In the novel, Fowler arranges the death of Pyle (called only The American in this film version) because of how Pyle is meddling in Vietnam's affairs and causing the deaths of innocent civilians by creating his "third force", an American-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 Fowl ...[Read Story ]