THE VIETNAM WAR, a new 10-part, 18 hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick for America's Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). In an immersive narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides. Six years in the making, the series brings the war and the chaotic epoch it encompassed viscerally to life. Written by Geoffrey C Ward, produced by Sarah Botstein, Novick and Burns, it includes rarely seen, digitally re-mastered archival footage from sources around the globe, photographs taken by some of the most celebrated photojournalists of the 20th century, historic television broadcasts, evocative home movies, and revelatory audio recordings from inside the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administrations. THE VIETNAM WAR features new, original music written and recorded by Academy Award-winning composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and new music arranged and performed by Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble. The series also features more than 120 popular songs that define the era, including tracks from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Ben E King, Phil Ochs, Donovan, Johnny Cash, Barry McGuire, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, Otis Redding, Santana, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, The Temptations, Booker T and the MGs, Pete Seeger and more. The Vietnam War was a decade of agony that took the lives of more than 58,000 Americans, Burns said. Not since the Civil War have we as a country been so torn apart. There wasn t an American alive then who wasn t affected in some way from those who fought and sacrificed in the war, to families of service members and POWs, to those who protested the war in open conflict with their government and fellow citizens. More than 40 years after it ended, we can t forget Vietnam, and we are still arguing about why it went wrong, who was to blame and whether it was all worth it. "We are all searching for some meaning in this terrible tragedy. Ken and I have tried to shed new light on the war by looking at it from the bottom up, the top down and from all sides," Novick said. "In addition to dozens of Americans who shared their stories, we interviewed many Vietnamese on both the winning and losing sides, and were surprised to learn that the war remains as painful and unresolved for them as it is for us. Within this almost incomprehensibly destructive event, we discovered profound, universal human truths, as well as uncanny resonances with recent events." Subtitles: English, Spanish
A**D
A detailed doc. on Vietnam war– Ken Burnes brilliant work
This is one of the best war documentaries I have ever seen. It was very interesting to hear the views of the young Americans who volunteered to serve the US army in the Vietnam war and the formation of the peace movement who were opposing American involvement in the war. Vietnamese unity and resilience were remarkable, despite day and night bombing from Americans. I do need to mention that it is very painful to watch the killings of the young soldiers on both sides (especially the killings of civilians including the women, children and elderly). War is brutal and non-humane and must be avoided by all means. One of the lessons learnt from the Vietnam war would be to use all possible alternative options instead of getting involved in a war. One should never give up negotiations regardless of how strong feelings might be. God has given us a precious life to live and to let others live too, regardless of differences in ideologies and beliefs. There is a lot to learn and think about after watching this documentary. Thank you Mr. Burns for this remarkable documentary. I wish I could give 10 stars.
D**E
Fantastic introduction to the Vietnam War.
There is understandably some American bias, but having said that it portrays in detail the political shenanigans of the USA as well as the corruption in South Vietnam. Covering a period from the withdrawal of French forces to the withdrawal of America it does a good job of covering many points of view.I was a young teenager in the UK when America was involved and although I was aware the war was going on, most of it passed me by. We were a much more naive world back then. I found the films a fantastic introduction to much of what went on in that war torn country. I spent a lot of time muttering " so he was lying then" and other similar comments, especially during the later films. Now I want to know more!So many lies,deaths, brutality and waste, but above all bravery, not just of the soldiers who were asked to do many stupid things, but also the civilians on both sides. I regularly had tears in my eyes, and if you are prone to crying have a large box of tissues handy.Would thoroughly recommend.
H**R
best war documentary since world at war.... if not better...
this documentary should be shown on mainstream telly, a stunning bit of work and research, if in doubt about purchasing dont be, 10/10...its has been shown on PSB America, thats where I caught it form episode 3 watched the rest, as soon as part 10 was finished I went onto amazon n bought it, yes its that good..
T**O
A masterpiece
Comprehensive telling of a sorry tale of broken promises, misunderstandings and, above all, American hubris which still resonates fifty years on.
B**O
Classic
A classic of documentary making. Superb in every respect
R**N
Sheer excellence.
Already seen part of this film on PBS so I knew it was excellent.Thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in this subject.One issue though,one of the disc grips in the volume one case is broken so the disc slides around inside.Hopefully it won't get damaged.I'm sure that's not Ken Burns' fault though!
C**N
Excellent programme
If your into the history of the vietnam war then this is for you. quite a lot of information I did not know about and found it very interesting. Found myself binge watching it
L**N
The Civil War 2
An optimist inside me says: "I wish this film would have been made back in 1979 and shown to Brezhnev and the Politburo members before they voted to send Russian boys to Afghanistan... or to Bush back in 2001... or to Putin in 2014... Perhaps they would learn from this tragedy, from history, and would not make the same mistake... again and again.Yet a pessimist inside me replies: Never. They would bave done exactly the same. They would have issued exactly the same orders - and thousands, if not millions, would die. For nothing. Nobody ever learns from history. At least not our leaders. And other Vietnams will happen - again and again. At least this program helps us, ordinary people, to remember.The brilliant film. Brilliant footage and wonderfully touching and horrible stories told by war veterans and members of their families on both sides.The best film by KB (and LN) since the Civil War. Sometimes, bizarrely, it feels like watching the Civil War again - and listening to the voice of Peter Coyote- this time the war somehow has been transferred into the 20th century. We never learn from history... at least some people appreciate it.Despite all this praise I feel however that the set it a bit overpriced and not available on bluray in Europe . 5 stars, of course.
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