The Ugly American
1963 · 115 MIN · IMDB 6.6 · 2,614 VOTES · DIR. George Englund
Overview
An intelligent, articulate scholar, Harrison MacWhite, survives a hostile Senate confirmation hearing at the hands of conservatives to become ambassador to Sarkan, a southeast Asian country where civil war threatens a tense peace. Despite his knowledge, once he's there, MacWhite sees only a dichotomy between the U.S. and Communism. He can't accept that anti-American sentiment might be a longing for self-determination and nationalism. So, he breaks from his friend Deong, a local opposition leader, ignores a foreman's advice about slowing the building of a road, and tries to muscle ahead. What price must the country and his friends pay for him to get some sense?
Dialogue Timeline — 1,313 lines
A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE
00:03:04 Come on. Yeah.
00:09:17 Mr. MacWhite in the room.
00:13:19 I beg your pardon, Senator.
00:16:51 "I warn America! Our multitudes are pledged...
00:26:10 Tragedy. Rioting. Bloodshed.
00:30:51 If you don't mind, we'll stop this squabbling, and I'll present you with facts.
00:35:46 I just looked at it and rejected all other possibilities.
00:40:39 One of my worst assistants. He's lazy. He eats too much.
00:44:53 I have to wear two faces now.
00:49:37 I don't know. It's, uh...
00:53:33 Then force Kwen Sai to prove it's for my people.
00:58:16 I want you to do three things.
01:02:27 Mr. Ambassador, I'd like you to meet the village head man.
01:07:00 Be hearing from me.Thank you, sir.
01:11:30 and it would drive a harpoon right into the heart of the Communist concentration.
01:15:05 - Otra vez. - How about another beer, Homer?
01:18:48 It'll give things time to quiet down a little.
01:22:47 What?
01:31:54 All right. I'll be in touch with the eventh Fleet and the State Department.
01:40:18 I'm happy to see you're not intimidated by this little gathering.
01:44:43 Grainger'll stand by here.
01:50:01 Believe me.
01:56:34 Here's the ambassador. Get some pictures!
50:00:00 a little chicken wire.