backed army to  fight the Communists. The political climate at the time did not  allow these elements to be shown in the 1958 film. Instead, the  romantic rivalry between The American and Fowler for Phuong was  played up and this was made the cause of Fowlers act. Moreover, a  final scene was added in which we learn that Fowler has been  hoodwinked by the Communists into destroying The American, who is,  in reality, a noble man trying to bring hope and freedom to  Indochina. Graham Greene (I) (qv) was incensed by this change and  denounced the film.