At the end of World War II, the United States dominated the world militarily, economically, and in moral standing - seen as the victor over tyranny and a champion of freedom. But it was clear - to some - that the Soviet Union was already executing a plan to expand and foment revolution around the world. The American government's strategy in response relied on the secret efforts of a newly-formed CIA. The book uses Greene's experiences as a war correspondent for The Times and Le Figaro in French Indochina 1951–1954. Greene was always so perplexed by the bizarre and continually morphing forms of violent behaviour in the world - and stymied by the fact that so many of the cleared paths open to it are paved by bystanders’ like Pyle’s innocent good intentions - that he became more and more obsessively predisposed to a sort of truculent silence, a retreat into his own less than virtuous anodynes.

In this section, we dive into Graham Greene’s extensive repertoire and highlight five of his best works. From the suspenseful “The Third Man” to the morally complex “The Power and the Glory,” we provide a glimpse into the diverse range of themes and genres that Greene masterfully explores throughout his career. Whether you’re a fan of “The Quiet American” or new to Greene’s work, this section serves as a guide to discovering the brilliance of this iconic author. Other Media by Phillip Noyce: Beyond “The Quiet American” What about the blood group?" I said. "And a health certificate. You'll need hers, surely? Maybe you ought to have mine too. And her horoscope - no, that is an Indian custom." Thus, when Pyke saves his life, Fowler was far from thankful, for he had been looking for exactly that escape when he came to Saigon: This is a book that would reward a reread, I think. It's so dense with names, dates, references, that it can be hard to follow, at times, at least for someone like me who went into it with a pretty superficial understanding of the Cold War. Even so, I learned a lot this first time around -- both about the (oft misguided) larger political forces of the time and a ton of delightful (but also disturbing) details, like the involvement of the CIA's covert operations branch, the OPC, in the founding of the Paris Review.The Quiet American, the Ugly American' Fontenot, Gregory". Military Review. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019 . Retrieved 29 July 2019. Returning to Saigon from another field assignment, Fowler finds Pyle waiting at his apartment, and the two men talk about Phuong. Fowler implies that he knows about Pyle’s covert operations, but Pyle plays dumb. At this time, Fowler also receives another letter from his editor, informing him that his news agency has agreed to let him stay in Vietnam for at least another year.

Pomonti, Jean-Claude (2006). Un Vietnamien bien tranquille: L'extraordinaire histoire de l'espion qui défia l'Amérique[ The Quiet Vietnamese: The extraordinary story of the spy who defied America] (in French). Paris: Équateurs. ISBN 2849900346. . The title of Greene's book was translated in French as Un Américain bien tranquille, literally A Very Quiet American. How Edward Lansdale pioneered America’s counterinsurgency strategy, first in leading the fight with Congressman and later President Ramon Magsaysay in the Philippines against the Huk guerrillas, and then (against his wishes) in guiding Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem in his resistance to the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. Climax When Fowler stands at his window and gives the signal that sets the plan to kill Pyle in motion, he can no longer pretend to be a disengaged or neutral observer e has made a direct intervention in the political landscape. After WWII, the USSR was busy around the world working to expand their influence, and the US response was run by the new CIA office. There were four men whose spy efforts were part of this activity around the world. Frank Wisner was from a wealthy Southern family, Peter Sichel was a German Jew who had escaped the Nazis, Michael Burke was a former football star, and Ed Lansdale was an ad executive (think “Mad Men”) before he became a spy. Together, these four were in charge of operations such as directing wars against “Communist insurgents” in Southeast Asia, plotting various coups, and planning ways to outwit the KGB in Berlin. Similarly, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was such a hawk that the U.S. ignored its own spies and failed to seize several opportunities to have a better relationship with the Soviets, and particularly Kruschkev. On the many occasions when Krushkev liberalized his policies and attempted to reach some sort of understanding with the U.S., the U.S. brushed him off, reasoning that this was just a wolf-in-sheep's-clothing attempt to obscure their true world-domination nature. Such an attitude admits no solution.In addition to the political context in which The Quiet American takes place, it is important to note Greene’s complex relationship to religion. In 1926, Greene met and fell in love with Vivien Dayrell-Browning, who had recently converted to Catholicism. Dayrell-Browning introduced Greene to the , and he joined the Church later that same year. Greene remained a Catholic for the rest of his life. However, as his biographers have pointed out, Greene himself was constantly at odds with his adopted beliefs. Moral failure and the challenge of living in accordance with Catholic doctrine therefore became major themes in some of Greene’s greatest novels, including The Power and the Glory (1940), The Heart of the Matter (1948), and The End of the Affair (1951). Although The Quiet American does not foreground the specific problem of Catholicism, questions about religion and faith are woven throughout the novel. Nearly every character has a different perspective on religion, and the tensions that arise illuminate the challenge of living morally in a world in conflict. What may be the most consequential of the insights Anderson offers in this book regards the Eisenhower Administration’s dismissive response to overtures for peace almost immediately after the death of Stalin. “[B]y deriding the concept of ‘peaceful coexistence’ in favor of a continued policy of confrontation, they undercut the moderate faction within the Kremlin and bolstered the militants. In the estimation of President Eisenhower’s ambassador to the Soviet Union at the time, Charles Bohlen, by misplaying the aftermath of Stalin’s death in 1953, the United States may have missed a golden opportunity to dramatically alter the course of the Cold War.” And we paid for that miscalculation with the more than three decades of costly belligerence that followed. The Quiet American’s reputation has only grown with time. As the United States waded ever deeper into an unpopular and devastating war, Greene’s book came to be seen as a masterpiece of anti-imperialism. Indeed, the very title has become a shorthand for a certain brand of American who is arrogantly unable to foresee the unintended consequences of his purportedly-good intentions. Phillip Noyce, the director of “The Quiet American,” has an impressive body of work beyond this renowned film. In this section, we explore Noyce’s other notable projects, including his collaborations with talented actors and his exploration of diverse themes and genres. From the political thriller “Patriot Games” to the emotionally charged “Rabbit-Proof Fence,” Noyce’s filmography showcases his versatility and artistry. Join us as we explore the cinematic world beyond “The Quiet American.” Similar Movies: Ten Films that Capture the Essence of “The Quiet American” Thomas Fowler is a British journalist in his fifties who has covered the French war in Vietnam for more than two years. He meets a young American idealist named Alden Pyle, a CIA agent working undercover. Pyle lives his life and forms his opinions based on foreign policy books written by York Harding with no real experience in Southeast Asia matters. Harding's theory is that neither communism nor colonialism are proper in foreign lands like Vietnam, but rather a "Third Force"—usually a combination of traditions—works best. When they first meet, the earnest Pyle asks Fowler to help him understand more about the country, but the older man's cynical realism does not sink in. Pyle is certain that American power can put the Third Force in charge, but he knows little about Indochina and recasts it into theoretical categories.

Not only had the US held out false hope to those who were willing to risk their lives in a desperate crusade, but its policies had subverted the possibility of an early detente with the Soviet Union....by abandoning those who had placed their faith in its promises, the United States betrayed the hollowness of its pretense as the champion of liberty and exposed its willingness to exploit the desperate hopes of its clients." Excellent book about the first decade or so of the CIA, with enough of an overview of its OSS ancestor to set the table. If you were captivated by the themes and atmosphere of “The Quiet American,” this section offers a curated list of ten similar movies that explore similar ideas and settings. From other war dramas set in Southeast Asia to thought-provoking tales of love and political intrigue, these films will satisfy your craving for more stories that delve into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of our actions. Book Club Questions: Sparking Discussions and Debates The two main characters are symbols of the American and British participation in Vietnam. The British does not want to get involved in the war, and he is deluding himself that he is only an indifferent spectator. The story is set in 1952 in Saigon, Vietnam ( French Indochina at that time), toward the end of the First Indochina War (1946–1954) in which French forces fought the Communist-led Viet Minh rebels. On one level, The Quiet American is a love story about the triangle that develops between Thomas Fowler, a British journalist in his fifties; Alden Pyle, a young American idealist, supposedly an aid worker; and Phuong, a young Vietnamese woman. On another level it is also about the growing American involvement that led to the full-scale American war in Vietnam.Ebert, Roger. "The Quiet American Movie Review (2003)". The novel inspired a 1958 Hollywood version in which the director Joseph Mankiewicz turned the story on its head, making Fowler the bad guy and Pyle the hero. Did the CIA have a hand in funding that film? Anderson later notes Wisner's despair over Washington doing nothing over the Hungarian uprising and Cabot Lodge deliberately sandbagging the UN looking at it. Out in the field at the time, he was unable to add his voice in Washington, although it probably wouldn't have helped change things anyway. Six themes dominate Anderson’s account in this eye-opening book. The CIA was deeply involved in all six: Hi there! I'm Jane Thomper, and I'm thrilled to be your go-to movie expert. With a genuine passion for all things film-related, I've dedicated my life to exploring the captivating world of cinema.