Fairaher
The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
tomsview
I couldn't imagine anyone setting up an army recruitment centre next to a cinema where "King Rat" was playing.This is about as depressing a war film as they get.What a contrast it was to the mainly British prisoner of war movies we saw during the 1950's: "The Wooden Horse", "The Colditz Story", "Albert R.N. etc." They were usually of the stiff upper lip variety set in German prisoner of war camps. Despite the chaps being prisoners, the morale and the defiance was high with many a merry jape played on the Jerries. Admittedly, "A Town Like Alice" and "The Bridge on the River Kwai" were more sobering, the Japanese were not as amusing as captors, but even then there was still a nobility of sorts among the captives. "King Rat" is harsher. By the 1960's war movies had become ant-war and were often allegory for the 60's. The depiction of life in Changi shows a darker side of human nature with pettiness and spite adding to the horrors. Tom Courtney's zealous, class-conscious provost, Lieutenant Grey, expressed a similar post war view to Laurence Harvey's Joe Lampton in "Room at the Top".Having read about life in Japanese prison camps, it is apparent that survival depended a great deal on the good management of the prisoner's meagre funds of food and money. While some officers were not always up to the task, the grafters and risk-takers among the ranks often rose to the occasion. In "King Rat", the scamming American Corporal King epitomises the new order in a world gone mad. Although big name actors passed on the role of Corporal King, George Segal was the right man. George didn't change gears much, he always played that rather charming guy who somewhere in life became cynical about everyone's motives. His Corporal King is not that different to his characters in "The Quiller Memorandum", and "A Touch of Class", but he is good in them all. It would be hard to fault the look of this movie. It also has one of those innovative John Barry scores of the 1960's with an oriental flavour tinged with irony and tragedy. If "King Rat" has a fault it's that its view may be just too jaundiced, but "King Rat" was also a film of its time, and that was 15 years after the events on which it was based.
Richie-67-485852
Both are introduced into this movie but not like you would expect nor will you ever forget either. Most excellent entertaining movie showcasing the depth of human nature under harsh conditions and how each person handles all the different circumstances according to their skills, abilities and beliefs. Even the ones that don't do well survive in this classic prisoner of war drama but use resentment and fear to do so. However, don't be surprised because one must find what works to stay alive and last. This is the story of not only one such man who just comes alive and excels under all these challenging conditions but also those in his little world both on his team or just able to observe from a distance. Many things stand-out that make this a movie that one must see over and over again not just for the study in human nature under adverse conditions but for the memorable scenes expertly acted out. Notice how there is order in this camp but there is also real life outside of military discipline where rank doesn't get you much in a world where food, safety and perks abound. Why? You cannot command welfare or well-being but at best hope for it and take advantage when it comes but with a catch: How far are you willing to go? One learns he has to live with himself in making that decision. Its personal for everyone and some handle it better than others. Human suffering is never pretty but this movie manages to use it to teach valuable lessons and at the same time never forget what man can do to man especially in war. Realism, good story line and directing brings it all home with credible acting sealing the deal. Look forward to this gem and I highly recommend eating during this movie as there are several scenes involving food. One is appetizing while three others keep you alive and still another surprises but satisfies. Have finger foods, chips, popcorn and definitely a tasty drink with your favorite candy too. Great flick for sunflower or pumpkin seeds BTW...health care is covered in this movie as in can you afford it and if not? The ending satisfies and the reality of it hits solidly home. I read the book which is excellent and have seen this movie many times and own the DVD too. Must for any library of the serious viewer
Edgar Allan Pooh
. . . to literal hot dog. KING RAT is a gastronomical smörgåsbord of WWII P.O.W. fare, from bugs to yolks. A sense of dread pervades KING RAT for most of its two and a quarter hour running time, even though the camp's Japanese captors rarely are on-screen. A sizable cemetery is shown for prisoners who've previously been executed, starved to death, or died from disease, but only a few fatalities are implied during the final months of the war covered by this story. There are no killings on-camera. Essentially, KING RAT is a "chick flick" for men, as the entire show focuses on the emotional relationships that develop between men under duress. No females appear anywhere, unless you count hens and rats. KING RAT is "fair and balanced," as Fox News likes to say, since none of the Japanese atrocities covered by such films as THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI are depicted here. KING RAT is NOT John Wayne's type of war movie. It's more like THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, without the nude girls, profanity, and booze.
John von K
My wife - who wasn't even born when King Rat was released - fell in love with George Segal as we watched this film last night. This film really does stand the test of time. Apart from Mr Segal there is wonderful naturalistic work from James Fox and Tom Courtney, fully rounded cameos from Denham Elliot, James Donald and John Mills but for me the treat was the performance of Patrick O'Neal as Max. This American actor was never again put to such use on screen. John Barry's music is spare and works to. It's moving, frightening and dryly amusing. Fans of the novel will not be disappointed in Bryan Forbes adaptation or his sharp, unfussy and unsentimental direction.
