The Killing Fields

The Killing Fields (DVD) (*)

~~$20.99~~ $14.97

Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
Ceasar Awards
David Donatello Awards
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
136 min

Aspect Ratio:
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen
Commentary
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Trailer(s)
Black & White
Booklet
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1984 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Roland Joffe

Written By:
Bruce Robinson

Actors:
Sam Waterston ..... Sydney Schanberg
Haing S. Ngor ..... Dith Pran
John Malkovich ..... Alan 'Al' Rockoff
Julian Sands ..... John Swain
Craig T. Nelson ..... Major Reeves
Spalding Gray ..... U.S. Consul
Bill Paterson ..... Dr. MacEntire
Athol Fugard ..... Dr. Sundesval
Graham Kennedy ..... Dougal
Katherine Krapum Chey ..... Ser Moeum
Oliver Pierpaoli ..... Titony
Edward Entero Chey ..... Sarun
Tom Bird ..... U.S. Military Advisor
Monirak Sisowath ..... Phat - Khmer Rouge Leader
Lambool Dtangpaibool ..... Phat's Son

Synopsis:

The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg. Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975, Schanberg (Sam Waterston) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens; instead, the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon (a recreation of the famous TV news clip), Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt, Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape, but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran, Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, and his attempt to escape on his own. The Killing Fields won Academy Awards for Hang S. Ngor (a Cambodian doctor who lived through many of the horrific events depicted herein), cinematographer Chris Menges, and editor Jim Clark; an Oscar nomination went to Roland Joffe, who made his directorial debut with this film. Spalding Gray, who played a small role in the film, later elaborated on this experiences in his one-man stage presentation Swimming to Cambodia.

Sydney Schanberg is a New York Times journalist covering the civil war in Cambodia. Together with local representative Dith Pran, they cover some of the tragedy and madness of the war. When the American forces leave, Dith Pran sends his family with them, but stays behind himself to help Schanberg cover the event. As an American, Schanberg won't have any trouble leaving the country, but the situation is different for Pran; he's a local, and the Khmer Rouge are moving in.

Every so often, there is a film that is destined to be talked about and remembered for years to come. In the days after the American evacuation of Cambodia, New York Times reporter Sidney Schanberg stayed behind, putting his life and the lives of those around him in jeopardy. Based on his memoirs.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 30 October, 2011.