The Iron Ladies

Released Sep 7, 2001

1h 44m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

List

56%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Based on a true story, "The Iron Ladies" describes the inexorable march of a volleyball team composed mostly of transsexuals, transvestites, and some rather effeminate gay guys to the Thai male national championships in 1996. An entire team of gays, transvestites and transsexuals is a practically unheard of situation in Thailand.

Critics Consensus

The sports movie Iron Ladies is as predictable and sentimental as many of its American counterparts.

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Brandon Judell

indieWire

Hilarious true story of Thailand's champion volleyball team that was composed of flaming drag queens

Jun 28, 2014

Full Review

Jane Sumner

Dallas Morning News

Broad, sentimental but ultimately irresistible.

Jan 17, 2002

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Tim Cogshell

Boxoffice Magazine

It isn't very coy, but it avoids individual stereotypes.

Dec 23, 2001

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 21, 2005

Full Review

Harry Guerin

RTÉ (Ireland)

Leaves you longing for the full time whistle

Rated: 2/5

May 22, 2003

Full Review

Chuck Wilson

L.A. Weekly

Fails to dig below the surface novelty of its subject.

Jan 20, 2003

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Audience Member

Imagine Cool Runnings meets Priscilla, Queen of The Desert. It's a sadly formulaic underdog sports movie, and most of the humour is basically "tee-hee, we're gay!" but it somehow remains watchable and is an interesting insight into Thai and kathoey culture.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

very good, funny and lovely, it's the best ladyboy comedy movie I've ever seen from Thailand.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An out-and-out old-fashioned underdog sports film. Plenty of charm and sassy attitude that only a group of queens can deliver.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just so funny. Great movie from Thailand.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Story about Thailand's first ever all-queer volleyball team. They struggle to compete in Thailand's prestigious volleyball tournament. Heartwarming but damn funny to the core.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Based on a true story, this remarkable, comical film talks about the lady boys who made it through the national volleyball competition when the odds were against them.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

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Yongyoot Thongkongtoon

Director

Jesdaporn Pholdee

Chai

Sahapap Virakamin

Mon

Tankhun Jitt-itsara

Wit

Giorgio Maiocchi

Nong

Chaicharn Nimpulsawasdi

Jung

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, "The Iron Ladies" describes the inexorable march of a volleyball team composed mostly of transsexuals, transvestites, and some rather effeminate gay guys to the Thai male national championships in 1996. An entire team of gays, transvestites and transsexuals is a practically unheard of situation in Thailand.

Director: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon
Producer: Visute Poolvoralaks
Screenwriter: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, Visuthichai Boonyakarinjana, Jira Maligool
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Tai Entertainment, Mono Film
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Thai
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 7, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 25, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $112.2K
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)