The Vietnam War

The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

With South Vietnam in chaos, hardliners in Hanoi seize the initiative and send combat troops to the south, accelerating the insurgency. Fearing Saigon’s collapse, President Johnson escalates America’s military commitment, authorizing sustained bombing of the north and deploying ground troops in the south.

The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

1h 57m

With South Vietnam in chaos, hardliners in Hanoi seize the initiative and send combat troops to the south, accelerating the insurgency. Fearing Saigon’s collapse, President Johnson escalates America’s military commitment, authorizing sustained bombing of the north and deploying ground troops in the south.

Previews + Extras

  • Clip: Episode 3 | The 9th Party Plenum: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | The 9th Party Plenum

    S1 E3 - 1m 32s

    In Hanoi, two North Vietnamese factions disagree about how best to proceed in the war. China and the Soviet Union offer conflicting advice.

  • Clip: Episode 3 | Binh Gia: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | Binh Gia

    S1 E3 - 1m 43s

    After North Vietnamese forces shoot down a U.S. helicopter, South Vietnamese Marines are sent in to retrieve the bodies of four American military advisors. En route to the crash site, they are attacked.

  • Clip: Episode 3 | Early Antiwar Movement: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | Early Antiwar Movement

    S1 E3 - 1m 22s

    While many Americans know little of the conflict in Vietnam, an antiwar movement begins to grow. Faculty at the University of Michigan organize an all-night discussion, dubbed a "teach-in," to promote debate on the subject.

  • Clip: Episode 3 | Ia Drang: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | Ia Drang

    S1 E3 - 1m 9s

    Soldiers discuss the psychological shock of witnessing death on the battlefield. Journalist Neil Sheehan talks about the courage he observed during the fighting in the Ia Drang Valley.

  • Clip: Episode 3 | Vietnam's Beauty: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | Vietnam's Beauty

    S1 E3 - 1m 22s

    Marines arrive in South Vietnam expecting to have to fight their way ashore. Instead they are greeted by young women offering flowers. A Marine discusses his surprise in discovering the beauty of the Vietnamese landscape.

  • Clip: Episode 3 | Reporters in Vietnam: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | Reporters in Vietnam

    S1 E3 - 1m 35s

    Despite the dangers, reporters flock to cover the conflict in Vietnam. One journalist discovers that it is not always possible to remain neutral reporting on war.

  • Clip: Episode 3 | What is Vietnam Worth to Me?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clip: Episode 3 | What is Vietnam Worth to Me?

    S1 E3 - 1m 5s

    In a taped conversation between President Johnson and National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy, the president expresses concern about the possibility of success in Vietnam.

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