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The Killing Fields | Year: 1984 Classification: Drama Directed: - Roland Joffé Actors/Actresses: - Julian Sands - Sam Waterston - Haing S. Ngor A compelling look at a modern-day holocaust Hands down, "The Killing Fields" is one of the most harrowing films I've ever seen...and also one of the most inspiring. It depicts the relationship between New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg (played by Sam Waterston) and his Cambodian interpreter Dith Pran (Portrayed by the late Dr. Haing S. Ngor, who won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance). The story is set in Cambodia during the mid 1970s, when the Khmer Rouge, under Pol Pot, overran the country and began one of the worst programs of systematic genocide in history. (It is estimated that over 3 million of Cambodia's 7 million people were executed by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979.) Pran saves Schanberg and several other Western reporters from execution by the Communists, but is forced to stay behind in Cambodia when his journalistic colleagues are evacuated. How Pran survives his ordeal in the Cambodian "Killing Fields," and makes his escape, is an inspiring testament to the strength of the human will and the bonds of friendship. The movie is beautifully acted and filmed. Sam Waterston is appropriately caustic as the hard-boiled "New York Times" reporter, Sydney Schanberg. Haing S. Ngor brings a touching sensitivity and wonderful inscrutability to his role as Dith Pran. Director Roland Joffe masterfully captured the chaos of the last days in Cambodia before the Communist takeover, and the horror and oppression of the Khmer Rouge forced education camps. "The Killing Fields" is not a movie for the faint-hearted. It has many bloody scenes of violence none of which are gratuitous, and the scenes depicting the killing fields are terrible in their realism and power. Still, "The Killing Fields" is a powerful and thought-provoking film, and should not be missed. A horrific look at war in the Third World The Killing Fields takes you into the horrific realm of the Third World country of Cambodia amidst war, and doesn't flinch any step of the way. Based on the true story of New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterson) covering the battle with his native translator Pran (Haing S. Ngor), this film covers their friendship as they conduct investigative reporting while trying to avoid getting killed, at least until the reporter and his crew is sent home, minus Pran. The second half of the film follows the captive Pran trying to escape from his prison camp while Sydney helplessly awaits state side. It seems this film stays true to real events, and it is convincingly portrayed by its actors, especially the nonprofessional actor Ngor, who won an academy award for his role as Pran. It is also beautifully photographed and shows the horrors of war first hand. But unfortunately the film has one major weakness: Lack of focus. You never really have a feel for where the movie is trying to take you. Of course, it's based on real events and that's how life often is, but the filmmakers could have made the film more cohesive and unified without distorting fact. Despite this flaw, the film still manages to be an engaging and honest look at the atrocities of war. It especially hits home in the second half, sharing its glimpse into the brutal world of prison camps. Definitely worth your time for both its historical context as well as its horrific account of war in the Third World. War Drama about Cambodia Most war movies from the 80's are about Vietnam and sometimes the horrible events in Cambodia are snowed under. The movie is great and emotional. Some scenes are awful but lifelike. Though shot in Thailand, the scenery is beautiful. The acting is fine too, the man playing Tran won an oscar. His own personal life is very closely linked to the events in Cambodia too and this movie is also in part about him. He unfortunately got killed in the late 1990's, possibly by the Khmer in LA. Buy The Killing Fields at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Killing Fields Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Killing Fields This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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