The Killing Fields (1985): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Killing Fields is a 1985 historical drama directed by Roland Joffé, starring Sam Waterston and Haing S. Ngor. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes and earned $34.7 million worldwide. It won 3 Oscars, including Actor in a Supporting Role and Cinematography, and 11 awards in all. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Stream it on Kanopy and Plex, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 21m (141 min)
- Director
- Roland Joffé
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Killing Fields About?
The premise of The Killing Fields without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During the Cambodian genocide, New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg and photographer Al Rockoff form a close bond with local interpreter Dith Pran. As the Khmer Rouge seize control and the American forces withdraw, the three men face a desperate struggle for survival. Schanberg is forced to make difficult choices, confronting the moral complexities of reporting from a country descending into chaos and the agonizing decision of whether to stay or abandon those left behind.
The Killing Fields Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- cambodia
- genocide
- khmer rouge
- brutality
- mass murder
- political repression
- reporter
- photographer
- prison camp
- search for a missing person
- reunion of friends
- journalist
+38 more Show fewer
- mass grave
- interracial friendship
- escape
- cambodian
- war correspondent
- guilt
- year 1973
- phnom penh cambodia
- voice over narration
- journey
- execution
- civil war
- directorial debut
- murder of a child
- vietnam war
- 1970s
- murder
- violence
- based on true story
- communism
- death of child
- fake passport
- translator
- french embassy
- gore
- hospital
- mass evacuation
- social commentary
- american journalist
- skeleton
- grief
- death of a boy
- shot to death
- airlift
- happiness
- attempted escape
- terrorist bombing
- voice over inner thoughts
Where to Watch The Killing Fields
Stream it on Kanopy and Plex, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Kanopy 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
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The Killing Fields Cast
Sam Waterston leads the cast, with Haing S. Ngor. Directed by Roland Joffé.
-
Director Roland Joffé
The Killing Fields Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Killing Fields 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
-
IMDb 7.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic
The Killing Fields Plot Summary
What happens in The Killing Fields from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film begins in May 1973 in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, where a fierce civil war rages between the Cambodian national army and the communist Khmer Rouge, sparked by the fallout from the Vietnam War. Here, Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor), a Cambodian journalist working as an interpreter for Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston), eagerly awaits Schanberg’s arrival at the Phnom Penh airport. However, due to unforeseen delays, Schanberg arrives three hours late and, frustrated by Pran’s absence, heads to his hotel via taxi. At the hotel, he meets photographer Al Rockoff (John Malkovich), who is clueless about Pran’s whereabouts. They decide to grab a bite at a nearby café when suddenly, an explosion erupts nearby.
Full summary
The whole story of The Killing Fields, scene by scene
The Killing Fields Box Office
The Killing Fields grossed $34.7 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$34.7M
- US & Canada
- $34.7M
The Killing Fields Awards & Nominations
The Killing Fields won 3 Oscars, including Actor in a Supporting Role and Cinematography, and 11 awards in all. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1985, with 8 wins from 13 nominations.
11 wins27 nominations4 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1985 8 wins · 13 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Haing S. Ngor
- Won Best Adapted Screenplay – Bruce Robinson
- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Editing
- Won Best Film
-
Oscars 1985 3 wins · 7 nominations- Won Actor in a Supporting Role – Haing S. Ngor
- Won Cinematography
- Won Film Editing
- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Sam Waterston
- Nominated Best Picture
-
Golden Globes 1985 6 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Roland Joffé
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Original Score
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Sam Waterston
- Nominated Best Screenplay – Bruce Robinson
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DGA Awards 1985 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Roland Joffé
The Killing Fields Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer The Killing Fields ≣ 1984 ≣ Trailer
How Well Do You Know The Killing Fields?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year does the movie 'The Killing Fields' begin?
Cars in The Killing Fields
28 cars on screen, including the 1966 Mercedes-Benz 200 W110 and the 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75.
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1966 Mercedes-Benz 200 W110 Important role -
1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role -
FMC M113 Minor role -
Harley-Davidson WL Minor role
The Killing Fields Also Known As
30 alternative titles, including “Los gritos del silencio” and “Поля смерти”.
- Also known as
-
- Los gritos del silencio
- Поля смерти
- キリング・フィールド
- Velden des Doods
- Dödens fält
- Urla del silenzio
- Dødsmarkene
- 战火屠城
- The Killing Fields – Schreiendes Land
- La Déchirure
- The Killing Fields - Schreiendes Land
- 杀戮战场
+18 more Show fewer
- Gyilkos mezők
- Κραυγές στη Σιωπή
- Pola śmierci
- דמעות של שתיקה
- Terra Sangrenta
- 킬링 필드
- Поля смерті
- Ölüm Tarlaları
- Os Gritos do Silêncio
- Vražedná pole
- Kuoleman kentät
- 殺戮戰場
- Mirties laukai
- Полетата на смъртта
- Polja smrti
- Cánh Đồng Chết, სიკვდილის მინდვრები
- Els crits del silenci
- ทุ่งสังหาร
Seen The Killing Fields?
Movies Like The Killing Fields
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Swimming to Cambodia, First They Killed My Father and Year Zero: The Silent Death of Cambodia.
The Killing Fields FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of The Killing Fields, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Killing Fields?
The Killing Fields runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).
When was The Killing Fields released?
The Killing Fields was released on February 1, 1985.
Who directed The Killing Fields?
The Killing Fields was directed by Roland Joffé.
More films by Roland Joffé Who is in the cast of The Killing Fields?
The Killing Fields stars Sam Waterston and Haing S. Ngor.
Where can I watch The Killing Fields?
In the US, The Killing Fields is streaming on Kanopy, Plex and The Roku Channel and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Killing Fields make at the box office?
The Killing Fields grossed $34.7 million worldwide.
How is The Killing Fields rated?
The Killing Fields has 7.8/10 on IMDb and 76 on Metacritic.
What awards did The Killing Fields win?
The Killing Fields won 11 awards from 27 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1985.
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