The Vietnam War (TV series)

The Vietnam War (TV series)
Title	The Vietnam War
Director	Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
Narrated	Peter Coyote
Music	Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Country	United States
Language	English
Network	PBS
Runtime	18 hours (10 episodes)
First aired	September 17, 2017
Last aired	September 28, 2017

The Vietnam War (TV series). This documentary series is a comprehensive ten-part, 18-hour exploration of the Vietnam War, directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. It premiered on PBS in September 2017, examining the conflict from multiple perspectives, including those of American, Vietnamese, and Viet Cong combatants and civilians. The series is narrated by Peter Coyote and features an original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

Overview

The series chronicles the complex history of the Vietnam War, beginning with the roots of French Indochina and the First Indochina War, through the escalating involvement of the United States under presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon. It details pivotal military engagements such as the Battle of Ia Drang, the Tet Offensive, and the Fall of Saigon. The narrative weaves together archival footage, photographs from sources like the Associated Press, and more than 100 contemporary interviews with witnesses from all sides, including veterans like John McCain and Tim O'Brien, as well as North Vietnamese Army regulars and Viet Cong guerrillas. It places the war within the broader context of the Cold War and its profound impact on American society, touching on the anti-war movement, the My Lai Massacre, and the political turmoil of the era.

Production

The production was a massive undertaking by Florentine Films and WETA-TV, requiring over a decade of research and filming. Directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, alongside writer Geoffrey C. Ward, conducted interviews across the United States and Vietnam. Cinematographer Buddy Squires captured contemporary landscapes in locations like Hanoi and the Mekong Delta. The producers collaborated with historical advisors such as Neil Sheehan and Marilyn B. Young to ensure accuracy. A significant creative choice was the commissioning of an original, atmospheric score by Nine Inch Nails members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, rather than using period music. The editing team, led by Tricia Reidy and Paul Barnes, sifted through thousands of hours of archival material from sources including U.S. National Archives and Vietnamese film units.

Episodes

The ten episodes are presented chronologically. The first episode, "Déjà Vu (1858-1961)," covers the period from French colonialism to the early advisory role of the United States. Middle episodes, such as "The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)" and "Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)," detail the major escalation and battles like Operation Rolling Thunder. "The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)" examines the expansion of the war into Cambodia and the protests at Kent State University. The final episode, "The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)," deals with the aftermath, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the war's legacy. Each episode integrates personal testimonies with analysis of key figures like Ho Chi Minh, Robert McNamara, and Walter Cronkite.

Reception

The series received widespread critical acclaim upon its broadcast on PBS. Reviewers from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Hollywood Reporter praised its depth, balance, and powerful storytelling. It was noted for giving substantial voice to North Vietnamese participants, offering a more complete picture than many previous documentaries. Some criticism focused on its length and the complexity of the historical narrative for casual viewers. The broadcast attracted significant viewership for public television and sparked renewed public discussion about the war's history and lessons, featuring in programming on networks like CNN and C-SPAN.

Awards and nominations

The series won numerous prestigious awards. It received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, with additional Emmys for sound editing and picture editing. It was also honored with a Peabody Award for its public service and educational value. The series was nominated for several Critics' Choice Documentary Awards and won the Television Critics Association award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information. The work of composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross was recognized with a nomination from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

Home media release

Following its television broadcast, the series was released on home media by PBS Distribution. It was made available as a DVD and Blu-ray box set, which included all ten episodes and special features such as behind-the-scenes footage and additional interviews. The series also became available for digital download and streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and the PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, greatly expanding its accessibility for educational and personal viewing.

Category:American television series Category:Documentary television series about the Vietnam War Category:PBS original programming Category:2010s American documentary television series