Engl 201, Fall 2006
Discussion questions
1958 & 2002 film adaptations of The Quiet American 

We will begin by reviewing the Hotel Continental bombing scenes in the 1958 and 2002 films.  In later classes, we will compare other scenes from the two film adaptations of Greene's novel.  You will discuss the questions below in groups and produce a report on Pyle's and Fowler's characterization and its impact on the image of the Vietnam War in the films.  In your final project, you will have the option of doing research on one historical model for Pyle, Colonel Edward Lansdale, and producing an annotated bibliography of the sources you have found. 

1. Discuss the portrayal of Pyle in the 1958 and 2002 film adaptations of The Quiet American.  How does his characterization--especially his involvement or lack of involvement in the Hotel Continental bombing--affect our response to American involvement in Vietnam as set out in the films. 
    
2. Discuss the portrayal of Fowler in the 1958 and 2002 film adaptations of The Quiet American.  How does his characterization--especially his role in the murder of Pyle--affect our response to American involvement in Vietnam as set out in the films?