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.