source: King Rat

King Rat

Classic POW drama,set in a Allied camp in the dying days of Japanese ww2, George Segal, Stars as the cool as a breeze corporal,who has a firm grip on the camp's black market,Patrick O'Neal is his right hand man, James fox, plays an innocent British officer who falls under Segals influence,Tom Courtenay,is the camp's Marshall provost who is determined to put an end to Segal's wheeling dealing, This Classic film, has a wealth of British talent involved, sir john mills, Denholm Elliott, john standing, as well as Leonard Rossiter and James Donald, who previously starred in another James Clavell adaptation 'the great escape' Bryan Forbes directs this classic,it's certainly earn's its place in the top 100 War films,Probably one of the finest of its kind, john Barry,Contributes A stark music score,

KING RAT is an interesting character study that takes place in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. It's an adaptation of a novel by James Clavell that was based on his own war-time experiences. This is a lengthy black-and-white ensemble production that eschews the usual POW film plottings - there are no escape attempts, for example - to instead explore the mental health and well being of those inside the camp. George Segal's main character is an amoral wheeler-dealer, one of those guys who always makes the best out of a situation. James Fox is the idealistic upper-class type who comes to befriend him. Tom Courtenay has a good role as the by-the-book youth who becomes the story's main antagonist, while John Mills is very good in just a handful of scenes. The main problem with this film is the overlong running time that makes it drag (particularly during the first hour), but it does build to a powerful and unusual climax.

An intensely directed and compelling look inside a POW camp, the film raises many interesting ideas and there are plenty of gripping dramatic moments as well as a number of thrilling and exciting bits too. George Segal is brilliant as a charismatic corporal who is respected by his superior officers, and James Fox as a lieutenant who befriends him is superb, giving off a highly realistic performance. There are unfortunately too many characters to get to know all the important ones very well, but one can still see that they are not all that they seem to be. The characters that are examined are explored well. Forbes' use of close-ups, freeze frames and angled shots induces a magnificent visual feel, and the music choices are excellent. The final few minutes are rather sluggish and the episodic structure of the film at times prevents flow, but generally there is little to complain about here. It is another black and white masterpiece from the hands of Bryan Forbes.

We all wonder what happens when we die, this movie is about what happens when we live at any cost, put in the context of a Japanese prison of war camp in WWII. A serious film with enough action to keep it alive while delivering a message. You won't be bored. George Segal plays his greatest role, tough, smart, without shame. How he became a banjo player I don't know. (jmho)

This film, the best of 1965, was tough and disturbing and seriously under-rated. Great performances and a haunting soundtrack. George Segal, one of the best actors of the 60's and 70's creates an insidious yet charming character who runs things in the camp. James Fox (excellent actor who quit for many years on some kind of spiritual journey) is superb as is Tom Courtney and even Patrick O'Neal (who has never been impressive in any other film I can think of) delivers a punch as Max the stooge. Bryan Forbes created a somber world of dog eat dog that should have been up for a host of awards. Throw in John Mills, James Donald and other familiar faces and you have a near-classic. A 9 out of 10. Best performance George Segal. Well worth your time.

I had never heard of this movie. It came on late one night on cable and I watched it. I was very impressed. The performances in the movie are Oscar caliber. George Segal gave probably the best performance of his career. He plays an American stuck in a Japanese POW camp who manages to always make some dough on the side. He is manipulative and arrogant but his performance is credible and appealing. Also, the way the camp itself is projected as a miserable, fly-infested, hot and godawful hellhole is hard to forget. 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. This is a movie you will not soon forget. Now, keep in mind that since this movie was made in 1965, it is tame in terms of its depiction of violence but that does not take away from its overall message. Great movie!