The King Maker (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£15.99) by Anchor Bay Entertainment on 21st March 2011. Features include trailer and 2.0 stereo and 5.1 Dolby audio options.
PRODUCER DAVID WINTERS
Probably not a name that triggers a lot of memories but a little research reveals a fascinating career for King Maker producer David Winters. From appearing in West Side Story and choreographing popcorn seat fillers like Viva Las Vegas and Pajama Party to directing a fair few cult gems, he’s been involved in over 400 film and TV projects, including Alice Cooper’s 1975 concert movie Welcome to my Nightmare and 80s Skatesploitation romp Thrashin’, not to mention nominal sequel to Maniac The Last Horror Movie and a production credit for prime 70s sexploitation Linda Lovelace for President.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The King Maker is set against the backdrop of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, a Siamese empire that existed from 1351 to 1767. Seeing The King Maker has given me a least a little more cinematic insight into Siam as my previous knowledge was limited to what I could glean from Yul Brynner in The King and I. ‘Etc, etc.’
THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE THAI FILM SINCE 1941
The King Maker should appeal to lovers of unusual movies simply because of its perculiar production background. This epic adventure movie is in fact the first film production to be shot in English in Thailand since 1941, when a propaganda heavy historical drama called King of the White Elephant was made. Released in Thailand before the country became involved in the WW2, it uses a story from a similar era to The King Maker to put forward the case of neutrality and avoiding combat.