The film portrays King Naresuan's life, the great king who ruled Siam from 1590 until his death in 1605. He conquered the wars and declared the freedom to Ayothaya, the homeland that was invaded by Burma's troop. The film is directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol and is a followup to his 2003 film, The Legend of Suriyothai. Naresuan, born in 1555, was the son of King Maha Thammaracha by his chief queen, who was the daughter of King Maha Chakkraphat. He had been taken off to Burma as a hostage for his father’s good behavior in 1564; he returned home in 1571 only when his sister was presented to King Bayinnaung. Though Naresuan was then only 16 years old, his father sent him north to take charge of the Phitsanulok region, thereby maintaining the Sukhothai line's traditional claim on the manpower of that region. At the same time, Naresuan was officially designated uparat, heir-presumptive to the throne of Ayothaya.