King Rat (1965)

Both are introduced into this movie but not like you would expect nor will you ever forget either. Most excellent entertaining movie showcasing the depth of human nature under harsh conditions and how each person handles all the different circumstances according to their skills, abilities and beliefs. Even the ones that don't do well survive in this classic prisoner of war drama but use resentment and fear to do so. However, don't be surprised because one must find what works to stay alive and last. This is the story of not only one such man who just comes alive and excels under all these challenging conditions but also those in his little world both on his team or just able to observe from a distance. Many things stand-out that make this a movie that one must see over and over again not just for the study in human nature under adverse conditions but for the memorable scenes expertly acted out. Notice how there is order in this camp but there is also real life outside of military discipline where rank doesn't get you much in a world where food, safety and perks abound. Why? You cannot command welfare or well-being but at best hope for it and take advantage when it comes but with a catch: How far are you willing to go? One learns he has to live with himself in making that decision. Its personal for everyone and some handle it better than others. Human suffering is never pretty but this movie manages to use it to teach valuable lessons and at the same time never forget what man can do to man especially in war. Realism, good story line and directing brings it all home with credible acting sealing the deal. Look forward to this gem and I highly recommend eating during this movie as there are several scenes involving food. One is appetizing while three others keep you alive and still another surprises but satisfies. Have finger foods, chips, popcorn and definitely a tasty drink with your favorite candy too. Great flick for sunflower or pumpkin seeds BTW...health care is covered in this movie as in can you afford it and if not? The ending satisfies and the reality of it hits solidly home. I read the book which is excellent and have seen this movie many times and own the DVD too. Must for any library of the serious viewer

. . . to literal hot dog. KING RAT is a gastronomical smörgåsbord of WWII P.O.W. fare, from bugs to yolks. A sense of dread pervades KING RAT for most of its two and a quarter hour running time, even though the camp's Japanese captors rarely are on-screen. A sizable cemetery is shown for prisoners who've previously been executed, starved to death, or died from disease, but only a few fatalities are implied during the final months of the war covered by this story. There are no killings on-camera. Essentially, KING RAT is a "chick flick" for men, as the entire show focuses on the emotional relationships that develop between men under duress. No females appear anywhere, unless you count hens and rats. KING RAT is "fair and balanced," as Fox News likes to say, since none of the Japanese atrocities covered by such films as THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI are depicted here. KING RAT is NOT John Wayne's type of war movie. It's more like THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, without the nude girls, profanity, and booze.

I can count on one hand the number of movies I have seen where I can say the movies is just as good as the book, and King Rat is one of them. This is one of those lost or forgotten movie gems it seems not a lot of people have heard about, yet when they see it are blown away by the story line and the awesome acting that takes place in this film. If you want to know what it's like to waste away in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II, you need not look any further than this film.George Segal plays the king, an American POW who is hustling to not only stay alive, but to even prosper given the situation. He's admired and hated by just about everyone in the camp.

Never viewed this film before and recently viewed this film on TCM and was amazed at the great acting of George Segal, (Corporal King) who was a wheel and dealer at the POW camp and was able to make plenty of money and was able to provide jobs for a few of his American and British POW's. This POW Camp was located in Changi in Singpore and was not a prison with large fences, because the prisoners were surrounded by water and a jungle. The officers had huts made of straw and this was considered a hell hole of a place where you went to bed in sweat and woke up in sweat with plenty of flies to keep you company. Some people were fed rat meat and on one occasion they had dog for supper. George Segal and James Fox both gave an excellent performance in this film about prisoners of war during World War II.