Set in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1952 during the French Indochina war, THE QUIET AMERICAN is based on the mystery story by Graham Greene, and directed by Phillip Noyce. A middle-aged British reporter for the London Times, Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine), has been working in Vietnam, covering politics and enjoying the local culture. He lives with a beautiful young woman, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen), a taxi dancer who he rescued from that undesirable profession. He cannot marry her, because he is already married to a Catholic woman in London who does not believe in divorce. But he truly loves her. When a young American doctor, Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), falls in love with Phuong, threatening to take her from Fowler, everything changes. Not only is Fowler's romantic life put in danger, but he begins to uncover disturbing information about the U.S.'s involvement in the war.

An intriguing and atmospheric love story as well as a riveting mystery, THE QUIET AMERICAN features top-notch performances from Caine and Fraser, who maintain an eager intensity throughout the film. Combining the mysterious beauty of Saigon with the strangeness of the war, the film is suspenseful and effective.

Theatrical relase: November 22, 2002

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Letterbox - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes
Featurette: ANATOMY OF A SCENE
Audio Commentary: Phillip Noyce - Director
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access

Distributor Notes: The Quiet American

The acclaimed performances of two-time Academy Award(R)-winner Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, 1999; HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, 1986) and Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY, GODS AND MONSTERS) power a stylish political thriller where love and war collide in Southeast Asia. Set in early 1950s Vietnam, a young American (Fraser) becomes entangled in a dangerous love triangle when he falls for the beautiful mistress of a British journalist (Caine). As war is waged around them, these three only sink deeper into a world of drugs, passion, and betrayal where nothing is as it seems. Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene -- you'll find yourself riveted by the fascinating intricacies and ever-developing intrigue of this outstanding motion picture.

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Michael Caine: British Actor, ALFIE (1966)
Brendan Fraser: American actor, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
Do Thi Hai Yen: Actor, THE QUIET AMERICAN (2002)

Phillip Noyce: Australian Director

William Horberg: Producer
Staffan Ahrenberg: Screenwriter, THE QUIET AMERICAN (2002)

Christopher Hampton: Screenwriter/Playwright
Robert Schenkkan: Producer/Screenwriter

"...There are compelling performances....Caine brings a touching sense of vulnerability..."
"...Fowler may be the richest character of Mr. Caine's screen career....This great English actor gives a performance of astonishing understatement whose tone wavers delicately between irony and sadness..."
"...Caine gives the kind of seemingly effortless performance it needs an entire career to prepare for....Caine's performance is intricate without seeming to be, a nuanced marvel of the actor's craft..."
"...THE QUIET AMERICAN is a towering achievement with a soul-baring performance by Michael Caine....Caine has never been better..."
"...An elegant film, elegantly shot by Chris Doyle....Noyce restores and sharpens the political outlines of the period..."
"...Superbly controlled, passionate....Caine makes his towering performance look casual..."
"...This is intelligent grown-up entertainment on both a political and a humanistic level..."