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King Rat Details

1965 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 395 members

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 Certificate PG
Genres Action/Adventure, Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 08 Aug 2005
Production year: 1965
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of King Rat

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    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.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • 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

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Most helpful member's review of King Rat

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    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.

      • Richard Morgan from London, England
      • Posted 22 Sep 2005 15:50

  • Most recent members' review of King Rat

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    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.

      • Richard Morgan from London, England
      • Posted 22 Sep 2005 15:50

  • News and features

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    Manifesto Of Metal For The Masses

    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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Rating breakdown

395 Member ratings
  • 100
36
  • 90
30
  • 80
79
  • 70
75
  • 60
75
  • 50
41
  • 40
23
  • 30
16
  • 20
13
  • 10
7

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      • 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 ...