Directed by:
Roland JofféScreenplay:
Bruce RobinsonCinematography:
Chris MengesComposer:
Mike OldfieldCast:
Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Julian Sands, Craig T. Nelson, Spalding Gray, Bill Paterson, Athol Fugard, Mark Long, Patrick Malahide (more)Plots(1)
The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg. Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975, Schanberg (Sam Waterston) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens; instead, the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon (a recreation of the famous TV news clip), Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt, Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape, but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran, Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, and his attempt to escape on his own. (Umbrella Entertainment)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 1985 - Haing S. Ngor (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
- 1985 - Chris Menges (Best Achievement in Cinematography)
- 1985 - Best Achievement in Film Editing
- 1985 - Best Motion Picture of the Year
- 1985 - Roland Joffé (Best Achievement in Directing)
- 1985 - Sam Waterston (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role)
- 1985 - Bruce Robinson (Best Adapted Screenplay)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
- 1985 - Best Film
- 1985 - Haing S. Ngor (Best Leading Actor)
- 1985 - Bruce Robinson (Best Adapted Screenplay)
- 1985 - Chris Menges (Best Cinematography)
- 1985 - Best Editing
- 1985 - Best Sound
- 1985 - Best Production Design
- 1985 - Haing S. Ngor (Most Promising Newcomer to Film)
- 1985 - Roland Joffé (Best Director)
- 1985 - Sam Waterston (Best Leading Actor)
- 1985 - Mike Oldfield (Best Music)
- 1985 - Best Make Up/Hair
- 1985 - Best Special Visual Effects
César Awards
- 1986 - Best Foreign Film
Amanda Awards
- 1985 - Roland Joffé (Best Foreign Feature Film Imported for Screening in Norwegian Cinemas)
Golden Globes
- 1985 - Haing S. Ngor (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)
- 1985 - Best Motion Picture – Drama
- 1985 - Roland Joffé (Best Director)
- 1985 - Bruce Robinson (Best Screenplay)
- 1985 - Sam Waterston (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama)
- 1985 - Mike Oldfield (Best Original Score)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
- 1984 - Chris Menges (Best Cinematography)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 1984 - Chris Menges (Best Cinematographer)
- 1984 - Best Film