The Ugly American book cover

Cover via Open Library

Movie · 1963

Is The Ugly American based on a book?

Quick answer

Yes. The Ugly American is based on the book The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer (1958).

The movie was released in 1963.

The book behind The Ugly American

The Ugly American cover

The Ugly American

by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer · first published 1958

Book by Eugene Burdick.

Common questions

Is The Ugly American based on a book?

Yes. The Ugly American is based on the book The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer (1958).

Who wrote the book The Ugly American is based on?

The Ugly American was written by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer and first published in 1958.

Should I read the book before watching?

If you like knowing the full story and characters first, read The Ugly American before you watch. Adaptations often change or cut plotlines, so the book is a different experience even if you've seen the movie.

More screen adaptations of Eugene Burdick's books

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). See also Wikipedia.