The Killing Fields

The Killing Fields
Directed by Roland Joffé
Starring Sam Waterston, John Malkovich, Haing S. Ngor

Academy Award winning director Francis Ford Coppola said in 1979 that “quality and integrity” are the two things that make a great movie. Five years later, Roland Joffé’s directorial debut, The Killing Fields, epitomised those two characteristics with 141 minutes of emotional, powerful and awe-inspiring film.

The story of Sidney Schanberg and Dith Pran is one of friendship amidst the harsh and terrifying realities of the war in Cambodia during the 1970s. Through the uncensored images of dead bodies and executions the audience is delivered a realistic view of life for, not just a journalist, but also a native in Cambodia at the time of the Vietnam War.

Pat Golden’s casting of Haing S. Ngor, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge and its labour camps, as Pran was a great success, allowing the debut actor to pick up the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor – the first male Asian actor to do so.

The Killing Fields gives an insight into the risk taken by war reporters every day, bringing to life the efforts of many journalists who have risked their lives in order to bring people the news from across the world. But the overriding theme is one of friendship between two men who would stand by each other even in the face of death.

Critically acclaimed, the film won three Oscars, with a further four nominations and 26 other awards from several institutions.

Watching this film, it is unsurprising to see why it has been rated as one of the 'greatest tearjerkers' of all time, grasping a sense of happiness, relief and raw emotion through the reuniting of Sidney and Pran in the final scene, as John Lennon's 'Imagine' plays over the top. A sensational film that provides everything an audience wants. A true masterpiece.

Good Night, and Good Luck

Good Night, and Good Luck
Directed by George Clooney
Starring George Clooney, David Strathairn, Robert Downey Jr.

“We will not walk in fear, one of another” – the hard-hitting words of Edward R. Murrow who used television to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950’s. Good Night, and Good Luck accurately captures Murrow’s attempts to stop McCarthy, integrating historical footage of McCarthy and the trial of Annie Lee Moss which adds to the realism.

The film, released in 2005, was George Clooney’s second feature film as director. Clooney’s views on Darfur made the headlines a year after the film was released and he has backed Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, indicating his strong political opinions and possible motive for wanting to re-tell the story of Murrow. The film was nominated for six Oscars and ranked 89^th on the list of highest grossing films of 2005.

Although the film covers the story of Murrow in immense detail, it is slow paced and at times appears static. The story is interesting and one worth telling, bringing to attention the issues of the 1950’s and the worry over Communism within the American government at the time, as well as the way Murrow invented television as a powerful medium. But in making sure the film is accurate it loses its appeal to a wider audience and serves only as a cinematic account of this monumental era in recent American history.

There is no doubting the quality of stylistic features used in Good Night, and Good Luck. Its use of close-ups and shadowed lighting capture the controversial nature and pressure Murrow and the men behind See it Now were under. Fifty years on from See it Now, the film acts as an interesting insight into the actions of one television journalist who affected the lives of many Americans for the better.

All the President's Men

All the President’s Men
Directed by Alan J. Pakula
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford

On the face of it, a story about two journalists working for the Washington Post may seem somewhat dull. However, a story about the discovery of one of America’s biggest political scandals makes for a thrilling and insightful look into the workings of the journalists who uncovered the truth.

The story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein is told to perfection by All the President’s Men and displays the cover up of President Nixon to its full extent. Although the film is centred around the Watergate scandal, it also shows the inner workings of American newspapers in the 1970’s. Cramped office floors, heavily debated editorial meetings and the intense pursuit of leads all allow the story to come to life.

Throughout, the theme of government cover up is apparent, matched by the lack of belief in the story’s credibility by the Washington Post editors. The appearance of Deep Throat, an unnamed source at the time, later revealed to be FBI Associate Director Mark Felt, marked speculation over his identity for decades to come and gave life to one of the most famous anonymous sources in American history.

The film was a success in 1976, landing fourth spot on the highest grossing films of that year behind Rocky, To Fly! and A Star is Born. It also won four Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor, and was nominated for a further four awards.

Take away the factual element of the story and you have a stand-alone detective film that leaves the audience attempting to uncover the truth as they watch. Although classed as a political thriller, it makes a case for a whole new genre based on the workings of a journalist. Whether you know the story of Watergate or not, it’s a must watch.