayer Before Dawn

The fact that this is a true story just gives me the shivers! Well played by Joe Cole, the directing and casting, top notch. I actually thought they were real prisoners until I found out that they all were ex-cons. The acting was that good. One of the few movies I didn't want to end! Very very good stuff.

Not a quite enjoyable movie, but a good one, not a fighting movie either, but a good view on the atmosphere in an asian prison. Unfortunately the fight choregraphics are quite bad, but the surrounding, acting and mood is excellent.

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!!

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.

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