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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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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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Overlong but generally gripping character melodrama Ð 'not a story of escape but a story of survival'.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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4 out of 4 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. -
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. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
it will pass a night
old b&w film good cast worth sticking with
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Classic
Great Character Actors
James Clavell's book well filmed -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Powerful and absorbing
I could have sworn this was in colour the first time I saw it forty years ago! Terrific ensemble playing from a team of Britain's finest plus George Segal. The first time I saw it I was blown away by James Fox as King's upper-class officer chum. This time the honours seem more evenly spread between the three leads. Well observed and developed secondary characters like the medical chief and his side kick are a delightful bonus. King Rat is a complex exploration of corruption and natural leadership under extreme conditions: perhaps a little longer and not quite as focused as it might have been, but powerful and absorbing for all that. Highly recommended.
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4 out of 4 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. -
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. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
it will pass a night
old b&w film good cast worth sticking with
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Classic
Great Character Actors
James Clavell's book well filmed -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Powerful and absorbing
I could have sworn this was in colour the first time I saw it forty years ago! Terrific ensemble playing from a team of Britain's finest plus George Segal. The first time I saw it I was blown away by James Fox as King's upper-class officer chum. This time the honours seem more evenly spread between the three leads. Well observed and developed secondary characters like the medical chief and his side kick are a delightful bonus. King Rat is a complex exploration of corruption and natural leadership under extreme conditions: perhaps a little longer and not quite as focused as it might have been, but powerful and absorbing for all that. Highly recommended.
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good film
good film portrays prisoner of wars very well
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Classic
Great Character Actors
James Clavell's book well filmed -
Absolutely brilliant
Really enjoyed this film.
Wonderful music (think Ipcress Files), great acting and inspiring story. -
So, so
Husband wasn't overly impressed with this one, said it went on too long.
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Gripping
This film was surprisingly good and gripping so all credit to Bryan Forbes for his direction. Nobody stole the film - it was a good ensemble piece. George Segal and James Fox were good contrasting characters, Segal being so 'smart' and American and out to make a fast buck which you can see as corruption or survival. James Fox plays along, looking beautiful, but his acting is impeccible. Others have smaller roles but still stand out e.g. John Mills, Leonard Rossiter, Denholm Elliot and others.
The only flaw for me was the lone man coming to liberate the camp. Could that happen? Surely it would have been a line of jeeps as you did see later.
However, that aside, it's a good study of the human condition, the British class system, the ease of falling into corrupt ways as a means of survival. And then we have the superb Tom Courtenay who stands out as the only incorruptible man in the camp sticking doggedly to his principles and finding disappointment all around him as he sees that those he looked up to in rank are just as corrupt as those below him. Fine performances all round.
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.
-
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
-
Overlong but generally gripping character melodrama Ð 'not a story of escape but a story of survival'.
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