Ankertill Brewer

Rating: 7/10 (25 April 2003)

*may contain spoilers* This movie was quite shocking. I knew nothing of Cambodia and the horrors the country faced after the Vietnam war. I went in cold to this movie, and was astounded by the images, especially the second half of the film.
The actor who played Dith Pran was brilliant. The scene at the French embassy after the failed attempt to forge a passport for Pran, was heart wrenching. Seeing Pran depart into the rain soaked streets of the Cambodian capital, brought tears to my eyes. Hard to believe that he had no formal training as an actor. Eassentially, he was re-living the part, as Ngor was a slave in one of the Khmer rouge death camps.
Sam waterston, was passable as the US journalist. Not really worthy of an academy award nomination. But I did like john Malkovich's performance as a cynical photographer.
This is certainly a movie which has not been seen by many people, although it definitley warrants a viewing if you are a war buff or want to examine a period of histroy forgotten by many parts of the world.
The scene with Pran in the ditch with hundreds of dead bodies will leave you sleeples for many nights.