Without doubt one of the finest British films of the last 50 years.
The Killing Fields (1984)
Runtime: 2 hrs 22 mins
Synopsis: Roland Joffé's unflinching drama recounts the true story of New York Times journalist Sidney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) and Cambodian journalist and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor), who found themselves trapped in the nightmare of the Khmer Rouge revolution in Cambodia. While... Roland Joffé's unflinching drama recounts the true story of New York Times journalist Sidney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) and Cambodian journalist and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor), who found themselves trapped in the nightmare of the Khmer Rouge revolution in Cambodia. While stationed in Phnom Penh in the early 1970s, Schanberg and Pran become close friends and confidants, negotiating and writing many groundbreaking stories. When the ruling Lon Nol government is overthrown by the Khmer Rouge, the country is turned upside down--killing is common in the streets, and children become gun-toting informants. Schanberg is forced to flee the country, with his fellow American photographer Al Rockoff (John Malkovich) and British journalist Jon Swain (Julian Sands). Despite their exhaustive efforts to free Pran, they have no choice but to leave him behind. Pran is forced to endure excruciating agony at the Pol Pot death camps, where any shred of individuality or dissent is beaten out of the prisoners. After years of brutal torture, Pran manages to escape and begins a long odyssey to Thailand and the border refugee camps. As Pran struggles to stay alive, Schanberg endures life in New York wracked with guilt over the loss of his good friend, desperately attempting to locate him. This haunting drama is epic in its portrayal of a war-torn country devastated by mass genocide. Images of both great horror and beauty resonate with awesome power and honesty. Joffé's first film features superb performances from a first-rate ensemble of actors, including Waterston, Sands, Malkovich, and Ngor in an Oscar-winning role. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, Craig T. Nelson, John Malkovich, Spalding Gray
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 3, 2002
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
- Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
- Additional Footage
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
- Audio Commentary - 1. Roland Joffe - Director
Reviews
The film's overall thrust - angry, intelligent, compassionate -- makes this producer Puttnam's finest movie to date.
A mighty accomplishment, and possibly the bravest Britflick yet made.
First time feature director Roland Joffe shoots the drama with an unforced realism lent a terrible grace by the handsome images and smooth, unobtrusive long takes...
The screen is swamped by a bathetic, self-preening sententiousness.
The intent and outward trappings are all impressively in place, but at its heart there's something missing.
One of the most potent politically-charged dramas ever made, managing to honor both the epic and the intimate aspects of its drama. One of the top films of the '80s.
The best moments are the human ones, the conversations, the exchanges of trust, the waiting around, the sudden fear, the quick bursts of violence, the desperation.
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