Epic action

Capt. Bird brings the legend to life

By Tatat Bunnag

Hitting cinemas this week is The Legend of King Naresuan 3, the third installment of the big-budget historical film franchise directed by veteran filmmaker Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (Tan Mui).

Part three continues the story of King Naresuan the Great, the Thai king who fought against invading Burmese troops during the Ayutthaya period.

In part three, King Naresuan is once again played by 38-year-old Wanchana Sawasdee, better known as Capt. Bird. Being a real-life military man in the Royal Thai Army, Capt. Bird always excels in the battle sequences of the King Naresuan films.

Student Weekly recently had an exclusive interview with Capt. Bird to ask about his role as the great warrior king and the latest film in the action-packed series.

Student Weekly: How does it feel to act in the King Naresuan series?

Capt. Bird: I'm so proud and overwhelmed. I've been invited to give many speeches about my role in The Legend of King Naresuan, and that has helped me to understand the character well.

I've learned a lot from making the films, and they've made me really love what I do. Once the filming is finished, I'll dedicate myself to the army even more than before.

Student Weekly: What's the hardest part of playing King Naresuan?

Capt. Bird: The hardest part was when I first started researching information about King Naresuan. I read a lot and talked to many people, but nobody knows what King Naresuan was really like. The character that you see in the movies comes from a combination Tan Mui's imagination and my own personality.

Student Weekly: What are some of the most interesting things about the latest film?

Capt. Bird: The visuals and special effects are stunning. The story is also factual and very realistic. The third part focuses on King Naresuan's brilliant war strategies and the way he managed to win the war against an enemy with a bigger army.

Student Weekly: How many different weapons did you use for the fighting scenes in the film?

Capt. Bird: I used five different weapons - a sword, a spear, a halberd, a shield and a gun. It took me a while to learn how to use all of them. The sword was the easiest for me.

Student Weekly: What was it like working with director Tan Mui?

Capt. Bird: He's more than just a director to me. He's like a father and a teacher. We're like family now and we often watch movies together. He also helped me a lot recently during my wedding party.

Student Weekly: What are your expectations for this film?

Capt. Bird: I hope that the audience finds that my acting has improved, and I hope they enjoy and appreciate the film.