The Weight of Memory (Explicit Language Version)
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
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Riding the Tiger (Explicit Language Version)
S1 E22 - 1h 26m
President Kennedy inspires idealistic young Americans to serve their country and wrestles with how deeply to get involved in South Vietnam. As the increasingly autocratic Diem regime faces a growing communist insurgency and widespread Buddhist protests, a grave political crisis unfolds.
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Riding the Tiger (Vietnamese Subtitles)
S1 E12 - 1h 26m
President Kennedy inspires idealistic young Americans to serve their country and wrestles with how deeply to get involved in South Vietnam. As the increasingly autocratic Diem regime faces a growing communist insurgency and widespread Buddhist protests, a grave political crisis unfolds.
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Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)
S1 E2 - 1h 26m
President Kennedy inspires idealistic young Americans to serve their country and wrestles with how deeply to get involved in South Vietnam. As the increasingly autocratic Diem regime faces a growing communist insurgency and widespread Buddhist protests, a grave political crisis unfolds.
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Déjà Vu (Explicit Language Version)
S1 E21 - 1h 25m
After a long and brutal war, Vietnamese revolutionaries led by Ho Chi Minh end nearly a century of French colonial occupation. With the Cold War intensifying, Vietnam is divided in two at Geneva. Communists in the north aim to reunify the country, while America supports Ngo Dinh Diem’s untested regime in the south.
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Déjà Vu (Vietnamese Subtitles)
S1 E11 - 1h 25m
After a long and brutal war, Vietnamese revolutionaries led by Ho Chi Minh end nearly a century of French colonial occupation. With the Cold War intensifying, Vietnam is divided in two at Geneva. Communists in the north aim to reunify the country, while America supports Ngo Dinh Diem’s untested regime in the south.
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Déjà Vu (1858-1961)
S1 E1 - 1h 25m
After a long and brutal war, Vietnamese revolutionaries led by Ho Chi Minh end nearly a century of French colonial occupation. With the Cold War intensifying, Vietnam is divided in two at Geneva. Communists in the north aim to reunify the country, while America supports Ngo Dinh Diem's untested regime in the south.
Extras + Features
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Official Trailer | No Single Truth
S1 - 20s
Watch an official trailer for The Vietnam War. #VietnamWarPBS
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Behind the Scenes: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross on the Score
S1 - 2m 17s
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross discuss composing the film's score.
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Not Since The Civil War | First Look
S1 - 30s
A GI recalls how the Vietnam War divided American society. One of many perspectives on The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
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How Am I Doing This? | First Look
S1 - 30s
A GI talks about his fear of land mines, and the courage it took just to walk in Vietnam. One of many perspectives on The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
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Christmas Bombing
S1 - 1m 59s
President Nixon authorizes U.S. forces to launch airstrikes on North Vietnam in December, 1972. #VietnamWarPBS
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Finishing School
S1 E5 - 1m 1s
A Marine contends that a dark side of human nature may be in us and that we are capable of tremendous violence.
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Extended Look
S1 - 2m
Ken Burns & Lynn Novick tell the story behind their most ambitious film to date.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Schedule
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The Vietnam War
Things Fall Apart
Saturday
May 3
1 Hour 30 Minutes
Shaken by the violence of the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, Americans begin to doubt President Lyndon B. Johnson's promise that victory is near; Johnson decides not to seek re-election. -
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The Vietnam War
Things Fall Apart
Sunday
May 4
1 Hour 29 Minutes
Shaken by the violence of the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, Americans begin to doubt President Lyndon B. Johnson's promise that victory is near; Johnson decides not to seek re-election. -
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The Vietnam War
The Veneer of Civilization
Saturday
May 10
2 Hours
Draft-age Americans wrestle with their choices; Richard Nixon narrowly wins the presidential election; soldiers on all sides of the conflict witness savagery and courage. -
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The Vietnam War
The Veneer of Civilization
Sunday
May 11
2 Hours
Draft-age Americans wrestle with their choices; Richard Nixon narrowly wins the presidential election; soldiers on all sides of the conflict witness savagery and courage.
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