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Vietnam War - Doco.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 1:46 pm
by Hafiz
There is a new TV/film documentary that tries to put the bits together in the complicated story. Its got faults but is beautifully made, maybe a bit too poetic, and by arguably the world’s greatest documentarian. Long, slow, honest, ugly, balanced, sad, personal and detailed it takes a middle position and is universally acclaimed by reviewers. It is far from dry as dust/Open University and no-one is allowed to feel good about the whole mess.

I can find no reviewer, other than lunatics, that has more that the slightest reservations about it with most considering it a triumph.

Its Ken Burn’s The Vietnam War – 10 part and 17 hours and took 10 years to make. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vietn ... _reception

Some reviews: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07 ... ocumentary
http://www.newsweek.com/vietnam-ken-bur ... pbs-666582
https://www.themonthly.com.au/blog/matt ... ietnam-war
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/10/2 ... ken-burns/

You might be able to get it for free, otherwise an artist has got to make an income. Some possible free options: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/watch/

If you think the US/Vietnam war is just a thing for local interest then I suggest you might miss the issue that it focused anger, confidence in government and the generation divide that was found world wide at the same time. Its still relevant because these divisions are still current.

Ken Burns and his brother have over the past two decades made some of the best and most beautiful film documentaries in history. In simple terms, but less so with Vietnam, poetry is combined with fact. Visually they are splendid and music and the best commentary voices are also a key part. Their long history of Jazz and of the American Civil War are standouts that have permanently changed the style of documentaries everywhere in the world.

Oddly, I speculate that young people would not be interested in anything the Burn’s brothers make. Maybe there will be a 3 minute précis made for YouTube.

Re: Vietnam - Doco.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 2:15 pm
by newcastle
Maybe there will be a 3 minute précis made for YouTube.
I don't know about that but here's a lengthy (1hr 36min) YouTube discussion on the series, including Burns & Novick, with clips.



I think the documentary is being shown on Netflix.

Re: Vietnam War - Doco.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 2:38 pm
by Horus
I could not find that particular one on Netflix, but there are plenty of other good Ken Burns productions:
The War
The Civil War
The West
Prohibition
The Roosevelt’s

To name but a few and all are very good. :up

Re: Vietnam War - Doco.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 3:43 pm
by Who2
I found it highly informative and interesting viewing... 8)
oh ! they played some great tunes as well...

Re: Vietnam War - Doco.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 6:33 pm
by Dusak
Ken Burns is THE best documentery film maker. :up

Re: Vietnam War - Doco.

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:34 pm
by Winged Isis
The Civil War one is fabulous, as is it's music; I still have and play the cassette (yes, cassette).