The Ugly American (1963)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(2,074 ratings)

Taken from a best-selling book, this is an uneven, politically tinged drama by George Englund that does not really follow the book that closely. Marlon Brando is Harrison Carter MacWhite, an ambassador to a Southeast Asian country that goes unnamed but stands in well for Vietnam. There is a growing… More Taken from a best-selling book, this is an uneven, politically tinged drama by George Englund that does not really follow the book that closely. Marlon Brando is Harrison Carter MacWhite, an ambassador to a Southeast Asian country that goes unnamed but stands in well for Vietnam. There is a growing movement against Yankee imperialism and the current government, increasing unrest, and other signs of a complex situation getting worse. At first the ambassador relies on past training and has his own facile explanations for the unfolding events. But as time goes by, he comes to learn that a revolutionary movement is not one-dimensional. Unfortunately, the film itself never adequately clarifies the events it depicts. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: George Englund
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Apr 2, 1963 Wide
On DVD: Aug 12, 2003
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
Brando is excellent, as is Okada (notwithstanding his Japanese ethnicity) as the two old friends find themselves on opposing political sides - both right, both wrong
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Too talky, conventional, vague and ponderous.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Burger S

If only President Johnson had watched and understood this film.
Mike T

Englund's direction fails to spark any excitement in the audience, but Brando's volatile and passionately emotional performance keeps the film afloat. An interesting enough story and impressive enough acting that I would say this is a must-see for any Brando fan.