The Killing Fields Movie Review 1984

Based on the New York Times' Sydney Schanberg's account of his friendship with Cambodian interpreter Dith Pran. They separated during the fall of Saigon, when Western journalists fled, leaving behind countless assistants who were later accused of collusion with the enemy by the Khmer Rouge and killed or sent to re-education camps during the bloodbath known as "Year Zero." Schanberg searched for Pran through the Red Cross and U.S. government, while Pran struggled to survive, finally escaping and walking miles to freedom. Ngor's own experiences echoed those of his character Pran. Malkovich's debut is intense. Joffe's directorial debut shows a generally sure hand, with only a bit of melodrama at the end.

Distribution

Simon Wiesenthal Center, 1399 S. Roxbury, Los Angeles, CA 90035, Phone: (310)553-9036, Toll-free: 800-900-9036, Fax: (310)553-4521, Email: information@wiesenthal.net, URL: http://www.wiesenthal.com

Available on VHS
Running time 142 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Asia, Survival, True Stories, Buddies, Vietnam War, Front Page, Cambodia

Screenplay

Bruce Robinson

Cast

Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Athol Fugard, Craig T. Nelson, Julian Sands, Spalding Gray, Bill Paterson

Cinematography

Chris Menges

Director

Roland Joffe

Awards

Oscars 1984: Cinematog., Film Editing, Support. Actor (Ngor); British Acad. 1984: Actor (Ngor), Adapt. Screenplay, Film; Golden Globes 1985: Support. Actor (Ngor); L.A. Film Critics 1984: Cinematog.; N.Y. Film Critics 1984: Cinematog.; Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1984: Cinematog.; Writers Guild 1984: Adapt. Screenplay.