Who says they don’t make historical epics anymore? Written and directed by a prince in the Thai royal family (Chatri Chalerm Yukol), and funded by Thailand’s Queen Sirikit, this sumptuously photographed film boasts a true cast of thousands.

It’s the 16th century, and Princess Suriyothai is made to marry Prince Tien, in a political alliance, rather than her true love, a warrior named Piren. But Piren remains loyal to her, and he supports the throne through years of upheaval and war before ultimately falling in love with her daughter. The film follows several successive corrupt regimes over three decades and the betrayal and murder of several heirs apparent. In one memorable segment, a king who chooses a controversial marriage to a conniving courtesan is poisoned by her servants so she can put her young lover, a musician, on the throne.

It all culminates in a spectacular battle scene that has warriors armed with crossbows riding elephants and scantily armored women hurling spears. This entertaining glimpse at Thailand’s bloody (and, here, romantic) history has only one real flaw: even the most glamorous of epics needs some degree of character development. In Thai with English subtitles. (142 minutes)