The Quiet American

Corrected entry: Fowler has not been informed how and when Pyle would be killed, in fact he was only able to guess from Hinh's hints that a murder is planned. But when he arrives at the Vieux Moulin where he was asked to meet Pyle he only requests a table for one, something that's held against him later when inspector Vigot interrogates him. (01:18:35)

NancyFelix

Correction: Reading the book by Graham Greene, Fowler knows that Pyle is never going to join him in the restaurant, that is part of the subtility of the story. The single table reservation is a mistake by Fowler, implicating him, but it is not a movie mistake.

Airborne60

Corrected entry: As a signal to the assassins, Pyle was asked to show himself on the balcony with a book in his hand. This is supposed to indicate that he would be having dinner with Pyle at the Vieux Moulin. However, he gives the signal before he has asked Pyle to meet, therefore not yet sure if the dinner would work out as planned. (01:17:35)

NancyFelix

Correction: Mistake, yes but not a movie mistake. Fowler does exactly that in the book written by Graham Greene.

Airborne60

Corrected entry: After Fowler twists his ankle, there is a scene in which he's in an office-like place with a walking stick, yelling and limping. While he's yelling, watch his 'hurt' leg. He walks using it without the cane at least 3 times.

Correction: Even with a severely twisted ankle it is possible to walk a few steps without support. The obvious absence of pain indicates that his injury was less severe. More of a character issue with Fowler than a movie mistake.

Airborne60

Continuity mistake: When Pyle and Fowler talk about the sound difference of a backfiring car and a grenade Pyle's jacket is hanging over his right sholder, held by one finger. When the camera angle changes it's hanging over his left arm. (00:09:30)

NancyFelix

More mistakes in The Quiet American

Thomas Fowler: I have never thought of myself as a correspondent, just a reporter. I offer no point of view, I take no action, I don't get involved. I just report what I see.
Alden Pyle: But you must have an opinion.
Thomas Fowler: Even an opinion is a form of action.

More quotes from The Quiet American

Trivia: The officer speaking French is true to historical facts: it was mainly the French Foreign Legion fighting in Indochina at the time. However, the troops were predominantly of German origin (ex Wehrmacht and SS soldiers) and there is no detectable German accent in their French. True, this could be a fully French unit, thus no mistake. In live movies and interviews from the time, German accents in French are common.

Airborne60

More trivia for The Quiet American

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