- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,271
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Even though I lived through the era, I never truly understood the facts behind what occurred. For at least the earlier years, I was too young to understand.
Later, it became a social touchstone, and point of division, even among friends, equating in some ways to our current political situation.
Domestically, no matter on which side of the situation one's political feelings fell, it was such a confusing time, that for at least those who attempted to understand, respect had to be accorded both sides. Whether one joined the military, and supported the fight, were drafted, or fought to end the war at home, the only incorrect position was to disrespect those who served.
And that occurred far too often.
When I first heard about the ongoing production of this extraordinary, Ken Burns / Lynn Novick documentary, I tried to understand why 18 hours might be necessary. Even for limited series TV broadcast standards, that's a great deal of production time for a documentary.
To place this in perspective, The Civil War runs 700 minutes, The War 900, Jazz 1095, and Baseball 1380.
After viewing several episodes, what becomes obvious, it that due to the long history, and complexity of the subject, the time expended is necessary. Not only that, but here's no fat here.
The other point of interest is that this series has been in production for years, and was obviously taken extremely seriously.
This could have been the last time to interview those who were involved on the many sides.
Those extraordinary interviews represent every possible perspective. For those with an interest in the reality of history, the series is all encompassing, documentary nirvana.
Never taking sides, and clearly explaining every salient point about the long multi-national conflict, Florentine's presentation of The Vietnam War is that rarity, that can probably never be either equalled or bettered.
There is never that moment of "I wished they'd coverd this, or that aspect."
As a pure history lesson, it brings to mind, terrible political decisions made without the clarity of knowledge, understanding of history, or even the ability to view cinema (such as Lawrence of Arabia, when it comes to the Middle East), and learn from the experience
From a pure tech perspective, the selection and reproduction of both moving and still images, represent the highest possible quality.
Seeing some of this rare footage, brings to mind a phone call I received decades ago, from a "sweet, young thing" representing the CIA, and doing a search for documentary motion picture footage showing America's early efforts in the use of military guerrilla tactics. It was apparently to be used in some internal film.
What she requested was actual footage of Revolutionary War colonial troops hiding behind trees and walls, and taking shots at those damned Redcoats.
When I explained that there were no motion pictures dating back to the late 18th century, she went for second best...
"Anything then, from the War of 1812?'
There is truth to Winston Churchill's comment "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Worth the price of admission?
Absolutely!
The Vietnam War is a miraculous, and magnificent document.
Hopefully, people will view and learn from it.
http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.co...led-their-epic-documentary-vietnam-war/619362
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/op...e-america-under-trump/?utm_term=.df26fce75260
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/op...took-10-years-to-make/?utm_term=.b0ebc393c4db
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/op...ly-one-of-them-famous/?utm_term=.c1abca773942
https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/the-american-war/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.53da13f7c1c8
Image - 5
Audio - 5 (5.1)
Pass / Fail - Pass
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Later, it became a social touchstone, and point of division, even among friends, equating in some ways to our current political situation.
Domestically, no matter on which side of the situation one's political feelings fell, it was such a confusing time, that for at least those who attempted to understand, respect had to be accorded both sides. Whether one joined the military, and supported the fight, were drafted, or fought to end the war at home, the only incorrect position was to disrespect those who served.
And that occurred far too often.
When I first heard about the ongoing production of this extraordinary, Ken Burns / Lynn Novick documentary, I tried to understand why 18 hours might be necessary. Even for limited series TV broadcast standards, that's a great deal of production time for a documentary.
To place this in perspective, The Civil War runs 700 minutes, The War 900, Jazz 1095, and Baseball 1380.
After viewing several episodes, what becomes obvious, it that due to the long history, and complexity of the subject, the time expended is necessary. Not only that, but here's no fat here.
The other point of interest is that this series has been in production for years, and was obviously taken extremely seriously.
This could have been the last time to interview those who were involved on the many sides.
Those extraordinary interviews represent every possible perspective. For those with an interest in the reality of history, the series is all encompassing, documentary nirvana.
Never taking sides, and clearly explaining every salient point about the long multi-national conflict, Florentine's presentation of The Vietnam War is that rarity, that can probably never be either equalled or bettered.
There is never that moment of "I wished they'd coverd this, or that aspect."
As a pure history lesson, it brings to mind, terrible political decisions made without the clarity of knowledge, understanding of history, or even the ability to view cinema (such as Lawrence of Arabia, when it comes to the Middle East), and learn from the experience
From a pure tech perspective, the selection and reproduction of both moving and still images, represent the highest possible quality.
Seeing some of this rare footage, brings to mind a phone call I received decades ago, from a "sweet, young thing" representing the CIA, and doing a search for documentary motion picture footage showing America's early efforts in the use of military guerrilla tactics. It was apparently to be used in some internal film.
What she requested was actual footage of Revolutionary War colonial troops hiding behind trees and walls, and taking shots at those damned Redcoats.
When I explained that there were no motion pictures dating back to the late 18th century, she went for second best...
"Anything then, from the War of 1812?'
There is truth to Winston Churchill's comment "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Worth the price of admission?
Absolutely!
The Vietnam War is a miraculous, and magnificent document.
Hopefully, people will view and learn from it.
http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.co...led-their-epic-documentary-vietnam-war/619362
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/op...e-america-under-trump/?utm_term=.df26fce75260
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/op...took-10-years-to-make/?utm_term=.b0ebc393c4db
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/op...ly-one-of-them-famous/?utm_term=.c1abca773942
https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/the-american-war/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.53da13f7c1c8
Image - 5
Audio - 5 (5.1)
Pass / Fail - Pass
Very Highly Recommended
RAH