It must be nerve-racking for the producers to offer a tale so lacking in standard melodramatic satisfactions. But the result is worth it, for this is the clearest film statement yet on how the nature of heroism has changed in this totalitarian century.
The Killing Fields
Here, only the silent survive.
1984 · 2h 22m · R
Drama, History, War
Directed by
Roland Joffé
Overview
New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg is on assignment covering the Cambodian Civil War, with the help of local interpreter Dith Pran and American photojournalist Al Rockoff. When the U.S. Army pulls out amid escalating violence, Schanberg makes exit arrangements for Pran and his family. Pran, however, tells Schanberg he intends to stay in Cambodia to help cover the unfolding story — a decision he may regret as the Khmer Rouge rebels move in.
Director and cast
- Roland Joffé Director
- Sam Waterston as Sydney Schanberg
- Haing S. Ngor as Dith Pran
- John Malkovich as Alan 'Al' Rockoff, Photographer
- Julian Sands as Jon Swain
- Craig T. Nelson as Major Reeves, Military Attache
- Spalding Gray as United States consul
- Bill Paterson as Dr. MacEntire
- Katherine Krapum Chey Cast
- Athol Fugard Cast
- Oliver Pierpaoli Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
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.
The film's overall thrust - angry, intelligent, compassionate -- makes this producer Puttnam's finest movie to date.
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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