Review of The Killing Fields (1984) by Danny R — 07 Apr 2011
A devastating, searing true life war story focusing on the war reporting of New York Times correspondent Sydney Schanberg, played by Sam Waterston in a superlative Oscar nominated performance, he won a Pulizer Prize for his coverage of the civil war in Cambodia before its capital, Phnom Phenh, fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975.
Stunningly photographed on location in Thailand, directed with great skill and intelligence by Roland Joffe, with powerful Oscar winning cinematography by Christopher Menges, who captures the full horror of this Asian holocaust, in which about three million Cambodians perished, in a inhuman campaign of ethnic cleansing by the tyrant Pol Pot.
Lacerating scenes include those involving Schanberg's desperate attempts to free his friend and Cambodian assistant, Dith Pran, played by the late Dr. Haing S. Nigor, who in real life was a survivor of this human tragedy, he delivers a heartfelt and unforgettable Oscar winning performance, he is left behind in the chaos, and must survive the living nightmare of the Khmer Rouge's "re-education camp.
' a contemporary version of hell on earth. The film also features exceptional supporting performances by John Malkovich, Julian Sands, Craig T. Nelson, Athol Fugard, Spalding Gary and Bill Paterson.
A poignant and intensely moving film, which is one of the most powerful haunting motion pictures ever made on the subject of the Vietnam War. Winner of 3 Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor: Dr. Haing S.
Ngor, Best Cinematography: Christopher Menges, Best Film Editing: Jim Clark. Note: On Feburuary 25, 1996 Dr. Haing S. Nor was found murdered in the garage of his apartment building, shot to death at the age of 55, in Los Angeles, it is very sad and ironic that a man who endured and survived 4 years of imprisonment, torture and starvation during the Khmer Rogue atrocities in his homeland, and struggled to be free, should die so brutally.
His relatives and friends believe that his killing was revenge for his opposition of the Khmer Rogue. Highly Recommend.
This review of The Killing Fields (1984) was written by Danny R on 07 Apr 2011.
The Killing Fields has generally received very positive reviews.
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