King Rat

Inside the notoriously overcrowded Changi POW camp in Singapore, an enterprising American corporal thrives through black-market trading while fellow prisoners struggle to survive. His schemes bring him wealth and enemies among both prisoners and guards. The film explores morality and survival instinct under captivity.

Changi Prison in Singapore held tens of thousands of Allied POWs and civilians after the British surrender in February 1942, with severe overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease. Black-market trading and improvised economies were a documented feature of prisoner life there.

Based on James Clavell's semi-autobiographical novel; the protagonist is fictional though camp conditions reflect real accounts.

Directed by Bryan Forbes

Cast: George Segal, Tom Courtenay, James Fox, Denholm Elliott

Positioned at 1944–1945 within the World War II phase of the war, as part of the Changi POW camp, Singapore. This is entry 108 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Changi
• Singapore
• POW camp
• black market
• Clavell novel

• 

  Paradise Road

  1942–1945

• 

  Hart's War

  Winter 1944-1945

• 

  Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

  1942–1944

• 

  The Bridge on the River Kwai

  1942–1943

• 

  Stalag 17

  Winter 1943–44

• 

  Ike: Countdown to D-Day

  February–June 1944