King Rat (1965)

Director:

Bryan Forbes

Writers:

James Clavell (novel)
Bryan Forbes (written for the screen by)

Release Date:

27 October 1965 (USA)

Genre:

War | Drama

Tagline:

He entered WWII a soldier... and left a King.

Plot:

The Japanese prisoner-of-war camp Changi in Singapore, which houses Allied POWs, is a living hell. The...

Plot Keywords:

Prisoner Of War | Singapore | WWII | Deep Focus | Japan

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination

Cast

George Segal	...	Corporal King: The American Hut
Tom Courtenay	...	Lt. Robin Grey: The Provost Staff
James Fox	...	Peter Marlowe: Hut 16
Patrick O'Neal	...	Top Sgt. Max: The American Hut
Denholm Elliott	...	Lt. G.D. Larkin: Hut 16
James Donald	...	Dr. Kennedy: The Hospital Staff
Todd Armstrong	...	Tex: The American Hut
John Mills	...	Col. George Smedley-Taylor: The Senior Officers
Gerald Sim	...	Lt. Col. Jones: The Senior Officers
Leonard Rossiter	...	Maj. McCoy: Hut 16
John Standing	...	Capt. Daven: Hut 16
Alan Webb	...	Col. Brant: The Senior Officers
John Ronane	...	Capt. Hawkins: Hut 16
Sammy Reese	...	Kurt: The American Hut
Michael Lees	...	Stevens: The Hospital Staff

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Norway:16 | Australia:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #20928) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Thousand Oaks, California, USA

Company:

Coleytown

Trivia:

In Interviews Bryan Forbes has said he had to fight the Screen Actors Guild over the most of the 15 British Equity members he wanted to cast. The Screen Actors Guild wanted British SAG members most who were fairly elderly most not suitable for the film.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Just before the camp is liberated we can hear an airplane fly over and it is definitely a propeller operated plane, however, the scene displays a jet flying over complete with vapor trails. However, the B-29 Bomber which is 4 engined prop plane which flew high enough to leave substantial contrails (30,000ft+). Bombers normally flew in large formations but this is a single aircraft which alludes to the Enola Gay which dropped the first Atomic bomb indicating that Japanese surrender imminent.

Quotes:

[King asks Marlowe to say something in Malay]
Peter Marlowe: What sort of thing?
Cpl. King: I don't care. Anything, I just wanna hear you.
[Marlowe says a sentence in Malay]
Cpl. King: Hey, that's pretty good. You hear that, Max?
[to Marlowe]
Cpl. King: What's that mean?
Peter Marlowe: Well, it doesn't really have a literal translation. But, uh, roughly speaking, it means, "When do I have to kiss the - - on the ass?"
[all the other prisoners in the barracks turn and look]
Cpl. King: After the egg. Never before meals.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Good Morning, Miss Bliss: The Boy Who Cried Rat (#1.8)" (1989)

"Gather round to hear the words of the King"

Many unforgettable films are to be found in the annals of World War II. Avid movie goers know which ones they are. Among my favorites are 'The Great Escape, The Blue Max, Cross of Iron, and of course, Sink The Bismark," But occasionally, a film is made which deviates from the superficial and ventures into the realm of the incredible. That is the essence of "King Rat." Here viewers are exposed to the harsh realities of what it takes to survive in a hell hole, like a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. Our hero, one, Cpl. King (George Segal) dwells amid hundreds of starving British and a few American P.O.W.s. However, unlike the rest, who are seen as listless, emaciated and dying , King is for the most part, healthy and appears none the worse for wear. One individual who daily wants to know why King, walks about nearly impervious to the obvious conditions is Lt. Robin Grey (Tom Courtenay, convincing in this role). It is his job as Camp Provost Marshal, to maintain order in a camp where smuggling, trading with the enemy and outright theft is common place. Knowing King is secretly dealing with the enemy, Robin daily waits for him to make a mistake. This will be difficult as King relies on the fact, everyone, regardless of rank seeks to stay alive by whatever means. Aiding King is Peter Marlowe (James Fox) who despite his higher rank readily joins King's other 'employees' such as Tex, (Todd Armstrong), Top Sgt. Max (Patrick O'Neal, Lt. G.D. Larkin, (Denholm Elliott), and Col. George Smedley-Taylor (John Mills). But it is the camp Doctor (James Donald) who asks the pertinent question of King. "What is your secret Cpl? Medically, it should be worth a fortune." Throughout this stark and tragic Black and White film, one is equally curious, until we discover King's dark secret. Once we know it, the anger is dissipated by the fact, the war will eventually be over. Then Cpl. King will be called upon to reveal it. A superior movie with top notch acting by every actor. ****