King Rat

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King Rat

Released Oct 27, 1965

2h 13m

War

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100%

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5 Reviews

84%

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1,000+ Ratings

Screen adaptation of James Clavell's best-selling novel about a group of English, American and Australian prisoners in a Singapore POW camp during World War II. When an American officer bribes the Japanese camp commanders to provide him with better living conditions, tension arises between him and his fellow prisoners.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It did poorly at the box office even though most critics liked it.

Rated: B-

Jan 14, 2022

Full Review

Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

A cynical look at what humanity will do to survive under extreme circumstances.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 23, 2015

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 7, 2005

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Shane Burridge

rec.arts.movies.reviews

In this environment, a hustler like King is sure to thrive, just as any resourceful rat would

Jan 1, 2000

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Jim P

Well I always thought The Great Escape was the best POW movie... BUT! Everyone has morals in that camp... Here, on the other hand, only one guy sticks to his morals. It's a harsh camp and it's all about survival. A tough watch but worth it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

James J

Must see a real eye opener realistically shows just how barbaric the Japanese solders really were and what prisoners had to go through to survive!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

Fred W

The best POW movie yet made. It shows realism, not a hyped up escape. A societal class study underlays the plot to give some depth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

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rob L

One of the best movies iv ever had the pleasure to watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Film making at it's best. Clovell's skill as a writer allowed him to capture the essence of his personal experience as a POW of the Japanese. The film, in turn, captures the essence of that great 'novel's. George Segal, James Fox, and all the minor leads are outstanding; surely Segal's best performance on film. Segal contrast of Anerican transactional philosophy with Fox's British relational philosophy is a commentary on how the world changed after the war ended. You can feel the heat, the hunger, the despair. Yes, you say to yourself, that is what it was like. That is what happened. The Japanese surrender statement is worth listening to, several times. A film they will be watching while there are people to watch films.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

s r

This had potential to be a great portrayal of the book, but it fell short of the mark for entertainment and well captured symbolism. Regardless, it tried something different. Saw on TCM.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Bryan Forbes

Director

George Segal

Corporal King

Tom Courtenay

Lt. Robin Grey

James Fox

Peter Marlowe

Patrick O'Neal

Top Sgt. Max

Todd Armstrong

Tex

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Synopsis

Screen adaptation of James Clavell's best-selling novel about a group of English, American and Australian prisoners in a Singapore POW camp during World War II. When an American officer bribes the Japanese camp commanders to provide him with better living conditions, tension arises between him and his fellow prisoners.

Director: Bryan Forbes
Producer: James Woolf
Screenwriter: Bryan Forbes
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Coleytown
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Runtime: 2h 13m

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