King Rat

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Han R Feb 7, 2019 James Clavell incorporated a few of his own experiences as a British POW in his novel King Rat. Bryan Forbes' film version stars George Segal as the mastermind of all black market operations in a Japanese prison camp. He is called "King Rat" because of his breeding of rodents to serve as food for his emaciated fellow prisoners; the nickname also alludes to Segal's shifty personality. British officer James Fox helps Segal expand his operation to include trading with the Japanese officers. Though on surface level a thoroughly selfish sort, Segal saves the ailing Fox's life by wangling precious antibiotics from the guards. George Segal gave probably the best performance of his career. James Fox also gives an outstanding performance as Segal's British counterpart who come under Segal's spell and begins to do alot of his dirty work for him. There are many WWII prison camp films, but King Rat stands out for its gritty treatment of how prisoners survive in there bleak and painful worlds, where the meaning of hope has long been forgotten. "King Rat" was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Cinematography, Black-and-White" Although the film shows the hardships and brutality of the POW camp, it's far from one-note or bleak. There are scenes of high humor and gaiety, complex interpersonal relationships and dealings, and a variety of complex characters. All in all, King Rat is a delicious and riveting film, arguably the best POW film ever. See more

Ron S Jun 17, 2017 Wow. That's directing and cinematography! Can the new generation of filmmakers please watch movies, like this one, to understand how to keep an audiences attention, and how to cut between scenes while still keeping intrigue? This movies story could have gone in any one of the typical directions... but, instead, it explores directions which I have not seen in any movie about war, or POW camps, before. And I do mean directions, with an s. It's an intelligent, realistic story, in many ways. And kudos to a superb group of dramatic and charismatic actors! See more

Finn S Jun 17, 2017 Truly superior WW2 prison camp drama. Extraordinary cast of male actors.

Han R Jun 11, 2017 Superbly acted tale of the separate microcosm world of a prisoner of war camp where mainly British and a few American soldiers are held by the Japanese under inhumane conditions and the rise of a clever man who manipulates the situation to allow himself to survive without the hardships everyone else endures. He manages to corrupt the highest officers into going along with his corruption, but his elevated status does not survive liberation. A gripping psychological study of men under extreme duress. See more

Harry S Feb 20, 2017 King Rat is an excellent film. It is about a fast-taking wheeler-dealer corporal in a Malaysian POW camp during WWII. George Segal and James Fox give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. Bryan Forbes did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. King Rat is a must see. See more

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King Rat

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