The Killing Fields
Seen it?1984 | 142 min | Drama, History, War
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 3 Oscars and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
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 Apocalypse Now or Platoon, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Harrowing.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 22 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Academy Awards: Best Film Editing. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Won 8 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, British Academy Film Awards: Best Cinematography and 4 more. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars, 6 more Golden Globes and 3 more BAFTAs. Plus 12 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$35 million worldwide on a $14 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 339K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Roland Joffé
- Sam WaterstonSydney Schanberg
- Haing S. NgorDith Pran
- John MalkovichAl Rockoff
- Julian SandsJon Swain
- Craig T. NelsonMilitary Attaché
- Spalding GrayU.S. Consul
- Bill PatersonDr. MacEntire
- Athol FugardDr. Sundesval
- Graham KennedyDougal
- Katherine Krapum CheySer Moeum (Pran's Wife)