The Quiet American: Movie Description

The Vietnam War in the 1950s: The Quiet American (2002)

A 1952 bombing in Saigon became the source of Graham Greene’s prophetic novel about the dangers of U.S. intervention in Vietnam, The Quiet American (1955). In 1958, Hollywood director Joseph Mankiewicz made the cautionary tale into a cold war movie that reversed Greene’s ideas about good and evil, blaming the bombing on Vietnamese communists and so justifying U.S. intervention in the Indochina war.

Half a century later, Australian director Phillip Noyce made a new version of The Quiet American, screening a preview on September 10, 2001, just one day before terrorists attacked New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Although made with the same title, the movie again reversed the roles, revealing how images of the Vietnam war and U.S. intervention overseas underwent dramatic changes during the late 20th century.

The newer movie opens in Saigon in 1952 with the voice over of Thomas Fowler (played by Michael Caine), a reporter for the London Times, describing the loveliness of Vietnam so “you could be forgiven for not knowing there’s a war.” But then, he adds, “something happens and nothing can ever be the same.”

A police investigator summons Fowler to discuss the murder of Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser)--the “quiet American”--who has been working for the American Aid Mission, ostensibly providing medical supplies for eye infections. His stabbed body has been found floating in the river. “These Americans are causing a lot of trouble for us,” remarks the local French inspector.

Fowler breaks the news to Pyle’s Vietnamese lover, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen), who was Fowler’s lover first.

He then flashes back to his first meeting with Pyle at the café of the Hotel Continental. The newly arrived Pyle, clutching a book titled The Dangers of Democracy, has a boyish eagerness to “save” Vietnam. “We’ve got to contain communism,” he says.

Fowler reminds Pyle that if the Vietnamese had democracy they would elect Ho Chi Minh (head of the Vietnamese communists). Just then a grenade explodes nearby, reminding them that civil war surrounds them.

Back at the news office, Fowler learns that he may be recalled to London, destroying the life he enjoys in Saigon with Phuong. He decides to revive his career by covering an impending battle in the north at Phat Diem. Meanwhile, he introduces Pyle to Phuong, and the American becomes instantly enraptured by her.

Fowler accompanies a French military patrol at Phat Diem and sees civilians dead in a field. To his surprise, Pyle also arrives. But whereas the bodies haunt Fowler, Pyle sees the tragedy in political terms. Denying an interest in U.S. colonialism (“We…want to help these people,” he insists), Pyle proposes the U.S. should support an independent “Third Force” government that is neither French nor communist. Fowler is amused by Pyle’s optimism. He is more shocked to learn that Pyle has come into the war zone only to tell Fowler of his love for Phuong.

Back in Saigon, Fowler sees a political parade led by General Thé (Quang Hai) who has formed a new army and party. Realizing that Thé represents the Third Force that Pyle has mentioned, Fowler travels to a remote area to interview the General. To his surprise, Pyle is there, claiming to be providing medical supplies.

Pyle arranges for the interview. Mr. Muoi (Ferdinand Hoang), a businessman, acts as the General’s interpreter. “It will take an independent Vietnamese leader to rule our country,” states the General. But when Fowler implies that Thé is responsible for the massacre of civilians at Phat Diem and asks him where he gets his military supplies, Thé angrily terminates the conversation.

Pyle accompanies Fowler on the trip back to Saigon. When their car runs out of fuel (Thé has arranged to siphon the gasoline), they take refuge in a watchtower that is soon attacked by unnamed guerrillas, presumed to be communists. Pyle saves Fowler’s life. But back in Saigon, the two men fall out over Phuong, who leaves Fowler for Pyle.

Fowler continues his investigation of General Thé, learning that his associate Mr. Muoi is importing secret shipments of “diolacton,” a plastic compound, from the United States. Pyle claims the material is used for making eyeglass frames.

As Fowler sits at an outdoor café one afternoon, however, a series of explosions rips through the street, strewing bodies. Pyle is there, apparently directing rescue efforts. At least 30 are dead. Fowler contemplates the carnage and realizes that Pyle was directing a photographer to document the atrocity and speaking Vietnamese fluently.

His curiosity aroused, Fowler learns that diolacton is an explosive and that the Americans are supplying General Thé with bomb material. Fowler also learns that Pyle works for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Disturbed by Pyle’s complicity, Fowler abandons his role as neutral reporter and agrees to “take sides.”

He makes an appointment with Pyle, still uncertain whether to set up the American for an assassination attempt. In their meeting, Pyle is unrepentant. Although he recognizes Thé’s weaknesses, he says, “In a war you use the tools you’ve got. And right now he’s the best we have.” Pyle acknowledges that the United States has given $210 million of military aid to support the French war in Indochina “to stop communism.” Pyle’s photographs of the bombing will persuade Congress to keep up the support.

Convinced that Pyle is the U.S. agent behind General Thé’s violence, Fowler allows the assassination plans to proceed. After Pyle is killed, Fowler persuades Phuong to come back to him.

The film concludes with a series of news headlines with bylines by Thomas Fowler, chronicling the deepening U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war. The last one, dated December 13, 1966 states, “495,000 U.S. Forces Now In Vietnam.”

Back to top   At the Movies   The Quiet American