The Killing Fields

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Nominated in: 1985
Did it win? No, the Oscar went to Amadeus
Worth watching? Yes
Standout performance: Dr. Haing S. Nor as Dith Pran, Cambodian journalist and New York Times translator
Watchfl’s favorite quote: “I’m a reporter too, Morgan! I know his heart. I love him like my brother, and I’d do anything for him! Anything!” – Dith Pran

The Killing Fields is an almost overwhelming history lesson on the Vietnam War, specifically the atrocities in Cambodia. Non-history buffs like myself may feel a little excluded, as director Roland Joffe makes no effort to provide the audience with background about what is going on or who is on whose side. Whether that’s his way of reflecting the chaos of the situation or the sadly inaccurate perception that people understand this part of American history I don’t know. The audience is left to their own devices or, in my case, the pause button and Wikipedia, in establishing the historical backdrop of this gripping human drama.

This is the true story of New York Times Reporter Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston), who bravely (or stupidly, some argue) navigates the dangerous upheaval in Cambodia to report on the U.S. Armed Forces’ involvement. His translator, Cambodian journalist Dith Pran (Dr. Haing S. Nor in an exceptional, first-time performance), becomes a close friend. Despite the dangers they face daily, Sydney knows he and the rest of the foreign press corps can exit safely from their embassies at any time, and they are eventually forced to do just that. Not so for Pran, whose journalist friends work feverishly to save his life by getting him out of the country.

The Killing Fields is a truly amazing story of humanity’s ability to endure and fight for survival, and a subtle tribute to journalism. Roland Joffe has a talent for getting his audience emotionally involved immediately, and telling a story about people in the midst of complex plot. The conflict here is not the war, it’s Pran’s personal struggle to survive a national genocide.

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Filed under 1980-1989 Oscar Nominees, Drama, Non-winners