King Rat (1965)

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James Clavell incorporated a few of his own experiences as a British POW in his novel King Rat. Bryan Forbes' film version stars George Segal as the mastermind of all black market operations in a Japanese prison camp. He is called "King Rat" because of his breeding of rodents to serve as food for… More James Clavell incorporated a few of his own experiences as a British POW in his novel King Rat. Bryan Forbes' film version stars George Segal as the mastermind of all black market operations in a Japanese prison camp. He is called "King Rat" because of his breeding of rodents to serve as food for his emaciated fellow prisoners; the nickname also alludes to Segal's shifty personality. British officer James Fox helps Segal expand his operation to include trading with the Japanese officers. Though on surface level a thoroughly selfish sort, Segal saves the ailing Fox's life by wangling precious antibiotics from the guards. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Bryan Forbes
Written By: Bryan Forbes
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 27, 1965 Wide
On DVD: May 6, 2003
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
In this environment, a hustler like King is sure to thrive, just as any resourceful rat would

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xGary X

This story of prisoners of war in a WWII japanese prison camp is based on true experiences, and is far more concerned with the harsh realities of surviving the terrible hardships of day to day life than derring do and cunning escape plans. George Segal plays a cynical hustler who… More
This story of prisoners of war in a WWII japanese prison camp is based on true experiences, and is far more concerned with the harsh realities of surviving the terrible hardships of day to day life than derring do and cunning escape plans. George Segal plays a cynical hustler who seems far more adept at making the best of his predicament, and as such the other prisoners either ally themselves with or despise him. James Fox is excellent as the british officer who befriends him and humour and drama unfolds as the camps differing factions motives and hypocrisies are exposed. Best described as a cross between The Bridge On The River Kwai and Stalag 17, it is not quite their measure, but it's a damn good film in it's own right.

Cast

            George Segal as Corporal King

            Tom Courtenay as Lieutenant Grey

            James Fox as Peter Marlowe

            Patrick O'Neal as Max

            Denholm Elliott as Lieutenant Colonel Larkin

            John Mills as Col. Smedley-Taylor

            James Donald as Dr. Kennedy

            Todd Armstrong as Tex

            Leonard Rossiter as Major McCoy

            John Standing as Capt. Daven

            Alan Webb as Col. Brant

            John Ronane as Capt. Hawkins

            Hamilton Dyce as Chaplain Drinkwater

            Joe Turkel as Dino

            Geoffrey Bayldon as Squadron Leader Vexley

            George Pelling as Maj. Barry

            Dale Ishimoto as Yoshima

            Edward Ashley as Prouty

            John Barclay as Spence

            Laurence Conroy as Townsend

            Richard Dawson as Weaver

            Roy Dean as Peterson

            William Fawcett as Steinmetz

            David Frankham as Cox

            David Haviland as Master

            Dick Johnson as Pop

            Wright King as Brough

            Michael Scott Lees as Stevens

            Reg Lye as Tinkerbell

            Arthur Malet as Makeley

            Hedley Mattingly as Dr. Prodhomme

            John Merivale as Foster

            John Orchard as Private Gurble

            Sammy Reese as Kurt

            Teru Shimada as Japanese General

            Gerald Sim as Col. Jones

            Michael Stroka as Miller

            John Warburton as Commandant

            Brian Gaffikin as Prisoner in hut
See full cast

King Rat (1965)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

Cast

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