Australia FilmBooster.com.au
Advanced search

The Killing Fields

  • USA The Killing Fields
all posters
Trailer
83%
729. Best
Ratings and fans
Drama / War / Historical
UK, 1984, 141 min

Plots(1)

The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg. Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975, Schanberg (Sam Waterston) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens; instead, the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon (a recreation of the famous TV news clip), Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt, Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape, but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran, Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, and his attempt to escape on his own. (Umbrella Entertainment)

(more)

Awards

  • Winner
  • Nominations

Academy Awards

  • 1985 - Haing S. Ngor (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
  • 1985 - Chris Menges (Best Achievement in Cinematography)
  • 1985 - Best Achievement in Film Editing
  • 1985 - Best Motion Picture of the Year
  • 1985 - Roland Joffé (Best Achievement in Directing)
  • 1985 - Sam Waterston (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role)
  • 1985 - Bruce Robinson (Best Adapted Screenplay)