King Rat
Seen it?1965 | 134 min | Drama, War
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Flags of Our Fathers or The Thin Red Line, start here.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1965: an older pace and style.
When Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, the Allied POWs, mostly British but including a few Americans, were incarcerated in Changi prison. Among the American prisoners is Cpl. King, a wheeler-dealer who has managed to establish a pretty good life for himself in the camp. King soon forms a friendship with an upper-class British officer who is fascinated with King's enthusiastic approach to life.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 43K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bryan Forbes
- George SegalCorporal King
- James FoxPeter Marlowe
- Tom CourtenayGrey
- Patrick O'NealMax
- James DonaldDr. Kennedy
- John MillsSmedley-Taylor
- Denholm ElliottLarkin
- Leonard RossiterMcCoy
- Joe TurkelDino
- Todd ArmstrongTex