Two hour documentary currently airing on PBS's "American Experience" series.
Watched it last night and it's very well done. Using archival footage and interviews of protagonists and participants, it covers the last few days before the fall of Saigon, the end of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) and the evacuation of nearly 150,000 Americans and Vietnamese.
One of the featured people is Frank Snepp, the CIA's chief strategist in Saigon. I happened to interview Snepp for my Masters Thesis at NYU. I found his accounts to be as frank and honest as our conversations in 1978-9.
Tomorrow, April 30, is the 40th anniversary of the effective end of the Vietnam War. In the current Vietnam, it is a Holiday, celebrated as "Reunification Day"
This documentary was nominated for an Academy Award and it was produced by Rory Kennedy, the youngest daughter of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Rory is currently one of the top documentarians in the business. For any wondering, I would characterize this film as 99% apolitical.
It goes to great lengths to personalize the events of those last few days. The many acts of individual heroism recounted are amazing and inspiring. The account of one ARVN Helicopter Pilot is incredible.
I encounter Americans of Vietnamese descent most every day, and it is a stark reminder of what their parents and grandparents endured.
I highly recommend it for those my age (59) and older who lived through these events in our youth, as well as for those much younger who may not be fully aware of these pivotal moments in our history.
I also ask that anyone tempted to politicize this thread please start a separate thread on the All Topics Board and take political discussions there.
Watched it last night and it's very well done. Using archival footage and interviews of protagonists and participants, it covers the last few days before the fall of Saigon, the end of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) and the evacuation of nearly 150,000 Americans and Vietnamese.
One of the featured people is Frank Snepp, the CIA's chief strategist in Saigon. I happened to interview Snepp for my Masters Thesis at NYU. I found his accounts to be as frank and honest as our conversations in 1978-9.
Tomorrow, April 30, is the 40th anniversary of the effective end of the Vietnam War. In the current Vietnam, it is a Holiday, celebrated as "Reunification Day"
This documentary was nominated for an Academy Award and it was produced by Rory Kennedy, the youngest daughter of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Rory is currently one of the top documentarians in the business. For any wondering, I would characterize this film as 99% apolitical.
It goes to great lengths to personalize the events of those last few days. The many acts of individual heroism recounted are amazing and inspiring. The account of one ARVN Helicopter Pilot is incredible.
I encounter Americans of Vietnamese descent most every day, and it is a stark reminder of what their parents and grandparents endured.
I highly recommend it for those my age (59) and older who lived through these events in our youth, as well as for those much younger who may not be fully aware of these pivotal moments in our history.
I also ask that anyone tempted to politicize this thread please start a separate thread on the All Topics Board and take political discussions there.
