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Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War ,
Is a 26-part Canadian television documentary on the Vietnam War, was produced in 1980 by Michael Maclear. The series writer, Peter Arnett, was an Associated Press reporter in Vietnam from 1962 to 1975. Maclear visited Vietnam during the production of the series and had access to film material there. He was the first Western journalist allowed to visit that area since the end of the war.
The series aired in Canada on CBC Television, in the United States and in the United Kingdom on Channel 4. CBC aired only 18 of the episodes during the 1980-81 season because the series production was incomplete. The remaining episodes were broadcast during CBC's 1981-82 season. In the US, The documentary series was remastered and consolidated into 13 one hour long episodes By NBC for American television syndication. The Series was released in the UK during the 1984-85 season aired by Channel 4.
The series was released on videocassette format by Embassy Entertainment, in 1987 and Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment, in 1998. It won a National Education Association award for best world documentary. The series was released on DVD By Image Entertainment in 2000 and by Time-Life/Star Vista/VSC in 2013.
Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War is considered by many as the definitive documentary on The Vietnam conflict. Very broad in scope, some consider it too broad complaining that it doesn't go into enough depth to be considered as a great documentary. In my opinion considering the plethora of documentaries that have come out about Vietnam, this is the only one that give you complete coverage of that 30 year long war. From it's roots in the Japanese occupation of Indochina before WWII to final end in 1975, no other documentary explores the basis and genesis of the war like this one does. It doesn't give an opinion, but allows other to state their opinions so you the viewer can judge the validity of those opinions. The lack of commentary will turn some off, but I find it refreshing to hear those people who were actually there give their ideals and understandings. It helps you understand the rights and wrongs. Ho Chi Minh was asked after the Japanese surrender, by the US representative, what he wanted from the US government. His answer? NOTHING, given sitting down at the table with a copy of the US Constitution in his hands. An honest appraisal of the war of Vietnamese independence. If I had to recommend a Vietnam documentary to someone, I would recommend this one, the full 26 episode version, not the cut down 13 episode version.
This release comes from my rip of the 2013 CSC Video 4 disc DVD set, It is coded in x264 and AAC sound at 960x720p (4x3) resolution. It is in full color as shown on TV broadcast back in 1980-85 and I have done no alteration to the video or sound..
Frontline America
Aired, CBC, December 17, 1980; UK Channel 4, March 4, 1985
Episode Sixteen covers American society from late '67 forward. This period involves some of the most violent dissent in America since the Civil War. October '67, the march on the pentagon brings together the all the factions of the anti-war movement in a huge protest march. The administration views the protesters as political shills in support of communism. The peoples view was that we were indiscriminately bombing anyone and everyone, the television images every night of the destruction in Vietnam bring home the fact that what the government was saying about the war was not true. LBJ is increasingly intolerant of opposition viewpoints dismissing advisers that take an opposite view of his position. The black civil rights movement adopts the slogan "Hell No, We Wont Go" which is adopted by the peace movement altogether. The draft is now challenged by young Americans with many leaving the country to avoid military service in a war that is increasingly viewed as American government imperialism in action. Thousands of young choose prison rather than serve in the military in what is considered an unjust war. Tet brings the war home on TV every night. The only places LBJ gets support is the military bases, otherwise, he sees protests everywhere he goes, even overseas. The assassinations of MLK and Robert Kennedy spark riots in the anti-war movement, Washington mobilized 15,000 troops to put down the protests there. Which is also brought to the American public on TV every night. The war goes on for four more years, but Americans now have a general distrust of government that never existed before.
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