The Quiet American: Your views

The film was ready to be screened over a year ago

The Quiet American finally got a release in the US earlier this month after Miramax, its American distributor, delayed it due to fears that it might be perceived as less than patriotic.

The film, which is now out in the UK too, retells the Graham Greene story of an English journalist (Michael Caine) trying not to get involved in the Vietnam conflict and an American CIA agent (Brendan Fraser) who has the opposite idea.

"The Quiet American is the most pointed commentary you will see anywhere this year on America's possible invasion of Iraq," wrote BBC News Online's Tim Levell.

But what did you think?

Is it unpatriotic? Is it a good film regardless of the controversy?

BBC News Online users sent us their views.

Now more than ever we need to remember the mistakes of the past. I was an author in Viet-Nam in the mid-1950's and there is a lot of truth in this movie. I had the pleasure of seeing The Quiet American at a private screening with Michael Caine and everyone there expected I would have something to criticize, but there is nothing in this excellent movie I would change.
Lynn, USA

Don't sit in and watch Fame Academy. Dash to the cinema and watch this film.
Sarah Woolley, England

A very subtle performance by Caine. By subtle, I mean that the depth of the emotions and attitudes he shows on screen are a bit ambiguous. Some critics would like a more clear-cut performance - Caine does seem to sleepwalk through the film in some parts. Whether this ambiguity is deliberate and a brilliant piece of work, or a demonstration of Caine's or the directors shortcomings , I know not. Personally, I prefer a bit of British ambiguity to a film. It adds more to the intrigue and allows more for personal interpretation. Overall I found it one of the more rewarding films I've seen this year, if not a classic. And Gawd bless sir Michael Caine. Still a national treasure
Giles, England

As a Brit living in America I say its about time someone opened the eyes of the movie going population over here.
Robert Flint, England (currently in USA)

I really enjoyed this film. Although largely predictable in parts the film entertained thoughout. Well worth a night at the cinema.
Anita Iredale, UK

An excellent performance by Caine; his best yet. Certainly an eye-opener for the US audience.
Carl Kuttelwascher, UK

Carl, UK: How is this film an 'eye-opener' for the US? From what I recall, it was the most violently protested war of American history. Americans are not blind to what happened in Vietnam. We weren't then and we certainly aren't now. I would suggest that you get to know the US 'audience' more before giving advice about film that details what most Americans knew thirty some odd years ago.
Ricky Morgan, USA

I saw this movie in a preview in Los Angeles about a year ago. Unless things have dramatically changed since, I have to say this movie, despite it's huge potential, was a disappointment.

I thought the casting of Brendan Fraser as a CIA chief was a huge mistake - and the love triangle was a total bore. I'm not snubbing Brendan Fraser's ability, but he simply looked far too young and innocent to play that kind of role. Also, if they had concentrated more on the fascinating main story, instead of the meaningless sub-plot, I would have been far more satisfied at the end. 2 stars.
Sarah, UK/US

Michael Caine has yet to give us his greatest performance which he still has the ability to give...this was not it!
Sean Murphy, USA

I've just seen the movie in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and I loved it. It's refreshing to see a movie examining the why of the US involvement in VN. I thought the acting was spot on and I can see why Sir Michael Caine was cast - his ability to talk direct to the audience and reveal his emotions in close up, which he showed in Alfie was needed for this movie. I loved the way that the events were relatively few and simple - but what they opened up was a moral Pandora's box. I disagree that the love triangle is a 'sub-plot'. It is essential. By measuring the 'ethical' conduct of the characters shown in the love triangle we can measure their political conduct. It also provides the moral ambiguity (which Sir Michael Caine portrays so well), so that we leave the cinema not quite sure of whether his motives were political, humanist or personal. Perhaps the character, Fowler can't decide either.
Andy, Vietnam