User Reviews

"The Iron Ladies" ("Satree Lek") is just one of those type of comedies that will stick with you once you've seen it for the first time. It is a wonderful underdog story.

The story is about a team of gay, transsexual and ladyboys participating in the 1996 Thai national championship volleyball. They participate against all odds, having everything stacked against them, from a male dominated sport, narrow-minded and sexist players on other teams and even on the volleyball committee.

Despite this being a comedy, there there aren't a lot of scenes that will have you spilling your drink from laughing, but there is, in turn, heaps of situations that will make you smile and feel good. It is indeed a comedy about acceptance and overcoming odds even when stacked against you. And being based on an actual real story just makes it all the more better and has a bigger impact.

The characters in the movie are lovable, funny and very real. And they are so well portrayed by the cast, that you just delve right into the story, the characters and their problems, successes and failures right away.

I remember watching this movie back in the mid-2K's approximately and found it enjoyable back then. And having finally gotten around to purchasing both part 1 and 2 from Amazon in 2013, it was indeed a joyous revisit to the movie, and I can honestly say that I am looking forward to watching part 2.

"The Iron Ladies" is well worth a watch for many reason; be it for the love of Asian cinema, be it for the love and support of gays/lesbians/transgendered everywhere, be it for the love of volleyball, be it for the love of a great movie, be it for the love of great acting, the list just goes on and on.

Thumbs up from this reviewer and a definite 7 out of 10 star rating.

So what? Some of the characters are over the top. Some of the actors playing the Iron Ladies might have pushed the stereotype, but quite frankly, I LOVED IT! The movie is entertaining and such a joy to watch, and it's supposed to be stereotypical. If we can't laugh at ourselves and our own not so perfect life, then we'd be rather dull wouldn't we? If I recall my trip to Thailand, where I have encountered trans-gendered, gay, and transsexuals; who live their lives as normally as any of us do, they are very much like how the actors portrayed them in the movie. If this movie misrepresents diversity, then I would beg to differ. Being a gay man myself, and knowing all the obstacles that come with acceptance, the LAST thing I'd want to do is JUDGE something we have no real connection to. I have never put on a dress, have never walked in their shoes. I do play a mean game of volleyball though, and if I were to meet these "Iron Ladies" across the net, I would be honored to play with them as I would any other team. GAME ON! For the Iron Ladies! May the best "man" win.

I just watched this film (albeit dubbed in German!) and I just couldn't turn away! It's like a train wreck, but in a good way. I'd like to see it in English, but even in German it was funny with a few poignant moments and a bit of Bollywood thrown in for good measure. The characters were very believable tho I found the premise a bit obtuse, until I saw in the credits that it was based on a true story..that just blew me away. I wasn't aware that the Thais were SO into volleyball. I'm looking forward to seeing part 2 (so if anyone at arte reads this, please show part 2!). I'm going to do some more internet research about the background and recommend this film to all my friends.

This film is not only hysterically funny, it's a true story. You will be cheering these kids on at every turn. I've seen it twice and it holds up and never disappoints! Comedy of course is subjective, but I sat in an audience of New Yorkers the first time I watched this and the laughter was amazing.

I was shocked to learn at the end of the film that it was based on a true story. To me it seemed like a cross between the Bad News Bears or the Mighty Ducks and To Wong Fu (NOT Priscilla, Queen of the Desert): losers transformed by sports & teamwork into winners, with an extreme overlay of camp. I say not Priscilla, because the characters seeemed more like caricatures than real people, and the film had all those cheap shots and facile manipulations that I associate with Hollywood product. I can definitely understand that other viewer's negative reaction to the femmy sterotypes. That said, the film does exhibit high spirits, preaches tolerance, and for those with a taste for such "delights", there's plenty of kitsch and bad pop music.

What more can you ask for in a movie than campy characters, memorable performances, a happy ending and non-stop laughter? The Iron Ladies truly delivers on all accounts.

The true story of a Thai volleyball team made up mostly of gay men, drag queens and transgendered women ("katoueys") that wins the men's national championship, The Iron Ladies is sassy, funny and extraordinary.

Cross-dressing Jung (Chaicharn Nimpulsawasdi), make-up loving soldier Nong (Giorgio Maiocchi) and transsexual cabaret star Pia (Kokkorn Benjathikoon) are the standouts in this hilarious cast of characters who unite together to overcome the adversity they face on a daily basis, and take Thailand by storm. Shiriohana Hongsopon gives probably the best performance as Coach Bee, the glue that holds the often hot-tempered and always effervescent team together.

As we see the Iron Ladies through to the national finals, all the characters receive a touch of humanity from each other, and rally together to reach the top. This hilarious romp will keep you laughing, and it will definitely be a film you will never forget! For it's fantastic script, three stars...the amazing acting, one more star...and because it's a movie you'll want to see again and again, one more. 5 stars out of 5!

Not every gay film *has* to be politically correct, the characters don't *have* to be non-stereotypical, and it doesn't *have* to "send the right message about the gay community," and it can *still* be fun, funny, and a treat to watch. Part of the reason that the characters were so outrageously stereotypical is because the real people on which they were based were themselves screaming queens - and, last I checked, there's nothing wrong with that. These were people who celebrated who they were - everyone else's opinions of them be damned. Moreover, their differences were what brought them together to win the championship, defy the odds, and defy perceptions of what they *should* be like. It puzzles me that other readers focus on the "negativity" of their behavior, when the story is about acceptance, fighting ignorance, and celebrating the differences in us all.

True film about a volleyball team from Taiwan composed of gays, transvestites and transsexuals, who battled homophobia and hatred and won a championship. The film does advocate tolerance and (sometimes) shows homophobia is bad BUT those messages are buried under a ton of offensive material. The men playing gay characters all act VERY effeminite--too much so. They're all wearing makeup, screech and scream constantly (it's played so the audience will laugh at it) and are always preening and acting bitchy. Jokes are constantly made at their expense--THREE times we see one member go hysterical when he breaks his nails! Also three times we see his nails deflating balls (that's impossible but hey--anything for a joke). Also the film contained almost every gay verbal slur known--I almost walked out. As a gay man I found this film offensive and sickening. I'm giving it a 2 only because some of the guys were handsome, some of the acting was good and the climatic match was exciting. Otherwise, it's offensive trash.

From Thailand, this film (winner of two 2001 Berlin Film Festival "Teddy Awards)" is an outrageous high-camp comedy, which despite its eccentricities, is sure to entertain all audiences, and have a strong positive message for everyone. THE IRON LADIES (English title) celebrates the true 1996 triumph of a group of hilarious Thai screaming queens.

Through a series of circumstances, the drag queens, join a new (and female) coach and the sole survivor (and only straight player) of a district volleyball squad to form a new team. Representing its district and now competing at the national level, they are clearly face down at odds. In spite of this and their individual "personal issues," they strive for championships and national recognition, creating an Asian phenomenon on the way.

The film is very Hollywood-slick, but at the same time, very Asian. It is a unique picture of very unconventional sportsmen battling bigotry on and off the court. IRON LADIES breathes new life into both the screwball comedy and the root-for-the underdog sports movie. Not to be missed.

True life stories do not make for good films. Julie Andrews - giving a brilliant performance in Star! - could not redeem a poor script. Other, more recent examples could include films about Vietnam, American presidents, the British royal family.

The true life element is uplifting; the film itself is not. Take Nathan Lane's hysteria (and histrionic it was) in The Birdcage, his bitchiness towards Andrews at the Tony Awards, and his bizarre turn in Jeffrey. Multiply by a hundred and you can see why I was irritated beyond measure at some of the turns in the movie.

Like Philadelphia, this plays oh-so-safe. The gay men are queens. Finito. Little of the quiet dignity Hurt portrayed in Love and Death on Long Island, or Robin Williams in The Birdcage. Mostly all of them wear make-up, are transvestites or transsexuals. And the straight captain, starts to learn tolerance.

Laugh at the prima donnas putting on make-up. Snigger as they fight over a man. Giggle uproariously as they wriggle their asses in a bizarre little dance routine. Guffaw as they stick out their tongues and screech to high heaven. Chuckle as the 'ladies' make it oh so easy to laugh at, rather than with, a gay population.

The telling subtitle, 'Are you gay because you're not a real man, or are you gay because you wish you were a woman' (to that effect) is the crux of the movie. There is no honest attempt to examine the range of sexuality and celebrate gay differentness in myriad of colours. Here it's a shrill, high-pitched pink.

Thank God for the dignified acting by Hangsopon as the Coach - truly inspired acting, and a pivotal role that raises this film from the depths of total stereotype. Phohklee as Chai and Buranapansit as Wit give good performances.

Even two dimensional acting is better than one dimensional acting, and that's the kindest that can be said for most.

In all, a really disappointing film.

* 1/2 out of 4

I've heard about this movie for quite sometimes before actually manage to see it. It has been given very good reviews from the Media. In this movie, each character is interesting and been given their own special attention, starting from the important character like Mon & Chai, to the less important roles like April, May & June. It pretty much revolves around a bunch of drag queen playing volleyball , entering competition,sportsman ship, team work, relationship between transsexuals and real men, sexual discrimination. You will enjoy this movie from the start till the end, although sometimes in some scenes, the director didnt really make it clear why on earth that particular scenes is needed for. The actors and actresses made a good job as drag queen and gay people considering the fact that all of them (except one) claimed to be straight and most of them are in 'straight relationship', and also, you'll get to learn and see the wonders or Thailand, and also the way they made a movie about volleyball in thailand, considering that Volleyball is not a popular sports in Thailand, yet, this movie still manage to emerged as the 2nd highest grossing movie ever, in Thailand, behind the movie NangNak. Recommended to everyone, you wont regret it.

I'm not a big fan of the oriental comedy movies, but I saw "Sa tree lex" and I have to say that this is great film, full of laughs, feelings and a great script. After the movie I realized that it was based on a true history, that made me feel happy. It's worth to see it.

This movie is very entertaining. Thai movies are not as familiar as American movies in Japan, but I enjoyed this one. Thai society has a huge number of gay people while it still holds bias about them. This movie has successfully changed the attitude to gay people in Thailand. Now people are less likely to discriminate gay people than before. This is what I have heard from my Thai friends. If you are biased about gay people, you should take time to watch this movie. If you are not, you should watch it. It is still worth watching.

This movie not only has some serious comments by gay people but also includes funny scenes. You can laugh and enjoy while you learn about gay culture in Thailand. At last, please do not forget that this movie is based on Amazing truth!

The idea of the movie might be original, but it is very poorly executed. Feels and looks like a student project with shaky camera and bad sound. Also, actors can't really play volleyball.

finally a movie, not only based on a real story, but also full of humor of a worldclass, showing that comedy is a genre that has always been ignored by the academy, and that humor is not something made in the usa. The typical american humor which often is NOT funny gets here an example that humor can be simple and touching at the same time. This movie also shows that we no longer have to look for the usa to see a good movie. The USA has always ignored good movies, and still does at the Osacrs every year. A terrible movie as 'cast away' or Gladiator gets all the credits where great movies like Himalaya, Village of dreams, Unagi, Billy Elliot, and others should win. Luckely the public outside the USA does understand that there is more than the typical us movies with always the same storyline: someones gets killed, in between there is time for some sex or a simple kiss, curses and faul language has to do the rest. But that's definately not it. Iron ladies is a film that touches the heart, shows us to have respect for everyone's lifestyle and no longer ignore that people, gay, lesbian, transsexual are all likes us, but it shows that making a good movie can be done without dollars and hollywood studio's.

You all know the plot .. a team of dis-advantaged misfits takes on the reigning champs and triumph in an emotional demonstration of "heart" and teamwork over the talented, but ultimately flawed, defenders.

You've seen it a hundred times. You'll see it a hundred more times. And every time you see it you'll wonder why you bothered because, generally, these films suck like a black hole.

But not this one.

I can't tell you exactly why this one works .. you know how it will end before you even get to your seat .. but it stands head and shoulders above all of the also rans (see what I did there? A sports metaphor)

Let's be honest - it's a formula film and it's not going to make you think and it's not going to break down the boundaries of film. But it does deliver humour and some passable performances and it does NOT cram "teamwork" down your throat. It's fun.

My second favourite sports film after Slap Shot. And I only like two sports films.

I really enjoyed watching this unusual movie. A group of drag queens from Thaileand make up the bulk of a volleyball team. The film is great, it's comedy mixes perfectly with the real-life story. Definitely worth a watch.

If you don't mind watching a film with subtitles The Iron Ladies is a great feel-good film. The highlight of which has to be the character Jung. Whose happy outlook on life just keeps you smiling throughout the film.

Because the storyline follows a true life story there are few dull moments, if your ever stuck for something to watch, and you see a copy of this movie, get it, trust me, you won't be able to stop yourself from smiling.

A very well made and carefully acted film depicting life in Thailand for a small group of Transvestites.

While the movie is obviously gay, it is still very powerful in raising awareness of the need for Teamwork and and a desire to be respected, not easy for transvestites, gays or lesbians in any culture, let alone Asia.

The story is full and the characters are believable. For those with an interest in Asia and Asian sub-cultures, it is worth watching to learn more about a real group of transvestites working together to achieve a level of athletic ability shown by few.

It is amazing that this is a true story, as the structure is almost formulaic. I had the opportunity to quiz the director about the '7 Samurai'/'Golden Fleece' resemblance, he claimed that was the side of the story that required the least adjustment.

Touching, moving, and funny. Iron ladies, squeezes every laugh out of the material without degrading the subject. The audience is drawn into the story. The film carries no definite style and this assists the progression. Flexibility is the key to it's success; flexibility of camera and performance, large when needed, subtle enough to maintain empathy.

Above all else, it's fun to sit in a packed cinema with everyone laughing for the right reasons. I was entertained more than I had hoped.

This film is funny. However, I found the portrayal of transsexuals and gays over the top. They played on the stereotypes that all gays must act feminine, which is not true. I thought that the way which the actors acted was very exaggerated. This is quite unfair, as this film perpetuates the misunderstanding towards the transsexuals and gays instead of clearing the misunderstanding.

Putting this aside, this film explores the issues of discrimination against the transsexuals and gays, and also the pressure that they are under. These people have to work extra hard in order to prove themselves. Not only is this a comedy, it gives people something to think about too.

Despite my hard head and better judgment, this film gave me a smile that split my countenance from one auricular orifice to the other.

Its message is laid on with a trowel and it's ridiculously simplistic and sentimental. It is NOT a thinking person's film. However, I defy any thinking person to watch it without grinning.

Lovable characters and a story of struggle against adversity make this irresistible. Let me know if you think it's tripe.

Based on a true story! I specially liked the fact that the gay characters ranged from the operated one, who looks just like a woman, to the cute young man that looks just like a polite heterosexual guy. But the over the top way they present themselves, to the hilarious concern of the only straight guy of the team, is what makes this touching comedy all the more fun. Go, Iron Ladies!

When he fails to make the volleyball team Mon suspects it is because he is gay – a position not helped by the very loud presence of his drag queen boyfriend Jung. They sign up for the local state team and are good enough for new coach Bee to pick them alongside the usual tall, butch players. However captain Mann refuses to play with "fags" and quits the team – taking all the strongest players with him. Without a squad to draw from, Bee listens to Mon's suggestion that they rebuild the team from their friends – who mostly happen to be gay like them.

With the sort of plot that you don't associate with the Thailand market, I thought this was worth a look despite the fact that I prefer Thai films with minimal dialogue simply because I find it a rather grating language to have to listen to for any length of time. Regardless I quite enjoyed it although you should know that it is neither as original nor as funny as some of the other reviewers seem to think it is. The plot is the usual "underdogs" sports story with the twist of the gay characters – the latter being the main thrust of the film as there is actually quite few "big game" moments on the way to the climax. Part of the problem for me is that most of the characters never went beyond the level of caricature and it was only one or two scenes where I felt the film had something interesting to say or show me. For the rest of it the queen clichés are enjoyable enough but did occasionally grate on me. The "to thine own self be true" stuff is OK but hardly that clever or different – par for the genre course really, all this film has done is put makeup on it to make it appear a bit fresher.

In terms of laughs the film is amusing but rarely hilarious. This may be partly down to me not liking the queen stereotypes that much but I think it is mostly down to the material not being that strong. The cast are pretty good regardless and at least seem to be having fun but I think the lack of a "big game" moment might be something to do with the majority of them not actually being able to play. They help the comedy be consistent at least with their delivery and it is not their fault if the film rarely goes deeper than that.

So an amusing genre film then but not a great deal more than that. The story and characters are serviceable without the beauty or touching stuff that the genre delivered in pieces such as Babe. Different enough to be worth a look but just don't expect it to be any different from American "be yourself" and "sports underdog" genre/cliché films just because it comes from Thailand.