description King Rat Overview
King Rat is a 1965 war drama written and directed by Bryan Forbes, adapted from James Clavell's novel. Set among Allied prisoners in Singapore's Changi Prison during the Second World War, it stars George Segal as an American corporal who survives through trading, bargaining, and manipulation. The film examines captivity as a social system in which scarcity produces its own hierarchies, moral compromises, and conflicts between military rules and practical survival.
help King Rat FAQ
What is the plot of the 1965 film King Rat?
King Rat is a war drama set in Singapore's Changi Prison during the Second World War, where Allied soldiers are held by the Japanese. It follows an American corporal named King who survives the brutal camp conditions by operating a lucrative black market trading system.
Is King Rat based on a true story or a book?
The film is based on the 1962 novel of the same name by James Clavell, who actually was a prisoner of war at Changi Prison. While the story is fiction, Clavell drew heavily on his own harrowing experiences in the Japanese POW camp to write it.
Who stars in the movie King Rat and who directed it?
The film stars George Segal as the cunning protagonist Corporal King, alongside John Mills as a British officer. It was adapted for the screen and directed by Bryan Forbes.
Did King Rat receive any Academy Award nominations?
Yes, the film received two nominations at the 38th Academy Awards. It was recognized for its striking black-and-white cinematography and its detailed art direction.
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