The Killing Fields (1984)

The Killing Fields (1984) — Biography / Drama / History Set during the chaotic collapse of Cambodia into Pol Pot’s “Year Zero,” The Killing Fields follows New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg and his close colleague and interpreter, Dith Pran. As American forces withdraw and the Khmer Rouge seize control, Schanberg is able to leave the country while Pran, a Cambodian, becomes trapped. What begins as frontline reporting turns into a desperate, years‑long struggle — both to survive under an increasingly brutal regime and to rescue a friend across impossible odds. What you’ll experience: - A tense, unflinching portrayal of war and the Khmer Rouge’s brutal purges — scenes of evacuation, forced labor, and the human cost of political cleansing. - A powerful personal story of friendship, loyalty and survivor’s guilt as an American journalist confronts his inability to protect his local colleague. - Emotionally raw moments that alternate between the work of reporting and the intimate, harrowing realities of life under a genocidal regime. - A blend of historical scope and close, character-driven drama that makes the political catastrophe feel immediate and deeply personal. The Killing Fields is both a gripping journalistic chronicle and a wrenching human drama — heavy, moving, and unforgettable for viewers who want a sober, immersive look at one of the 20th century’s darkest episodes.

Actors: Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich

Director: Roland Joffé

Runtime: 141 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, History

7.5 /10 76 /100 7.8 /10 7.6 /10