Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Vietnam War Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 9, 2017

Hubris. If there’s a single word that defines The Vietnam War, it’s hubris. It’s a conflict that’s been covered from a thousand different angles, depicted in all forms of media over the last 50 years, with film being a particularly evocative meditation on an era of political folly, innocence lost, and a various nations thrown into chaos. Think “Coming Home,” “Platoon,” and “Born on the Fourth of July” -- vivid tales of psychological erosion, but personal ones as well, using the particulars of combat and self-destruction to inspire riveting drama. Directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick elect to forgo corners of the conflict to wrap their arms around the whole event, creating “The Vietnam War,” a ten-part documentary that endeavors to make sense of almost everything connected to the shocking experience, from origin to aftermath. Coming from a creative team that’s already dissected The Civil War, World War I, and World War II, there’s expected greatness with “The Vietnam War,” an assurance of quality. And yet, Burns and Novick manage to surprise with their balance between detail and expanse, capturing finer points of mental illness and shame as they track the progress of global horror, born from sheer political arrogance.

“The Vietnam War” attempts to establish clarity by going back in time, beginning the story not in the 1960s, but in 1858, filing through distant history to help provide narrative direction, using the French colonization of Indochina as a starting point, providing necessary context for power plays to come. Burns and Novick inch slowly along, but they reach the meat of the matter quickly, ultimately focusing on the behavior and decision-making abilities of three U.S. Presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. While other leaders were involved with war plans, the big three defined the conflict, with the documentary providing an eye-opening look at the ways of self-preservation in politics, finding the men more interested in brightening their reelection campaigns than protecting lives. It’s sickening, but there’s a lot of stomach-churning material in “The Vietnam War,” which doesn’t focus completely on White House ego, making sure the Vietnamese perspective, North and South, is maintained throughout the epic documentary journey.

Footage from the conflict is amazing and plentiful, sharply edited and juiced with sound effects to help bring terror to life, filling the screen with images of panicked young men blasting away with guns, while planes and helicopters swarm the sky, dropping countless bombs. There are scoring efforts from Yo-Yo Ma and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross the support the film’s movement, finding musical pressure points along the way, also identifying cultural sounds (the addition of rock and folk-laden soundtrack is expected, but remains perfect). However, the real achievement of “The Vietnam War” are the interviews, with Burns and Novick sitting down with all types of soldiers and civilians to achieve some sense of clarity to the ongoing hostility. The conversations are unsettlingly candid, almost therapeutic in their intensity as those personally involved in the war share memories from their darkest years, some finally releasing torment that’s been building for decades. Such a spotlight is necessary for the Viet Cong mobilization, offering valuable insight into the country’s divide and Communist ambition, with Burns and Novick remaining respectful of Vietnamese participation.

Episodes:

“Déjà Vu (1858-1961)” (83:32)

After the French conquest of Indochina, a European society is built on foreign ground, with the new rulers of the land using the locals to manufacture their empire. In the shadow of World War I, the saga of Ho Chi Minh begins, tracking the eventual leader of North Vietnam through his efforts to refocus world interests on his homeland’s agony, while a new force, the Viet Minh, begin to organize, eventually put to the test when Japanese forces begin to claim Indochina as their own, starving the helpless. Looking for an advantage during World War II, the U.S. spends money and time in Vietnam to disrupt Japanese interests, only to turn neutral after the war as the French stage a reoccupation. Sensitive to criticisms about his handling of China, President Truman breaks neutrality as war spreads around Asia, dividing Vietnam, putting emphasis on the fight against communism. And advances in strategy and power make way for the development of the National Liberation Front and its off shoot, the People’s Liberation Armed Forces, also known as the Viet Cong.

“Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)” (84:39)

With the inaugural of JFK comes hope of a quick conflict in Vietnam, with the new president refusing to commit soldiers to the region, instead sending Green Berets, inspiring “limited warfare” to help the South Vietnamese on the battlefield. The experience of Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Vann is recounted, with his efforts to “save Vietnam” turning disastrous during incidents such at the Battle of Ap Bac, which introduces a more practiced Viet Cong, newly empowered to fight their enemy. Media coverage is scrutinized, contrasting positive headlines with the actual fight, leaving the truth in the hands of a small group of reporters. The war at home intensifies with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, while Vietnam experiences its own troubles with Buddhist protests, peaking with a scene of self-immolation that sends shockwaves around the world. And with JFK floundering with his plans for Vietnam, trying to gain political strength during this time, a coup is staged, with operatives capturing and killing Ngo Dinh Diem, the corrupt president of the Republic of Vietnam.

“The River Styx (January 1964 – December 1965)” (116:07)

After the assassination of JFK, Lyndon Johnson inherits the presidency, but remains hesitant to escalate the situation in Vietnam, depending on his cabinet to make sense of a confusing situation. As South Vietnam burns through a succession of governments, North Vietnam becomes focused under the leadership of Le Duan, who receives aid and troops from China to help bolster the ranks as the Viet Cong ramp up military plans. Still careful with his decisions, LBJ passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, but offerings of restraint are lost during the battle of Binh Gia. With General Westmorland organizing American interests, Operation Rolling Thunder commences a new escalation from LBJ’s military, while at home, Vietnam War protestors begin to shape their organizational efforts, growing in numbers by the week. Finally, Marines are dispatched in Da Nang, bringing the conflict to new level of engagement, cementing the American presence in the country, with horrors captured by journalists and broadcast to a stunned nation.

“Resolve (January 1966 – June 1967)” (115:37)

Trying to minimize impact from the growing discontent surrounding the Vietnam War, LBJ heads to Hawaii for a meeting with the North Vietnamese while America is offered televised access to the Fulbright Hearings, exposing growing resistance to the mission. Concepts such as “Crossover Point” and “Body Count” are explored, used to distract outsiders from the problems at hand, offering false military goals. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is highlighted, which allows the Viet Cong to move weapons across Vietnam without detection. In America, the draft becomes a major issue of anxiety, with 30,000 young men sent into duty every month, stirring up protests, including movements led by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Spock. The POW experience is examined with Everett Alvarez, who spend 8 years in torturous conditions. And disillusionment spreads in government and civilian circles, with newly trained Marines especially sensitive to the road ahead, while General Westmorland’s leadership soon becomes an elaborate guessing game.

“This Is What We Do (July 1967 – December 1967)” (83:30)

Frustrations during the fight emerge in the form of derogatory phrases and epithets, most carrying over from other conflicts. War zone panic increases with widespread malfunctioning of the M-16 machine gun, which often jams during the heat of battle, adding to the list of preventable casualties. Weariness of war begins to set in with all involved, including the mood in Hanoi, inspiring leaders to begin the early planning stages of the Tet Offensive. Combat in Con Thein carries a heavy loss of life, while in America, antiwar protesters begin to target the Pentagon in large numbers, inspiring a peace movement the soldiers in Vietnam don’t understand. The saga of John McCain is recounted. And the Battle of Dak To carries on for weeks, urging LBJ to launch a “Success Offensive” to secure a sunnier side to war reporting, hoping to win back the public as a new presidential election begins to take shape.

“Things Fall Apart (January 1968 – July 1968)” (85:59)

A mystery arises with the formation of military plans from the Viet Cong, timed around the holiday of Tet, with American forces trying to figure out what’s going on with the enemy. Chaos begins with the U.S. Embassy attack, and hostilities boil over during what would become the Tet Offensive, with the Battle of Hue destroying the city, offering grim scenes of death and cruelty to a national televised audience, hurting LBJ’s plans for reelection. And unrest continues in America, with the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy stirring up division as riots break out, while the men who served return home to a society that doesn’t care about their heroism.

“The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968 – May 1969)” (109:46)

Much like Americans, North Vietnam residents are fed propaganda-style news celebrating the war effort while thousands perish daily in combat. With the end of LBJ’s tenure as president, Richard Nixon, a longtime politician, finally achieves political victories, making his way to the White House. In Chicago, extreme violence stains the Democratic National Convention, with antiwar protestors swarming the event, clashing with police. Fighting rages on in Vietnam, moving to the Mekong Delta region, also emphasizing the innocents caught in firefights, callously added to Body Count totals. The savagery of man is detailed, exploring how gentle Midwestern boys were turned into murderous monsters during service. And Nixon’s presidency sells the idea of peace, with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger making promises to protestors he can’t keep.

“The History of the World (April 1969 – May 1970)” (110:21)

The birth of the POW-MIA movement is recalled, with Americans turning their attention on those trapped in prisons without hope for freedom. The battle of Hamburger Hill is detailed, along with Nixon’s dream of “Vietnamization,” putting the burden of battle on the South Vietnamese army. Tales of racism and “fragging” are recalled, with soldiers creating their own sense of justice as vicious commanders are marked for death. In Vietnam, Ho Cho Minh passes away, while in America, public dissent turns into radicalization, with domestic terrorist groups, including the Weathermen, killing to make themselves heard. The gruesome waves of unspeakable violence during the My Lai Massacre are explored, inspiring a greater swell of antiwar organization. And college campuses become a hot zone of protesting, with the Kent State shootings inspiring a renewed wave of demonstration, including veterans of the war.

“A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970 – March 1973)” (110:44)

With troop morale at an all-time low, the war at home is complicated with the arrival of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War organization, allowing those who served a chance to voice their frustrations. The release of the Pentagon Papers effectively severs trust in the last three presidents and the office itself, detailing the speed of lies used to protect political interests. As Nixon seeks to rebuild relationships with a visit to China, Vietnam continues to disintegrate, recently suffering through “The Summer of Flames.” The saga of Valerie Kushner, critic of government and wife to a POW, is explored. As Nixon seeks reelection, Kissinger has difficulty brokering peace in Paris, finally reaching an agreement to pull troops out and reclaim POWs, but only after a shocking bombing puts pressure on the North Vietnamese to comply.

“The Weight of Memory (March 1973 – Onward)” (109:07)

With Nixon embroiled in the Watergate scandal, his promises of support for South Vietnam are quietly erased, allowing the Viet Cong to take control of the country now with American forces gone. The takeover of Saigon is detailed, including the disorganized American Embassy evacuation. Now with North Vietnam in charge, re-education camps are set up to imprison undesirables, and communism commences an economic disaster. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is finally defined, helping vets with their psychological issues. Plans for a Vietnam Memorial are challenged over a stark design option. And the “normalization” of Vietnam finally takes hold, permitting vets to return to the land and trade to begin, restoring a future for a country that was once completely lost to violence.

The Vietnam War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio, 1080i) presentation for "The Vietnam War" offers a wide range of visual evidence to support the dramatic journey, working with film and video footage that looks as good as possible. The overall flow of imagery is consistent, merging modern HD-shot interviews (some look better than others) with rare reels of battles and gatherings. The subjects are most defined, offering an adequate look at aging particulars, including wiry hair and wrinkles. Sharpness is also valuable for subtle emotional moments, exposing teary eyes and quivering lips. Older footage retains filmic qualities, with thick grain. Color is retained in full, with natural skintones and livelier hues on outfits. Vietnam visits offer lush greenery. Delineation is satisfactory. Mild banding is periodically detected.

The Vietnam War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles superbly throughout, generating a sense of time and place when permitted. Surrounds aren't overwhelming, but they're effective, filling out the room with soundtrack selections and combat atmospherics, distant troop chatter as well. Interviewees sound clean and clear, securing tentative confessions. Scoring is commanding, with deep instrumentation, offering some low-end activity with percussion, but it remains respectful of the human element. There's a precise sound mix for "The Vietnam War" that brings tension to a boil, with sound effects taking over at times, selling the different environments and machinery, while gunfire is realistically sharp and bombs are loud and heavy.

The Vietnam War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1

• Making Of (39:47, HD) is a satisfying overview of the production effort, led by interviews with directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. There's a lot of footage from the documentary included to help with publicity purposes, but the featurette does cover the creation of the chapters, highlighting interviews, research, scoring, editing, and test screenings -- showing the work to actual Vietnam vets to help secure authenticity. The details are fascinating, and Burns is well-rehearsed, sharing enthusiasm for the work.

• Deleted Scenes (HD) include "The March Down the Ho Chi Min Trail" (2:28), "An American Woman in a War Zone" (2:49), "Delivering Bad News" (4:36), "Hero Pilot of North Vietnam" (5:11), "Tigers, Elephants, and Helicopters" (3:12), and "For No Reason At All" (3:32).

Disc 10

• Deleted Scenes (HD) include "Fellow Warriors: Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan" (20:35), "A Vietnam War Deserter in a West Point Classroom" (6:53), "Facing the Draft Board" (3:32), "Behind the Lines at Long Binh" (5:03), and "Captured Spy and an American Interrogator" (11:06).

The Vietnam War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Vietnam War" is an emotional viewing experience, and it carefully manages the bigness of government plans and brutal combat (fair warning: the documentary is graphic) with startling intimacy, getting into the hearts and minds of those who fought, protested, and managed the war. Most directly, asides with individual personalities help to clarify certain areas of expertise and bring the conflict home, with the saga of Denton Crocker one of the major through lines of the production, tracking a 17-year-old boy's dream of fighting for his country gradually devolve into regret and confusion, with his family powerless to do anything about it. The pain of this evolution is key to the viewing experience, with Burns and Novick achieving a precise perspective to help support the movement of men in power, who made reprehensible decisions with young lives. It's striking work and, clocking in at nearly 20 hours in length, a long haul, but the reward is a renewed understanding of how The Vietnam War came to be, how it changed nations, how it destroyed the American Presidency, and how it ruined so many lives, with trauma the connective tissue between tales of fear, confusion, and remorse. It's certainly not an easy sit, but a necessary one.