Vietnam-Netflix



Watched it several times before visiting earlier this year, explains really well how that awful war came to be, and a wonderful insight into the people and history of the region.
Loved Vietnam, the people, the food and the culture.
 
For those with the boxset/purchase; theres some extra content in the menu's and it's more interviews with the CIA who basically sit and admit that they were unfairly interrogating NVA suspects and were amazed by their resolve. For example they tried tricks like locking them in a windowless room for weeks serving them breakfast at like 11pm to try and trick their body clock. They hoped this would exhaust them further so they'd spill the beans but it still didn't work. Theres also an extra that shows you the size of the main US base in Vietnam during the period the most troops were in country. The base had a hotel, 3-4 swimming pools, golf course, nightclub, shopping mall it was unbelievable. There were some cases of troops being ill disciplined on purpose because that's where they were stationed for weeks while awaiting trial. It's a really fascinating boxset.
 
Last edited:
Big Duke Six said:
The World At War is the best ever war documentary.
Click to expand...
I re-watched it this year, it's still years ahead of pretty much everything. Its depressing how it's such a touchstone for all documentaries supposedly yet hardly any of them seem to learn its lessons. In particular it has a sense of wit and humanity which still seems revolutionary.

I would say though that the Vietnam doc can go to to tie with it, basically for the same reasons WAW is so good. Clear, detailed, authorativletly researched and informed, aims for impartiality and is largely non judgemental of combatants, and the humanity (and inhumanity) of it all is always to the fore.
Maxnormal said:
Nixon comes across as a right cûñt.


no surprises there mind.
Click to expand...
The whole aspect of all of the Presidents just sleepwalking Into it for no real reason and just expecting it to go well is depressingly prescient
 
Last edited:
stan said:
If Vietnam interests you, read Chickenhawk, a great book.
Click to expand...

Nam by Mark Baker is excellent but different. Nothing about the political story of the war but just page after page of experiences from those in the conflict from being drafted to going home. Sad, funny and informative on a personal level. The perfect holiday read - open up to any page and enjoy.
 
sonson said:
I re-watched it this year, it's still years ahead of pretty much everything. Its depressing how it's such a touchstone for all documentaries supposedly yet hardly any of them seem to learn its lessons. In particular it has a sense of wit and humanity which still seems revolutionary.

I would say though that the Vietnam doc can go to to tie with it, basically for the same reasons WAW is so good. Clear, detailed, authorativletly researched and informed, aims for impartiality and is largely non judgemental of combatants, and the humanity (and inhumanity) of it all is always to the fore.

The whole aspect of all of the Presidents just sleepwalking Into it for no real reason and just expecting it to go well is depressingly prescient
Click to expand...
Only 2 episodes in but JFK seems to have acted out of vanity through losing out to Khrushchev
 

Back
Top