Customer Reviews

The Ugly American [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fine movie starring Marlon Brando and an excellent supporting cast. Marlon Brando stars as Ambassador McWhite to the fictional Southeast Asian nation of Sarkhan. Eiji Okada turns in a bravo performance as Cheyoung, a wartime comrade of McWhite's who is now a Sarkhanese national hero and who is opposed to American involvement with and presence in Sarkhan. The two men have good chemistry even as their goals are conflicted. Despite once being the closest of wartime friends, McWhite and Cheyoung now find themselves to be enemies.

This is obviously at least in part an allegory of American involvement in Vietnam and other Asian countries, a topic that was at the forefront of American politics when this movie was made. Nonetheless, after watching the film recently after not seeing it for about 25 years, I found that it had lost none of its impact or relevance. This is a very good film with a solid storyline, a relevant political message, and good acting. These all combine to make this film a fine and rewarding viewing experience.

Fascinating drama about Communist insurgency in early-60s Southeast Asia. Takes place in a fictional country named "Sarkhan," which was based at the time on the situations in Laos and Vietnam. Brando is great as the U.S. Ambassador to volatile Sarkhan, trying to balance American political objectives with the nationalist sentiments of the "Sarkhanese" people. Perhaps one of the most intelligent political films of the 1960s. Also includes the Asian perspective and real Asian settings, a rare achievement for a Hollywood film of that era. It was beautifully filmed in Thailand, and the VHS looks great. The story lacks clarity and pace at a few points, keeping the film from being five-star. But it succeeds as a rich character drama in an exotic setting, and an powerful historical statement...a much more intelligent look at the politics of the 1960s in Asia than more famous films like "The Green Berets." Highly recommended for viewers interested in Asia, the Vietnam War era, and Brando fans.

This is probably one of Brandos best films. Considering the time frame when this was first released its amazing to see how on the mark it was for the early 1960s. The comparisons with Vietnam for the time are obvious. The film also provides a study in classic US foriegn relations to 3rd World countries during the Cold War period. US policy can be seen to be well meaning, but often mis-placed and heavy-handed. The lessons to learn here are valuable, and all the more so today. I consider this film a classic because not many pictures like this have ever been made. If one considers how recent the whole Cold War McCarthy syndrome was as well its all the more remarkable. Sure it has all the cliche touches of Hollywood films for that time, but there is still educational value for today from watching it. History teachers should consider showing it to their students. Good to see on DVD with a nice picture quality.
Recommended.

The Ugly American was an interesting film when it first came out in 1963 but it seems even more fascinating now when viewed with the benefit of historical hindsight. A political drama with slight thriller overtones that tells the story of an over-confident and somewhat reckless American ambassador appointed to a volatile Southeast Asian country, circa 1960. The ambassador was appointed on the strength of his friendship with a local opposition leader - a man of the people. But things have changed since they last met. Good intentions, political posturing, and a dash of naive stupidity combine to plunge the country into revolution - and open the door to the communists. Of course, the US must send in troops...

The Vietnam allegory is obvious and somewhat enlightening, and the film remains remarkably pertinent today. It tries to step back to be objective, but doesn't always succeed - which is a kind of blessing. The film's final scene illustrates the danger of public apathy.

As the ambassador, Marlon Brando has seldom been better. The rest of the cast is solid and all the more believable for being largely unknown. The script is taut and incisive, the direction straightforward and unobtrusive. I just saw this film again for the first time in many years and was surprised by how good it still is - the sort of film that engages the mind as well as the emotions.

It's been a long time since I've seen the Ugly American. I would have watched it more, it's just that it's so difficult to find... anywhere. Many people consider it a political drama. I would have to disagree. To me, it's more of a social commentary, not only on the entire situation in Vietnam, but also as relates to US foreign policy in general.
It never pretends to have any of the intricacy of "The Insider," or the insight of "JFK." It is, none the less, one of the better fils I have seen to date. Marlon Brando's performance is admirable, and the mood almost reminds me of an Akira Kurosawa movie.
In my opinion, this movie has been overshadowed because people did not like the message it sent, nor did they like the often thinly veiled criticism of US foreign policy during the 60's.

Overall, I would say it was an excellent movie, turning me from an apathetic movie watcher to a marlon brando fan.

Universal Pictures presents "THE UGLY AMERICAN" (2 April 1963) (122 mins/Color) (Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- Marlon Brando (Harrison MacWhite) gives one of the best and outstanding performances of his career --- But his Asian co-star Eiji Okada (Deong) just about steals the film --- You feel the passion and struggles of each character within this tightly written screenplay by Stewart Stern --- Pat Hingle plays the construction boss who gives Brando some good advice of slowing down the paving of the Freedom Road --- Take note that Brando's sister Jocelyn Brando appears as Pat Hingle's wife who runs the local hospital --- Very thought provoking film that never gives an inch during these turbulant times, good drama.

Under the production staff of:
George Englund - Director
William J. Lederer (novel)
Eugene Burdick (novel)
Stewart Stern - Screenwriter
George Englund - Producer
Frank Skinner - Original Music
Clifford Stine - Cinematographer
Ted J. Kent - Film Editor

BIOS:
1. Marlon Brando
Date of Birth: 3 April 1924 - Omaha, Nebraska
Date of Death: 1 July 2004 - Los Angeles, California

2. Eiji Okada
Date of Birth: 13 June 1920- Chiba, Japan
Date of Death: 14 September 1995 - Japan

3. Pat Hingle
Date of Birth: 19 July 1924 - Miami, Florida
Date of Death: 3 January 2009 - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

4. George Englund (Director)
Date of Birth
22 June 1926, Washington, District of Columbia
Date of Death: Still Living

the cast includes
Marlon Brando ... Ambassador Harrison Carter MacWhite
Eiji Okada ... Deong
Sandra Church ... Marion MacWhite
Pat Hingle ... Homer Atkins
Arthur Hill ... Grainger
Jocelyn Brando ... Emma Atkins
Kukrit Pramoj ... Prime Minister Kwen Sai
Judson Pratt ... Joe Bing
Reiko Sato ... Rachani, Deong's Wife
George Shibata ... Munsang
Judson Laire ... Senator Brenner
Philip Ober ... Ambassador Sears
Yee Tak Yip ... Sawad, Deong's Assistant
Carl Benton Reid ... Senator at Confirmation Hearing

Check out the Marlon Brando 4-Movie Collection (The Ugly American / The Appaloosa / A Countess from Hong Kong / The Night of the Following Day)
also available on this Amazon site:
http://www.amazon.com/Collection-American-Appaloosa-Countess-Following/dp/B0007RTBA6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1248618787&sr=1-2

Just picked up this title --- Totally recommend this flick to all Brando fans --- The Ugly American is an eye opener during these days with all the political unrest around the world --- Hopefully we've learned something that will show us the ways to peace for all free men.

Total Time: 122 min on DVD ~ Universal Pictures ~ (08/12/2003)

Marlon Brando starred in "The Ugly American", which despite its title was not liberal, but proved to be prescient. It was loosely based on the friendship developed between an American fighter pilot, shot down and fighting with guerillas, and Ho Chi Minh, who was fighting the Japanese during World War II. Marlon, the former pilot-turned-PR-executive, is named ambassador to a small Southeast Asian nation modeled on Indochina. The reason he is appointed is because of his friendship with a populist leader there who the U.S. fears may be a Communist. Brando assures them the man is not one, but when he gets there he discovers the man is. Their friendship turns into mortal enmity, and America's largesse, goodwill and social conscience are thrown back at us by savage mobs roiled by Marxist ideology. The final scene shows a press conference detailing the crisis, with a businessman changing the channel on his TV to show American indifference to the world's crises. Considering what happened in Vietnam over the next years, it proved to be a real cautionary tale.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM

Delivers an amazingly balanced perspective on Southeast Asian politics as it pertains to Communist/American involvement of that era. I was really surprised, it's so balanced and insightful that virtually anyone with firm political views and positionalities will be annoyed at times watching this film. The way it captures the danger of ego combined with a limited understanding is impressively displayed for us. Oh, and by the way, this is an unusual role for Brando and he's terrific. A sensitive and intelligent film way ahead of it's time, highly recommended.

I have seen many films with Marlon Brando before, but never the "Ugly American". I was thrilled to check it out from my local library. Although this film was made many decades ago, it still rings true to the ways american foreign politics works today. Set in Southeast Asia it is a film about ordinary people's fight for decent life and local government desire for controlled roll out of the democracy. Brando plays a journalist who reported on foreign affairs interested in pursuing diplomatic career in a country where he spent his youth. 15 years have passed and many things have changed in the country he once lived in. His personal friendship with a local influential leader, fighter for democracy is still strong. new ambassador hopes that their strong persoanl relationship will lead to resolving some of the political differneces they have for everyone's good.

It is amazing to see how their personal relationship influences the way they negotiate national intersts. But can strong personal relationships improve the state of the nation? Can they continue on on where they left off 15 years ago? What can a young ambassador learn from this experience and is it possible that his experiences as a diplomat will change the vision american people have on foreign politics?

I loved Brando in this role. The costumes and glamor of long ago ambassadorship is a true gem of this film. I also loved the wisdom and grace of the royals of the small country who in their own way love and cherish their nation and lead according to the customs so unique to their own culture. This film is relevant to the events of today and I wish more people will see it.

In 'The Ugly American' we find Marlon Brando playing Harrison Mac White, the American ambassador to the ficticious Asian country of Sarkan. What we are presented with is a decent political plot, but one with significant flaws.

Brando stars opposite Eiji Okada who plays his old Sarkanese friend Deong, and herein lies one of the film's major problems. Okada's performance is limited. He does not appear convincing as the leader of his people, his fiendship with Brando appears lukewarm at best and he regularly stumbles over his lines. Brando puts in a quality performance, but this is not enough to stop the relationships between the characters from appearing somewhat forced.

The story itself is an interesting look at American foreign policy during the cold war, the ambiguous reasoning behind it and the reactions of those in the nations whom it effected.

Overall 'The Ugly American' is worth a watch, but those expecting a top notch, taught political thriller will be left disappointed.