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The Ugly American

  • 19631963
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
Trailer for this action film starring Marlon Brando
Play trailer3:01
1 Video
58 Photos
AdventureDramaThriller
An ambitious scholar becomes the ambassador of Sarkan, a southeast Asian country where civil war is brewing.An ambitious scholar becomes the ambassador of Sarkan, a southeast Asian country where civil war is brewing.An ambitious scholar becomes the ambassador of Sarkan, a southeast Asian country where civil war is brewing.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
    • George Englund
    • William J. Lederer(novel)
    • Eugene Burdick(novel)
    • Stewart Stern(screen story)
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Eiji Okada
    • Sandra Church
    • George Englund
    • William J. Lederer(novel)
    • Eugene Burdick(novel)
    • Stewart Stern(screen story)
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Eiji Okada
    • Sandra Church
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    The Ugly American
    Trailer 3:01
    Watch The Ugly American

    Photos58

    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    "The Ugly American" Marlon Brando 1963 Universal Pictures
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    "The Ugly American" Marlon Brando 1963 Universal Pictures
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    Marlon Brando in The Ugly American (1963)
    "The Ugly American" Marlon Brando 1963 Universal Pictures
    Marlon Brando at the "Ugly American" premiere

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Ambassador Harrison Carter MacWhite
    Eiji Okada
    Eiji Okada
    • Deong
    Sandra Church
    Sandra Church
    • Marion MacWhite
    Pat Hingle
    Pat Hingle
    • Homer Atkins
    Arthur Hill
    Arthur Hill
    • Grainger
    Jocelyn Brando
    Jocelyn Brando
    • Emma Atkins
    Kukrit Pramoj
    • Prime Minister Kwen Sai
    Judson Pratt
    Judson Pratt
    • Joe Bing
    Reiko Sato
    Reiko Sato
    • Rachani, Deong's Wife
    George Shibata
    • Munsang
    Judson Laire
    Judson Laire
    • Senator Brenner
    Philip Ober
    Philip Ober
    • Ambassador Sears
    Yee Tak Yip
    • Sawad, Deong's Assistant
    Carl Benton Reid
    Carl Benton Reid
    • Senator at Confirmation Hearing
    Simon Scott
    Simon Scott
    • Johnson
    Frances Helm
    James Yagi
    James Yagi
    John Daheim
    John Daheim
        • George Englund
        • William J. Lederer(novel)
        • Eugene Burdick(novel)
        • Stewart Stern(screen story)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        One key role, that of the Sarkhanese Prime Minister, was filled quite capably by a non-professional, Kukrit Pramoj, a prominent Thai newspaper publisher, former Thai Finance Minister, and, as fate would have it, future Prime Minister (1975-76). Speaking in Bangkok the day after its world premiere, the film's star, Marlon Brando, brought forth gasps by labeling his precocious co-star a "dissembler, liar and thief." Before shock could turn to indignation, Brando, straight face intact, quickly broke the stunned silence. "Mr. Kukrit told me he couldn't act, and then proceeded to prove he could act and, in fact, acted me off the screen. He stole the whole show."
      • Goofs
        As it is landing, the TWA plane is a Convair 880. When it arrives at the gate for deplaning, it has turned into a Boeing 707.
      • Quotes

        Ambassador Harrison Carter MacWhite: I'd like to interrupt, eh, gentlemen, to point out that the only thing that is clear so far is that there's no clarity at all. So if you don't mind, we'll stop this squabbling and I'll present you with some facts. About three hours ago, there were several people trampled to death, a policeman was pistol-whipped until his face looked like raspberry jam, and the man who represents the person of the president of United States was almost killed, along with his wife, and other members of his party. Now I- I don't mind telling you that I was afraid out there this afternoon, but I didn't know what fear was until this meeting got started. You gentlemen have given me something to think about. Now, here's something for you. Confusion, ignorance, and indifference will cease as of this moment. Information about everything that happens in Sarkhan will kept up to date and that's seven days a week. That's seven days a week gentleman! And Sundays included, and I don't give a damn where you live! And the next time that there are six thousand people that begin a riot, or six people, without this embassy being aware of it, those responsible will be on the first plane out of here with my personal recommendation that they be dropped from the foreign service!

      • Connections
        Featured in Brando (2007)
      • Soundtracks
        America the Beautiful
        (uncredited)

        Music by Samuel A. Ward and lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates

        Heard when the Ambassador arrives and over the closing credits

      User reviews28

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      5/10
      An intelligently crafted and written movie...but not too exciting on a cinematic level
      Marlon Brando gives a fair performance as the new American Ambassador elected to Sarkhan in Southeast Asia, which had been a peaceful, friendly nation fifteen years prior but is now being taken over by radical Communists distrustful of outside development. Adapted from the novel by William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick, the dramatic, talkative picture (filmed mostly in Thailand) is a thoughtful rabble-rouser about conflicting political views. Brando's one native confidante in Sarkhan (wonderfully portrayed by Eiji Okada) admits to working both sides of the proverbial fence, which allows for a stimulating discussion of personal values in which common sense no longer comes into play. Although beautifully photographed by Clifford Stine, the results are literate and intriguing without being intrinsically exciting (at its core, the nature of the film is a tug-of-war, with the participants often engaged in a shouting match). Moving in fits and starts, one must sit through a great deal of pontificating before arriving at the conclusion, however the film's strongest scenes remain forceful and memorable. ** from ****
      helpful•12
      3
      • moonspinner55
      • Mar 31, 2010

      FAQ1

      • Marlon Brando---Did He Have a Female Stand-in?

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • August 1, 1963 (Mexico)
        • United States
        • English
      • Also known as
      • Filming locations
        • Bangkok, Thailand
      • Production company
        • Universal International Pictures (UI)
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

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      • 2 hours
        • Color

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