Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
The Quiet American (1958)
Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Graham Greene was incensed by the way his novel's anti-American bias was shifted into anti-Communism as his quiet American arrives in Indo-China in 1952 with naive notions about a moral 'third force' helping to resolve the conflict. Vietnam history may have proved Greene right, but this remains a superior, strikingly intelligent film. Locations in Saigon help in lending an amazingly convincing atmosphere, and Mankiewicz is very nearly at his best in probing the murky relationship between Murphy's American Candide and Redgrave's tormentedly cynical British war correspondent, with sexual rivalry and unwanted personal obligations providing a quicksand basis for their ideological clash. Much underrated at the time.Author: TM
Cast & crew
Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Producer: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Cast: Audie Murphy, Michael Redgrave, Claude Dauphin, Giorgia Moll, Bruce Cabot, Richard Loo full cast
Duration: 120 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations












What do you think?
Post your review now