Factual error: At the end of the movie, Harry Truman is quoted in 1954 in laying out the domino theory, but it was his successor, Dwight D. Eisenhower who did that.
The Quiet American (2002)
1 factual error
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Rade Serbedzija, Do Thi Hai Yen, Thi Hai Yen Do
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)
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.
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.
Join the mailing list
Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.