King Rat

Released Oct 27, 1965

2 hr. 13 min.

War

List

100%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

kevin w

An unusual entry into the numerous WW2 prisoner-of-war outings, this picture distinguishes itself by its focus on how traditional hierarchy gets tossed aside, and even nationalistic concerns are nothing (duh, of course) when survival is the trump card in the deck. George Segal and James Fox give their best performances ever as an American and a Brit who become friends in the worst of circumstances to the point of shining. It's a great film in an overcrowded field, so don't miss it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

43 years young and a complete fanatic about war movies ... so how come it's taken this long before I have ever seen King Rat ?? The first time I caught sight of this movie (Halfway through on the Sony Movie Channel) I was spellbound. The characters, the setting, the humiliation, the pain and the death, the apparent absence of Japanese guards, the licksmacking anticipation of eating dog.... it was a huge attack on my senses and everything I thought I knew. I watched not knowing what might happen next and afterwards I watched this again and again. Would definitely list this in my top 10 movies of all time. Second time round I watched the movie from the beginning and

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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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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Dennis Schwartz

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

Rated: B-

Jan 14, 2022

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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

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Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2007

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 7, 2005

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Coleytown
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010

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