The Killing Fields
The Killing Fields ★★★½ 1984 (R)
Based on the New York Times' Sydney Schanberg's account of his friendship with Cambodian interpreter Dith Pran. They separated during the fall of Saigon, when Western journalists fled, leaving behind countless assistants who were later accused of collusion with the enemy by the Khmer Rouge and killed or sent to reeducation camps during the bloodbath known as “Year Zero.” Schanberg searched for Pran through the Red Cross and U.S. government, while Pran struggled to survive, finally escaping and walking miles to freedom. Ngor's own experiences echoed those of his character Pran. Malkovich's debut is intense. Joffe's directorial debut shows a generally sure hand, with only a bit of melodrama at the end. 142m/C VHS, DVD . GB Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Athol Fugard, Craig T. Nelson, Julian Sands, Spalding Gray, Bill Paterson; D: Roland Joffe; W: Bruce Robinson; C: Chris Menges. Oscars ‘84: Cinematog., Film Editing, Support. Actor (Ngor); British Acad. ‘84: Actor (Ngor), Adapt. Screenplay, Film; Golden Globes ‘85: Support. Actor (Ngor); L.A. Film Critics ‘84: Cinematog.; N.Y. Film Critics ‘84: Cinematog.; Natl. Soc. Film Critics ‘84: Cinematog.; Writers Guild ‘84: Adapt. Screenplay.