KING RAT is an interesting character study that takes place in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. It's an adaptation of a novel by James Clavell that was based on his own war-time experiences. This is a lengthy black-and-white ensemble production that eschews the usual POW film plottings - there are no escape attempts, for example - to instead explore the mental health and well being of those inside the camp.
George Segal's main character is an amoral wheeler-dealer, one of those guys who always makes the best out of a situation. James Fox is the idealistic upper-class type who comes to befriend him. Tom Courtenay has a good role as the by-the-book youth who becomes the story's main antagonist, while John Mills is very good in just a handful of scenes. The main problem with this film is the overlong running time that makes it drag (particularly during the first hour), but it does build to a powerful and unusual climax.
George Segal's main character is an amoral wheeler-dealer, one of those guys who always makes the best out of a situation. James Fox is the idealistic upper-class type who comes to befriend him. Tom Courtenay has a good role as the by-the-book youth who becomes the story's main antagonist, while John Mills is very good in just a handful of scenes. The main problem with this film is the overlong running time that makes it drag (particularly during the first hour), but it does build to a powerful and unusual climax.