The Killing Fields ( 1984)

[metirish]

Streaming now on Netflix.

I watched it last night , probably haven't seen it since the 80s a beautifully shot movie about a terrible time in Cambodia's history. Nothing is held back , some gruesome stuff.

New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) is on assignment covering the Cambodian Civil War, with the help of local interpreter Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) and American photojournalist Al Rockoff (John Malkovich). 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.

Source - Google

Brilliant performances all around

[Edgy MD]

I went for four. I could be convinced to elevate it to five.

It kind of conflates itself with The Year of Living Dangerously in my head (scary times for foreign correspondents in a tumultuous time for a South Pacific nation), but is probably a better film despite a more quotidian approach.

[Frayed Knot]

This is one which, for some reason or another, I never got around to.

[cal sharpie]

Went with four also. Spalding Gray had a rare film role in it.

[MFS62]

The only thing keeping my vote from a five is that I had seen all the bally-hoo before I went to see it and was somehow disappointed it wasn't better than it was. If I see it again, I may change my rating. But I do remember thinking that Haing S. Ngor deserved his supporting actor Oscar.

Later