The Killing Fields [DVD] [1984]

These are the words spoken by Dith Pran as images of the unspeakable horrors of the Cambodian revolution fill the screen. The Killing Fields is a film that leaves a lasting emotional impression.

It portrays the real life friendship between NY Times correspondent Sydney Schomberg (Sam Waterson) and his Cambodian interpreter Dith Pran (Haing Ngor). The film depicts events stretching over a seven-year period, from the 1973 American bombing of Neak Luang village, to the Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975, and their eventual fall following the 1978 Vietnamese invasion. With such a difficult and disturbing subject matter and a complex timeframe the film could easily have floundered. Instead it succeeds because it filters these events through the eyes of two men, which bestows it with a real interpretive power.
It is superficially similar to Salvador directed by Oliver Stone. Both films critique the negative consequences of American military involvement in poor war-torn countries by depicting the work of journalists. However, inspite of the fact that the guilt of Schomberg at leaving his friend to suffer in Cambodia is intended to mirror the wider American involvement and subsequent neglect of that country (portrayed in one powerful scene), the content is never as bluntly political. It is very much more a personal account, and whilst the images shock, they are naturalistic in style and never as over-blown as in Salvador. The performances are very strong and full of integrity. Particularly moving is Ngor, whose Oscar winning portrayal of Dith Pran struggling to survive the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime is drawn from his own personal experience as a survivor of the atrocities. This film draws attention to one of the most regrettable chapters in recent history, and that in itself is valuable. However, perhaps its most remarkable achievement is to demonstrate in an extremely moving account the resilience of the human spirit in the face of despair.

Why is it so good then?

This is a love story, about the love between two men. It is harrowing, heartwrenching, breathtaking and overpowering. It follows the plights of both men, thousands of miles apart, one fighting for his life, the other fighting with his guilt.

Dith Pran (Dr Ngor), victim of the brutal Khymer Rouge, has got to be one of the most convincing portrayals of fear and depseration ever captured on film. If you can watch his plight and remained unmoved, then seek clinical help, your heart has stopped!

If by the end of this film, you haven't choked back a large amount of tears, then rewind it, because you didn't see it, you only watched it!

The whole thing builds up to the final scene which, although very short and simple, can't fail to wrench at your heart. I last saw it many years ago and it brings tears to my eyes just to think of it - no kidding. If you're a bit girlie, you'll need some tissues on standby. If you're a big tough guy, you'll have to ask your girl for some !