”Here, only the silent survive.” Dith Pran

The Killing Fields covers the communist takeover of Cambodia by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge during the 1970s and the gruesome massacre of three million persons in rural Cambodia.

The story is told from the point of view of Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) a reporter for the New York Times, and is based on his Pulitzer Prize winning story published in the NYT. Assisting Schanberg is his interpreter and general factotum Dith Pran (Dr. Haing S. Ngor) the REAL star of the drama.

The first half of the film covers the men’s work as reporters in Phnom Penh and establishes their relationship. When things start to heat up due to American withdrawal from neighboring Vietnam, most foreigners leave the country but Schanberg and Pran stay, covering the communist takeover. Finally the Khmer Rouge captures them, releasing Schanberg, who returns to NYC. Pran, they keep, and transfer him to a forced re-education camp in the hinterlands of Cambodia. This is where the story kicks in to high gear and Pran (Haing S. Ngor) carries almost the entire second half by himself, earning a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar in the process. After about four years captivity and a couple of foiled escape attempts, Dith Pran finally walks across Cambodia to freedom in neighboring Thailand.

The Killing Fields, directed by first-timer Roland Joffe is a compelling view of some uncomfortable truths seen through the relationship of Schanberg and Pran. And on this human level the film succeeds admirably. It falters a bit on the polemics that would do a Michael Moore proud. Schanberg’s knee-jerk liberal denouncing of Nixon and blaming Americans in general for Cambodia’s problems reflect the times, at least through his eyes, but they certainly don’t reflect the truth of the situation. The Mike Oldfield score is jarring and intrusive and not very well adapted to the beautifully framed shots by cinematographer Chris Menges.

Haing S. Ngor is the heart and soul of the story. He actually lived through the killing fields and was asked to repeat his torments for the film. Sam Waterston and John Malkovich played prominent parts in the film but neither had the gravitas displayed by Haing in his first film appearance. The film is generally unpleasant, except for the uplifting experience of watching Haing persevere and ultimately become reunited with Schanberg, although the selection of John Lennon’s “Imagine” as background music for the reunion is questionable.

The Warner Bros. DVD runs 142 minutes, is presented in 1.85:1 theatrical format, has Dolby 5.1 sound, and has language and subtitles available in English and French. A worthwhile audio commentary by Director Roland Joffe and extra archival footage completes the package.

The Killing Fields is an excellent way to become acquainted with some of the little known goings-on in Southeast Asia.

Watch a good film tonight!


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening