King Rat

King Rat, takes its characters as seriously as it takes its plot. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 81 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. George Segal anchors it with a performance that rewards close attention. Start it whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

King Rat arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. King Rat takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. When Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, the Allied POWs, mostly British but including a few Americans, were incarcerated in Changi prison. Among the American prisoners is Cpl. King, a wheeler-dealer who has managed to establish a pretty good life for himself in the camp. The performances from George Segal and James Fox give it more weight than the premise alone would suggest. King Rat came out in 1965. What elevates King Rat is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For anyone looking for storytelling that takes its characters seriously, King Rat delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. George Segal anchors a cast that never overplays its hand. The kind of drama that stays with you well after the finale.

King Rat was released in 1965, directed by Bryan Forbes. The full 134-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.