4 out of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Superb.....

Richard Morgan from London, England, 22nd September, 2005

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.

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3 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:

A stark and powerful movie

A Customer from London, UK, 17th May, 2007

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.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Powerful and absorbing

Mike from Leamington Spa, England, 22nd March, 2006

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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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

it will pass a night

A Customer from n ireland, 29th November, 2005

old b&w film good cast worth sticking with

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Oh dear

SisterKaff from , 4th September, 2009

I cannot understand the sycophantic reviews this film has had, for if like me, you get annoyed by those Hollywood films that portray Americans as cool and ethically sound and the British as effete, crooked Euro trash, then don't waste your time watching this film. George Seagal is phenomenally annoying as the superficial, smirking spiv character who outshines and out everythings his fellow British prisoners. For a great portrayal of a clever spiv, John Malkovich in Empire of the Sun is streets ahead in a different realm. However I did learn something, wet or gas gangrene can be reversed and totally cured without any surgery. Does that count as a spoiler?

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Superb

A Customer from Guildford, 13th January, 2009

Thought-provoking film. Not quite the same as the book but pretty good portrayal.

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Gripping

A Customer from Exeter, 14th December, 2008

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.

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So, so

A Customer from Barmouth, 30th November, 2008

Husband wasn't overly impressed with this one, said it went on too long.

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