The Ugly American

The story

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?

Cast & crew

Marlon BrandoAmbassador Harrison Carter MacWhite

Eiji OkadaDeong

Sandra ChurchMarion MacWhite

Pat HingleHomer Atkins

Arthur HillGrainger

Jocelyn BrandoEmma Atkins

Reiko SatoRachani, Deong's Wife

Kukrit Pramoj

Kukrit PramojPrime Minister Kwen Sai

Judson PrattJoe Bing

George Shibata

George ShibataMunsang

Philip OberAmbassador Sears

Carl Benton ReidSenator at Confirmation Hearing