Saigon (1947)
After World War II, two army buddies travel through South-East Asia and become involved with a dangerous criminal and his secretary. One of the men is terminally ill, which gives the story a bittersweet edge. Their journey turns into an adventure involving smuggling, money, and murder.
Narrative Score
Full Plot & Ending Explained
Intro
The film follows Major Larry Briggs, Sgt. Pete Rocco, and Captain Mike Perry after World War II, when they learn that Mike has only a short time left to live because of a fatal head injury. Rather than tell Mike, Larry and Pete keep him moving through a risky air job tied to profiteer Alex Maris and his secretary Susan Cleaver.
Turning Point 1
Larry and Pete decide to give Mike “the best couple of months of his life” in ignorance of his condition, and they take a lucrative flying job to Saigon to earn money for the trip. The job is supposed to pay $10,000 and is arranged through Maris, a shady businessman who is also carrying contraband money.
Turning Point 2
At the airfield, Maris is delayed by police, and Susan unexpectedly arrives in his place with the briefcase she refuses to let anyone touch. When the plane is forced to depart under pressure, Susan is taken along against her wishes, and the journey immediately turns into a tense, improvised escape.
Turning Point 3
After the aircraft suffers engine trouble and makes an emergency landing, the group continues by boat and becomes entangled with Police Lieutenant Keon, who suspects them of smuggling. Larry cleverly hides suspicion from Keon by mailing the money to himself, while also keeping Susan from being exposed as the bearer of Maris’s cash.
Turning Point 4
In the smaller stopover before Saigon, Mike falls in love with Susan, and Larry notices that Susan is drawn to him as well. Larry first tries to break the situation apart, then reverses course and blackmails Susan into continuing the romance with Mike so that his dying friend can have happiness.
Turning Point 5
Once they reach Saigon, Larry realizes that his own feelings for Susan have deepened, even as Mike proposes to her. The emotional triangle becomes sharper when Maris reappears furious, demands the hidden money, and takes Larry hostage in Susan’s hotel room.
Turning Point 6
Pete breaks in, fights Maris’s valet Simon, and the struggle ends with both men falling from a balcony to their deaths. Meanwhile, Susan has secretly arranged to recover the money from the post office and return it to Maris, but the confrontation still escalates into gunfire that kills Mike and Maris.
Ending
After Mike’s funeral, Larry and Susan finally begin a new life together, with the tragedy of Mike’s death and the money scheme bringing their love story to its conclusion.
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