This is one of the most harrowing films I have ever seen. I think director Roland Joffé handled the film deftly, not being too sentimental or too hard. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning three: Best Cinematography (won), Best Film Editing (won), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor Haing S. Ngor (won), Best Actor Sam Waterston, Best Director and Best Picture. The other films nominated for Best Picture that year were A Passage To India, Places In The Heart, A Soldier’s Story and winner Amadeus.

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