An Oscar-winning 1980s war drama, The Killing Fields, which has a 93 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is available on Prime Video. A harrowing and powerful biographical war flick directed by Roland Joffé, it has been described by critics as a “masterpiece.” Featuring a star-studded cast including John Malkovich, Sam Waterston, Bill Paterson, and Julian Sands, the film showcased the brutal reality of the Cambodian Civil War and the Khmer Rouge genocide.
The 2-hour-long drama was a box office success, receiving seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. It won the award for Best Supporting Actor for Haing S. Ngor, who had no previous acting experience. The Killing Fields has often been described as one of the best war movies ever made. The plot follows New York Times journalist Sydney Schanberg as he investigates the atrocities of the Cambodian Civil War. It also tracks his close friendship with fellow journalist Dith Pran, who attempts to survive the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.
The film was praised by critics and viewers alike, as it flawlessly and authentically portrayed a lesser-known conflict. Like any war film that makes an impact, the film’s narrative left viewers in tears as the final scene provided a haunting look at one of the world’s worst genocides.
Molly Haskell from Vogue wrote, “This is one of the quietest “war” movies ever made; yet, it’s an indelible portrait of the excitement, horror, and confusion with which journalists experience war.”
Critic Mike Massie also commented, “By the end, when an anticipated convergence finally transpires, it’s quite the moment – an against-all-odds type of tear-jerking finale that helps to redeem many of the lulls from before.”
A writer from Radio Times also said, “Few feature films have captured a nation’s agony more dramatically than Roland Joff’s The Killing Fields.”
Pete Travers from People Magazine said, “If you see no more than one film a year, make this the one for 1984.”
The British Film Institute (BFI) voted it one of the greatest British films of the 20th century in 1999. It also won eight BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Actor categories.
The Killing Fields can be streamed on Prime Video.