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King Rat
1965
Inside a Japanese POW camp during World War II, an American prisoner runs a black market operation for the benefit of his fellow captives, and among his "merchandise" he includes rats, breeded to supplement prisoners' food rations. Read more
| Starring | George Segal, Tom Courtenay, James Fox, Patrick O'Neal |
|---|---|
| Director | Bryan Forbes |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
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King Rat
Inside a Japanese POW camp during World War II, an American prisoner runs a black market operation for the benefit of his fellow captives, and among his "merchandise" he includes rats, breeded to supplement prisoners' food rations.
| Starring | George Segal, Tom Courtenay, James Fox, Patrick O'Neal |
|---|---|
| Director | Bryan Forbes |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 9 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 08 Aug 2005 Production year: 1965 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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In this Second World War prison drama set in a Japanese PoW camp, George Segal plays the opportunist and arch-manipulator who is the custodian of everything of value, from coffee to rats. It's a great performance — he is the sole American amid the pukka English accents and class warfare of James Fox, Tom Courtenay and Denholm Elliott. Directed by Bryan Forbes from James Clavell's novel, and shot in Hollywood (not that you'd notice), this gripping if overlong film is also notable for one of John Barry's finest musical scores.
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Interesting but flawed adaptation of James Clavell's novel about a Japanese POW camp in Singapore towards the end of... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Superb.....
Saw this again recently after a few years and forgot just how good it is.
Excellent, thought provoking movie with a great central theme. Superb performances all round (particularly Courtney) just a pity that director Forbes' career did not live up to the promise shown here. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A stark and powerful movie
First off: if you enjoyed the book you will find this picture a worthy adaptation - a rarity in the world of cinema. Secondly: I found the opening sequence of British prisoners withering under the intense tropical sun amid decay and (with our hindsight) death one of the most striking in the field of war movies. Indeed this is made more so by the forceful use of black and white film, which brings the contrast of light and darkness to the fore.
Basically, the film revolves around an American sergeant (played with brilliant panache by Segal), who has, by hook and by crook, managed to create an empire in the world of barter and exchange in the prison. Naturally this riles many of the men who are envious of his 'cushy' life.
One British officer is particularly keen to bring this no good Yankee slicker bang to rights. While pursuing his vendetta, however, he discovers that his faith in the honour and standing of his own superiors is seriously misguided – theft of rations etc is a common occurrence across the camp and done with a nod and a wink from high-ranking officers. In this sense ‘King Rat’ is at least honest about his behaviour and efforts to stay at the top of the heap while helping his supporters. Much of the insight into his character comes from King’s conversations with an awkward and somewhat eccentric young British officer (played I think by Tom Courtenay).
Another powerful sequence in the movie worth reviewing comes when a British soldier arrives from outside to tell the captives that they are now liberated. Stumbling through the camp he stares at the gaunt prisoners in sickened disbelief, just as they stare back at him as if he were an alien from another planet. Institutionalized and afraid, many of the prisoners display a distinct lack of enthusiasm at the moment of freedom. Human wrecks, they must now face a new battle to get back into a society lost to them many years beforehand. This is my reading of this scene, however, and others might think differently.
In a nut shell then then, the movie seeks to highlight and question the behaviour of human beings trying to alleviate their hardships when faced with brutal conditions in captivity. It also seeks to highlight the ramifications of these actions, especially upon those not smart enough or too weak to contend with these conditions.
I am, perhaps, starting to sound like one of those media types that turn up on late night shows (did anyone say newsnight review?) so I’ll finish up by saying this is a very good film indeed and unlike many of the Hollywood blockbusters of today (guns, explosions and limbs flying everywhere) and gets to the heart of emotions running through desperate men at war and in captivity. -
News and features
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Ledger's Modest Mouse video to premiere on Tuesday
- 04 Aug 2009
A Modest Mouse video directed by late movie star Heath Ledger is to premiere online on Tuesday (04Aug09). The animated promo for King Rat will debut on MySpace.com. Oscar winner Ledger conceived the video's theme in order to raise awareness of the plight of whales hunted down illegally off the coast of his native Australia, according to NME.com. Ledger failed to complete the video before his death in January 2008; the project was finished by the actor's partners at film company The Masses. Read more
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