In 1868, Mak (Winai Kraibutr) is summoned to the war and leaves his beloved wife Nang Nak (Intira Jaroenpura), who is pregnant, alone in their isolate house in Prakanong. Mak fights with his friend Prig that dies while Mak is seriously wounded. He miraculously survives and after a long time, he returns to Prakanong.He meets Nak and their son and they live happily together until the day that a friend of Mak visits him and tells that Nak had died in the delivery and he is living with the ghost of his wife and his stillborn son. Mak does not believe on his friend until the day that he discovers the truth about his family. "Nang Nak" is a movie about a Thai legend of a faithful wife that dies but does not live the world of the living waiting for her beloved husband that is missing in action in the war. The story of eternal love is a touching ghost story with a melodramatic farewell in the end. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Vidas do Além" ("Lives from Beyond")

I don't know if I would give NANG NAK the "9's" and "10's" that I've seen other reviewers give it - but I will say that it is a well-done film that is a welcome change from the abundance of "phones", and "rings", and "creepy girls with long black hair" films that have been flying out of Asia recently. Ghost stories in general aren't really my thing (though I do have to admit that I HAVE enjoyed some of the stuff from Japan - I'm just kinda sick of it now...) - but NANG NAK is a bit different, as it is an even mix of a tragic love-story and a pretty straight-forward horror film.The setting is 1860's Thailand and Mak is sent off to fight in a war. His wife Nak, is pregnant - and during Mak's absence, both Nak and the child die during child-birth. Mak is injured in the war but makes a recovery, and when he returns home, mother and baby are waiting for him. Mak is unaware that he's actually in the presence of ghosts, and when the local villagers try to convince him of the situation, Mak is unreceptive and refuses to believe - until he begins to see for himself otherwise...NANG NAK was apparently a HUGE success in it's native Thailand - and I can see why. Successfully blending a tragic story of a love that transcends life and death, with sometimes harrowing horror elements - the film as a whole is very solid. Personally I found it to drag a bit in spots, and again - ghost stories in general don't really tend to be my favorite - but I can understand why others enjoy this film so much. The lush tropical Thai environments (much like what are seen in the newly-released ART OF THE DEVIL 2) make an interesting back-drop for this sort of film, and the acting, cinematography, and story-line are all pretty top-notch. There isn't much in the way of "gore" though there are a few scenes that do show a little of the red-stuff. If you dig films like RINGU, A TALE OF TWO SISTERS, JU-ON, etc...but want something different - give this one a shot, you may like it. Personally, I can "appreciate" NANG NAK more than I actually "like" it - so it gets a 7.5/10 from me...

There is a lot more to this film than immediately meets the eye. Most Thai historicals or ghost stories are loaded with anachronistic pop culture cliches. This one wasn't; people spoke with their mouths filled with betel (maak), the lead actress didn't have lipstick, the houses were quite realistic, etc. In addition, the rural monks switched between high-level speech and country slang. The point is that this film is a serious attempt to do justice to both the original tale and the time period it is set in. The empathy for Nak far surpassed the scariness. What stood out for me is that Nak's justification for her actions seemed quite defensible, adding to the anguished poignancy of the situation.Asian ghost stories, when done well, have a strongly moral character. This is one of the finest examples I have seen.

Nang nak had been made for many times in Thailand both for TV series and films. Therefore, most of them express the scary part of Nak but they don't mention anything about her deep true love to Mak. So I think this version is very touching and great. I love it. Though, there were many versions made but none of them gives good facts like this one. Two thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!