Vietnam: The War That Changed America

There are undoubtedly millions of archives to " farm " on this particular subject , but they have to be done subjectively , which this production fails where the series on Netflix ( Turning Point : The Vietnam War ) doesn't ; Chronologically, it's all over the place . The first episode manages to cover three years in an hour ? That's flawed in the extreme . Furthermore , I don't know who was detailed with the editing , as at one there was footage of whirly birds and Apache helicopters in the first episode , which didn't enter the fray until the seventies ? As with the Netflix offering , it has the same interviewees telling the same stories ? As for Ethan Hawke giving an impersonation of Clint Eastwood ? That was beyond bizarre.

As Episode 1 of "Vietnam: The War That Changed America" (2025 release; 6 episodes ranging from 38 to 47 min) opens, narrator Ethan Hawke that 2025 narks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war, and the Vietnam war was the first to so openly provide press (both written and filmed) access. We then go to "March 9, 1965" when there are 75,000 US combat troops, many just kids straight out of high school in Vietnam, fighting against the Viet Con from the north. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this documentary mini-series provides a concise overview of what happened in the Vietnam war, at that time the longest war ever in US history playing out over 4 US presidents. I cam to this country from Belgium in the early 80s when I was in my early 20s, and my knowledge of the Vietnam war was rather limited to what I saw on TV or in the movies. In other words: a lot of holes which I feel this mini-series does an excellent job in filling. The documentary makers interview a lot of people who lived through it, both from the US and from the Vietnamese (north and south). It is now clear that the US could not and would not win this war, even with 500,000 soldiers in Vietnam at one point. I also must mention the infamous scene towards the very end when helicopters were pushed into the ocean from the air carrier. I had never understood what was happening. Well, this documentary explains all of the context of what was going on at that time. And I now finally understand it.

"Vietnam: The War That Changed America" started streaming on Apple TV in the last week of so. I watched a;; 6 episodes over 2 evenings. This mini-series is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little too generous to me. All that aside, if you have an interest in the Vietnam war or in this country's history, I'd readily suggest you check it out and draw your own conclusion.

The only flaw this documentary had was that it was not longer. What an absolute incredible documentary. From showing detailed footage to a detailed, well driven veteran narrative. After watching this i really wanted to know more about the stories the vets told while interviewed. In my opinion they should have filled out the interviews, making them much longer. Most if not all interviews were very touching and well laid out. Some interviews was also combined with footage where the interviewed veteran actually was inte combat footage, which was very interesting. I can recommend this documentary series to any one interested in the Vietnam war, no matter how much you already think you know about it.

Is the failure to mention the criminal, corrupt & venal CHENNAULT AFFAIR, which extended the war by years & cost thousands of unnecessary American lives for political purposes. . Nixon & Kissinger should have tried & died in prison. Otherwise, a balanced presentation. Particularly the view from the North. Having served late in the war & living through the riots, the protests, the war, & the end, I liked this series. I regret much in life, but I'm proud of my service to the nation: not the war, but the comradere & protection of my fellow soldiers. The war shaped me...and scared me. But at least I came home.

Amazing. Includes home movie super eight video taken by pilots actually in the cockpit telling their story, and great video footage taken by journalists that were embedded on the ground in the offensive and the Mekong Delta just amazing stuff. I cannot recall a war documentary where the voice over which in this case is Ethan Hawk, describes the footage that you are seeing, and then cuts to the actual members of our Armed Forces that are captured in the video, who came home to tell their story just truly amazing no matter how old you are it's a great watch I highly recommend it you absolutely have to get through the second episode make sure you do.