The Ugly American (1963)

Synopsis (*spoilers*): In an asiatic country called Sarkhan, the Americans are building a highway that allegedly will foster that country's economy. The communists provoke an accident that causes several deaths and make it look like it was due to the drunkenness of the American engineer. This leads to a massive opposition to the presence of the Americans, and specifically to the building of the highway. Meanwhile, the U.S. nominate MacWhite as the new ambassador; he is a longtime friend of Deong, the most popular figure in Sarkhan. Deong opposes to the highway but is not thought to be a communist. Deong instructs his followers to go to the airport and make a peaceful protest during the arrival of MacWhite, but the communists incite the mob to a riot that almost gets MacWhite and his wife killed. Later on, a conversation between Deong and MacWhite convinces the latter that Deong is really a communist. He makes a pact with Kwen Sai, the prime-minister of Sarkhan, by which the U.S. would provide military support to the government; in exchange Kwen Sai would agree to a change in the route of the highway, which would head to North Sarkhan, which is ruled by the communists. The man in charge of the construction of the highway tries to talk MacWhite out of this decision but to no avail. Munsang, the communist party's leader, uses the ceremony of the dedicatory of the highway as a pretext for initiating the revolution; he co-opts Deong to lead the masses. MacWhite is warned by Kwen Sai that Deong is just being used and is not really a communist, and that the communists will probably kill him after they take over the country; he also informs that Russian and Chinese soldiers have already invaded the country and that the Chinese commander is his prisoner. MacWhite rushes to warn Deong, urging him to call the government palace and verify for himself that the Chinese colonel is a prisoner. When Deong realizes he has been duped by the communists, he orders his longtime assistant to revert the process, but is immediately killed by said assistant. What happens then is not shown; MacWhite is being interviewed by the press, and later goes on TV with a statement that the U.S. will continue to support underdeveloped countries, without a political agenda.
Appraisal: Although politically naive and with a clear pro-American slant, this film still has much insight to some of the problems faced by U.S. foreign policy; these problems have not changed much since the time this film was made, although of course the demise of the U.S.S.R. is a significant change. I liked the fact that the main character is not shown as flawless; he is often arrogant, and must face the consequences of his errors. I also liked the lead performance; it was at once energetic and nuanced. The narrative is well paced and never dull. It is said that the novel is much superior to the film though.
Rating: 60