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IMDbPro

King Rat

  • 19651965
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
George Segal in King Rat (1965)
  • Drama
  • War
Fast-talking wheeler-dealer Corporal King is stuck in a Malaysian P.O.W. camp during World War II and uses bribery and larceny to take de-facto control of the camp.Fast-talking wheeler-dealer Corporal King is stuck in a Malaysian P.O.W. camp during World War II and uses bribery and larceny to take de-facto control of the camp.Fast-talking wheeler-dealer Corporal King is stuck in a Malaysian P.O.W. camp during World War II and uses bribery and larceny to take de-facto control of the camp.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bryan Forbes
  • Writers
    • James Clavell(based on a novel by)
    • Bryan Forbes(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • George Segal
    • Tom Courtenay
    • James Fox
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bryan Forbes
  • Writers
    • James Clavell(based on a novel by)
    • Bryan Forbes(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • George Segal
    • Tom Courtenay
    • James Fox
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 57User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 3 nominations total

    Photos75

    Sean Connery at "King Rat" Party at Whiskey A Go Go, 1965
    King Rat (1965)
    George Segal in King Rat (1965)
    George Segal in King Rat (1965)
    George Segal in King Rat (1965)
    George Segal in King Rat (1965)
    Tom Courtenay in King Rat (1965)
    Tom Courtenay and James Fox in King Rat (1965)
    King Rat (1965)
    Richard Dawson in King Rat (1965)
    James Fox in King Rat (1965)
    James Fox in King Rat (1965)

    Top cast

    Edit
    George Segal
    George Segal
    • Corporal Kingas Corporal King
    Tom Courtenay
    Tom Courtenay
    • Greyas Grey
    James Fox
    James Fox
    • Marloweas Marlowe
    Patrick O'Neal
    Patrick O'Neal
    • Maxas Max
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Lt. Col. G.D. Larkinas Lt. Col. G.D. Larkin
    James Donald
    James Donald
    • Dr. Kennedyas Dr. Kennedy
    Todd Armstrong
    Todd Armstrong
    • Texas Tex
    John Mills
    John Mills
    • Smedley-Tayloras Smedley-Taylor
    Gerald Sim
    Gerald Sim
    • Jonesas Jones
    Leonard Rossiter
    Leonard Rossiter
    • McCoyas McCoy
    John Standing
    John Standing
    • Davenas Daven
    Alan Webb
    Alan Webb
    • Brantas Brant
    John Ronane
    • Hawkinsas Hawkins
    Sam Reese
    Sam Reese
    • Kurtas Kurt
    • (as Sammy Reese)
    Michael Lees
    Michael Lees
    • Stevensas Stevens
    Wright King
    Wright King
    • Broughas Brough
    Hamilton Dyce
    • The Padreas The Padre
    Joe Turkel
    Joe Turkel
    • Dinoas Dino
    • (as Joseph Turkel)
    • Director
      • Bryan Forbes
    • Writers
      • James Clavell(based on a novel by)
      • Bryan Forbes(written for the screen by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Due to the cast, director and setting, this is often assumed to be a British movie, but it was entirely filmed in California.
    • Goofs
      The shoulder patch that Cpl. King (George Segal) is wearing is that of the 34th Infantry Division (Red Bull). The 34th ID served in the European Theater of Operations, not in the Pacific. The 34th ID patch is a black Mexican water jug called an "olla" with a red bull's skull superimposed. Almost all the POWs at Changi were British or Commonwealth soldiers captured at the surrender of Singapore on Feb. 15, 1942, but there also were POWs from the Netherlands East Indies, which surrendered in March. The only sizable U.S. unit at Changi was Co. E, 2nd Btn, 131st Field Artillery Regt., part of the Army's 36th ID (the "Texas Division"). The Second Battalion, which became known as the Texas National Guard's "Lost Battalion," was detached from the 36th ID in the States and shipped to the Pacific in November 1941, but when the Japanese attacked the Philippines in December, the battalion's convoy was diverted from Manila to Brisbane, Australia. In January the battalion was sent to Java, in the Netherlands East Indies. The battalion was the only U.S. ground unit in Java when the NEI surrendered to the Japanese on March 9, 1942. Most men in the battalion were transferred to Singapore later that year and, along with thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers, were used by the Japanese as slave labor to build the infamous "Death Railway" connecting Bangkok to Rangoon. Company E of the 2nd Battalion, separated from the rest of the unit on Java, was at Changi briefly in October-November 1942 before being sent to Japan as slave laborers. It would be plausible that Cpl. King was a member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, and that the movie's costumers got the wrong division patch for his uniform.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Robin Grey: Why do you think it is, Corporal, that you have so much and the rest of us so little? One day, Corporal, you're going to make a slip. All this wealth you've got isn't going to check against my list. And when you do; when that happens... I'll be ready. And you'll be in there...

      [points to the bamboo cage]

      Lt. Robin Grey: in my cage. I'm not playing at being provost marshall, you know. And I've never yet heard of a run of luck that didn't run out. And yours will - depend on it - because you're like all criminals: you're greedy.

      Cpl. King: Lieutenant, I'd like to point out to you that I don't have to put up with this crap from you. I'm not in your two-bit army, I'm in our two-bit army. If you're looking for something to live for, when we get out of this you come looking for me and I'll hand you your head.

    • Crazy credits
      [Prologue] This is not a story of escape. It is a story of survival.

      It is set in Changi Jail Singapore, in 1945

      The Japanese did not have to guard Changi as a normal prison of war camp. The inmates of Changi had no friendly Swiss border or any other neutral country within reach. They were held captive not so much by high walls, or barbed wire, or machine-gun posts, but by the land and sea around them - and the jungle was not neutral, nor was the ocean.

      They did not live in Changi. They existed. This is the story of that existence.
    • Connections
      Featured in A Walk on the Moon (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Adeste Fideles
      (uncredited)

      Written by Frederick Oakeley (1841)

      Variation sung in distant background by POWs

    User reviews57

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    "Gather round to hear the words of the King"
    Many unforgettable films are to be found in the annals of World War II. Avid movie goers know which ones they are. Among my favorites are 'The Great Escape, The Blue Max, Cross of Iron, and of course, Sink The Bismark," But occasionally, a film is made which deviates from the superficial and ventures into the realm of the incredible. That is the essence of "King Rat." Here viewers are exposed to the harsh realities of what it takes to survive in a hell hole, like a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. Our hero, one, Cpl. King (George Segal) dwells amid hundreds of starving British and a few American P.O.W.s. However, unlike the rest, who are seen as listless, emaciated and dying , King is for the most part, healthy and appears none the worse for wear. One individual who daily wants to know why King, walks about nearly impervious to the obvious conditions is Lt. Robin Grey (Tom Courtenay, convincing in this role). It is his job as Camp Provost Marshal, to maintain order in a camp where smuggling, trading with the enemy and outright theft is common place. Knowing King is secretly dealing with the enemy, Robin daily waits for him to make a mistake. This will be difficult as King relies on the fact, everyone, regardless of rank seeks to stay alive by whatever means. Aiding King is Peter Marlowe (James Fox) who despite his higher rank readily joins King's other 'employees' such as Tex, (Todd Armstrong), Top Sgt. Max (Patrick O'Neal, Lt. G.D. Larkin, (Denholm Elliott), and Col. George Smedley-Taylor (John Mills). But it is the camp Doctor (James Donald) who asks the pertinent question of King. "What is your secret Cpl? Medically, it should be worth a fortune." Throughout this stark and tragic Black and White film, one is equally curious, until we discover King's dark secret. Once we know it, the anger is dissipated by the fact, the war will eventually be over. Then Cpl. King will be called upon to reveal it. A superior movie with top notch acting by every actor. ****
    helpful•27
    3
    • thinker1691
    • Jun 28, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 27, 1965 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Malay
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Sie nannten ihn King
    • Filming locations
      • Thousand Oaks, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Coleytown
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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