History

The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War is a ten-part, 18-hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. In an immersive 360-degree narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. The Vietnam War features testimony from nearly 100 witnesses.

The Weight of Memory (Explicit Language Version)

1h 51m

While the Watergate scandal rivets Americans’ attention and forces President Nixon to resign, the Vietnamese continue to savage one another in a brutal civil war. When hundreds of thousands of North Vietnamese troops pour into the south, Saigon descends rapidly into chaos and collapses. For the next 40 years, Americans and Vietnamese from all sides search for healing and reconciliation.

Episodes

  • The Weight of Memory (Explicit Language Version): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Weight of Memory (Explicit Language Version)

    S1 E30 - 1h 51m

    While the Watergate scandal rivets Americans’ attention and forces President Nixon to resign, the Vietnamese continue to savage one another in a brutal civil war. When hundreds of thousands of North Vietnamese troops pour into the south, Saigon descends rapidly into chaos and collapses. For the next 40 years, Americans and Vietnamese from all sides search for healing and reconciliation.

  • The Weight of Memory (Vietnamese Subtitles): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Weight of Memory (Vietnamese Subtitles)

    S1 E20 - 1h 50m

    While the Watergate scandal rivets Americans’ attention and forces President Nixon to resign, the Vietnamese continue to savage one another in a brutal civil war. When hundreds of thousands of North Vietnamese troops pour into the south, Saigon descends rapidly into chaos and collapses. For the next 40 years, Americans and Vietnamese from all sides search for healing and reconciliation.

  • The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

    S1 E10 - 1h 50m

    While the Watergate scandal rivets Americans’ attention and forces President Nixon to resign, the Vietnamese continue to savage one another in a brutal civil war. When hundreds of thousands of North Vietnamese troops pour into the south, Saigon descends rapidly into chaos and collapses. For the next 40 years, Americans and Vietnamese from all sides search for healing and reconciliation.

  • A Disrespectful Loyalty (Explicit Language Version): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Disrespectful Loyalty (Explicit Language Version)

    S1 E29 - 1h 53m

    South Vietnamese forces fighting on their own in Laos suffer a terrible defeat. Massive U.S. airpower makes the difference in halting an unprecedented North Vietnamese offensive. After being re-elected in a landslide, Nixon announces Hanoi has agreed to a peace deal. American prisoners of war will finally come home – to a bitterly divided country.

  • A Disrespectful Loyalty (Vietnamese Subtitles): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Disrespectful Loyalty (Vietnamese Subtitles)

    S1 E19 - 1h 52m

    South Vietnamese forces fighting on their own in Laos suffer a terrible defeat. Massive U.S. airpower makes the difference in halting an unprecedented North Vietnamese offensive. After being re-elected in a landslide, Nixon announces Hanoi has agreed to a peace deal. American prisoners of war will finally come home – to a bitterly divided country.

  • A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

    S1 E9 - 1h 52m

    South Vietnamese forces fighting on their own in Laos suffer a terrible defeat. Massive U.S. airpower makes the difference in halting an unprecedented North Vietnamese offensive. After being re-elected in a landslide, Nixon announces Hanoi has agreed to a peace deal. American prisoners of war will finally come home – to a bitterly divided country.

  • The History of the World (Explicit Language Version): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The History of the World (Explicit Language Version)

    S1 E28 - 1h 52m

    With morale plummeting in Vietnam, President Nixon begins withdrawing American troops. As news breaks of an unthinkable massacre committed by American soldiers, the public debates the rectitude of the war, while an incursion into Cambodia reignites antiwar protests with tragic consequences.

  • The History of the World (Vietnamese Subtitles): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The History of the World (Vietnamese Subtitles)

    S1 E18 - 1h 51m

    With morale plummeting in Vietnam, President Nixon begins withdrawing American troops. As news breaks of an unthinkable massacre committed by American soldiers, the public debates the rectitude of the war, while an incursion into Cambodia reignites antiwar protests with tragic consequences.

  • The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

    S1 E8 - 1h 52m

    With morale plummeting in Vietnam, President Nixon begins withdrawing American troops. As news breaks of an unthinkable massacre committed by American soldiers, the public debates the rectitude of the war, while an incursion into Cambodia reignites antiwar protests with tragic consequences.

  • The Veneer of Civilization (Explicit Language Version): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Veneer of Civilization (Explicit Language Version)

    S1 E27 - 1h 51m

    Public support for the war declines, and American men of draft age face difficult decisions and wrenching moral choices. After police battle with demonstrators in the streets of Chicago, Richard Nixon wins the presidency, promising law and order at home and peace overseas. In Vietnam, the war goes on and soldiers on all sides witness terrible savagery and unflinching courage.

  • The Veneer of Civilization (Vietnamese Subtitles): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Veneer of Civilization (Vietnamese Subtitles)

    S1 E17 - 1h 50m

    Public support for the war declines, and American men of draft age face difficult decisions and wrenching moral choices. After police battle with demonstrators in the streets of Chicago, Richard Nixon wins the presidency, promising law and order at home and peace overseas. In Vietnam, the war goes on and soldiers on all sides witness terrible savagery and unflinching courage.

  • The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

    S1 E7 - 1h 50m

    Public support for the war declines, and American men of draft age face difficult decisions and wrenching moral choices. After police battle with demonstrators in the streets of Chicago, Richard Nixon wins the presidency, promising law and order at home and peace overseas. In Vietnam, the war goes on and soldiers on all sides witness terrible savagery and unflinching courage.

Extras + Features

  • Profound Sense of Humanity | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Profound Sense of Humanity | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A Viet Cong soldier realizes his American enemy is not unlike his own countrymen. One of many perspectives on The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • Save Us | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Save Us | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A Vietnamese woman learns that the powerful American military is coming to her country. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • Shot Right Here | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Shot Right Here | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A South Vietnamese soldier is shot but fights on. One of many perspectives on The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • Everybody's Special | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Everybody's Special | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A Marine phones his mother when he doesn't think he'll make it out of Vietnam alive. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • A Mother's Worry | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Mother's Worry | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A mother wonders how she'll be informed if her son is injured in combat. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • At Great Cost | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    At Great Cost | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A N. Vietnamese citizen remembers the slogans inspiring how his the people to sacrifice - at great cost. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • Social Change Was Coming | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Social Change Was Coming | First Look

    S1 - 20s

    The Vietnam era was marked by protests, not just for and against the war, but also for social change. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

  • Men Like This | First Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Men Like This | First Look

    S1 - 30s

    A decorated Army veteran talks about the young men who fought the Vietnam War. One of many perspectives on The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS

Schedule

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