Rent A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

True to life - A Prayer Before Dawn review by HM

Pretty grim but realistic. The movie gets better as it goes along. Never hyping the scenario up, you are left with the impression that this 'true story' is actually true. A tale of a drug addict earning a living as a Thai boxer who's life is spiralling out of control and who ends up in a prison you just don't want to be in. A hard watch but rewarding; see this movie. Not for the kids.

Gritty - A Prayer Before Dawn review by DH

Very graphic and disturbing scenes inside the Thai prison, not for the faint hearted . Well acted and powerful film, gripping and a recommended watch.

An incredible, visceral & inspirational film based on the true story of Billy Moore - A Prayer Before Dawn review by TB

I rented this film due to the massive critical praise, particularly the 5 star Empire review, which absolutely raved about it. Otherwise, I would never have rented it, as sports movies on the whole are not the sort of films I am that interested in. And I am so glad I did. This is a wonderful, deeply human and compassionate film, looking at how from even the bleakest of situations, hope & promise can be found. It also features a star-making turn from Joe Cole.

Billy Moore is a Liverpudlian man who lives in Thailand. At the start of the film, he is involved in both professional boxing & drug dealing/petty crime. After a dawn raid, he is arrested & convicted of drug possession and sentenced to 3 years in the notorious Klong Prem prison. A literal hell-on-Earth, the prisoners are at the whim of the brutal guards, as well as the high-ranking gang members incarcerated in the cells with them. Whilst at first Moore spirals rapidly downhill mentally, he then is welcomed into the gym/Muay Thai boxing team, which in turn supports him & enables him to start to believe he has a future again. Moore then becomes the first non-Thai to fight in the prison Muay-Thai championships.

The best part of this film and, to be clear, the reason it works so well, is down to Joe Cole's stunning performance as well as the beautiful direction by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire. This film really delves deep into not only Moore's emotions, but also the strong bonds formed not only with the other prisoners but also the boxers within the gym. They are broken, troubled & yes some of them deeply immoral, dangerous men. But this film seeks to show a different side, as well as the incredible redemptive power of sport, particularly boxing.

Don't be put off by the subtitles or the fact that it is marketed as a sports film. This is a warm, thoughtful and deeply moving film with an incredible Cole at its core.

Essential viewing

Eye opening - A Prayer Before Dawn review by DS

This film gives a very eye opening view into the journey of Billy Moore, the struggles he faced and life in general. Joe Cole was the perfect actor for this role, he rose to the physical and mental challenges and portrayed them in a way that you can't help but get the feels! You are able to feel every bit of pain Billy experienced, every struggle it's a very real film to match the real story.