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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Things Fall Apart (Explicit Language Version)
S1 E26 - 1h 27m
On the eve of the Tet holiday, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launch surprise attacks on cities and military bases throughout the south, suffering devastating losses but casting grave doubt on Johnson’s promise that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.” The president decides not to run again and the country is staggered by assassinations and unrest.
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Things Fall Apart (Vietnamese Subtitles)
S1 E16 - 1h 27m
On the eve of the Tet holiday, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launch surprise attacks on cities and military bases throughout the south, suffering devastating losses but casting grave doubt on Johnson’s promise that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.” The president decides not to run again and the country is staggered by assassinations and unrest.
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Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)
S1 E6 - 1h 27m
On the eve of the Tet holiday, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launch surprise attacks on cities and military bases throughout the south, suffering devastating losses but casting grave doubt on Johnson’s promise that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.” The president decides not to run again and the country is staggered by assassinations and unrest.
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This Is What We Do (Explicit Language Version)
S1 E25 - 1h 28m
American casualties and enemy body counts mount as Marines face deadly North Vietnamese ambushes and artillery south of the DMZ and Army units chase an elusive enemy in the central highlands. Hanoi lays plans for a massive surprise offensive, and the Johnson Administration reassures the American public that victory is in sight.
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This Is What We Do (Vietnamese Subtitles)
S1 E15 - 1h 28m
American casualties and enemy body counts mount as Marines face deadly North Vietnamese ambushes and artillery south of the DMZ and Army units chase an elusive enemy in the central highlands. Hanoi lays plans for a massive surprise offensive, and the Johnson Administration reassures the American public that victory is in sight.
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This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)
S1 E5 - 1h 28m
American casualties and enemy body counts mount as Marines face deadly North Vietnamese ambushes and artillery south of the DMZ and Army units chase an elusive enemy in the central highlands. Hanoi lays plans for a massive surprise offensive, and the Johnson Administration reassures the American public that victory is in sight.
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Resolve (Explicit Language Version)
S1 E24 - 1h 57m
Defying American airpower, North Vietnamese troops and materiel stream down the Ho Chi Minh Trail into the south, while Saigon struggles to “pacify the countryside.” As an antiwar movement builds back home, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and Marines discover that the war they are being asked to fight in Vietnam is nothing like their fathers’ war.
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Resolve (Vietnamese Subtitles)
S1 E14 - 1h 57m
Defying American airpower, North Vietnamese troops and materiel stream down the Ho Chi Minh Trail into the south, while Saigon struggles to “pacify the countryside.” As an antiwar movement builds back home, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and Marines discover that the war they are being asked to fight in Vietnam is nothing like their fathers’ war.
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Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)
S1 E4 - 1h 57m
Defying American airpower, North Vietnamese troops and materiel stream down the Ho Chi Minh Trail into the south, while Saigon struggles to “pacify the countryside.” As an antiwar movement builds back home, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and Marines discover that the war they are being asked to fight in Vietnam is nothing like their fathers’ war.
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The River Styx (Explicit Language Version)
S1 E23 - 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.
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The River Styx (Vietnamese Subtitles)
S1 E13 - 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.
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The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)
S1 E3 - 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.
Extras + Features
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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
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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
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The Fear Went Away | First Look
S1 - 30s
A navy pilot describes being shot down on his first combat mission. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
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Expanding the Draft | First Look
S1 - 30s
With the Vietnam War ramping up, college students begin to worry about the draft. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
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Vietnamese vs. Vietnamese | First Look
S1 - 30s
A N. Vietnamese soldier laments how the war pitted Vietnamese against each other. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS.
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Cowards or Heroes? | First Look
S1 - 30s
To escape a war they didn't believe in, some draftees went to Canada. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
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Combat is an Enormous High | First Look
S1 - 30s
A soldier describes the enormous high and enormous cost of being in combat. One of many perspectives in The Vietnam War: An Epic Event from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. #VietnamWarPBS
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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
Schedule
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Image
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. -
Image
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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