The Ugly American (1963): cast, story & where to watch
1963 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 1963, The Ugly American is a thriller and drama film directed by George Englund, running about 115 minutes. “The most explosive adventure of our time!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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?
Who’s in it. The Ugly American stars Marlon Brando as Ambassador Harrison Carter MacWhite, Eiji Okada as Deong, Sandra Church as Marion MacWhite and Pat Hingle as Homer Atkins, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, The Ugly American has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Ugly American page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Ugly American tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Ugly American (1963)?
- In US, The Ugly American is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Ugly American worth watching?
- The Ugly American holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Ugly American?
- The Ugly American stars Marlon Brando, Eiji Okada, Sandra Church, Pat Hingle and Arthur Hill.
- When was The Ugly American released?
- The Ugly American was released in 1963, with a runtime of about 115 minutes.