Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I don't know if this thread belongs in geek media or OT, as it's media and history, so I posted it here.

Anyway, the documentary starts tonight on British TV. I shall watch it

Presumably, it has already been airing in the USA? Any good?

The Civil War documentary was first class, so if this is as half as good, I'll be happy.

I have not seen it yet, though what I have heard from friends is that it is of the usual high-quality you would expect from Mr. Burns.

I look forward to the time when I can see it myself.

Heard the podcast with the directors on Sam Harris. Seemed to be well researched and not skewed in any one political direction. I plan on buying it. Have not yet seen it yet though.

After watching the Civil War series again recently, I am surprised by the amount of Southern Apology in it.

I also recall being unimpressed by his The War series on WWII. It claimed to focus a bit more on the home front but it felt a bit lacking even in this humble focus.

That said, I will take any Ken Burns documentary over none at all!

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
I don't know if this thread belongs in geek media or OT, as it's media and history, so I posted it here.

Anyway, the documentary starts tonight on British TV. I shall watch it

Presumably, it has already been airing in the USA? Any good?

The Civil War documentary was first class, so if this is as half as good, I'll be happy.

Its pretty good. It has A LOT of perspectives from NVA, NV persons, and SV persons as well. This aspect is quite surprising. The initial history of Vietnam starting with France is also very interesting. Would have liked more on Japan, as IIRC the VM fought them as well (moral of the story, the Vietnamese have fought every invader or occupier, usually with similar tactics, back to the Mongols, and typically won).

I think it covers a bit for Kennedy/Ho Chi Minh's failings, tending to put actions upon subordinates.

So far no interview or discussion by Giap. I'd really love to have gotten that, perhaps someone reading one of his letters or orders.

I have watched every episode so far.

 Easy E wrote:
After watching the Civil War series again recently, I am surprised by the amount of Southern Apology in it.

It has been a VERY long time since I watched it, but are you referring to the fact that much of the content was - essentially - contemporary correspondence to/from participants of the conflict and family? Or do you mean that the message of the documentary was apologist?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Frazzled wrote:
Would have liked more on Japan, as IIRC the VM fought them as well (moral of the story, the Vietnamese have fought every invader or occupier, usually with similar tactics, back to the Mongols, and typically won).

Yep, the Viet Mihn did indeed wage war upon the Japanese, while also waging war upon the French Colonials. Once the Vichy administration of France began, they likewise administered the colonial govt. of French Indo-China under occupation of the Japanese.

Since this particular area of the globe was little more than a side-show unless you were an actual combatant in that area, I'm not surprised that there is not much information in the official history of the war... from an American perspective.

Scott wrote:

 Easy E wrote:
After watching the Civil War series again recently, I am surprised by the amount of Southern Apology in it.

It has been a VERY long time since I watched it, but are you referring to the fact that much of the content was - essentially - contemporary correspondence to/from participants of the conflict and family? Or do you mean that the message of the documentary was apologist?

I am referring mostly to Mr. Shelby Foote (A fine writer and historian; may he rest in peace) and his Confederate Romanticism. He could tell some really good yarns, but at the end of the day it was always trying to excuse the Confederacy for the rebellion. Mr. Foote received a great deal of air time since he was such an eloquent talking head on the subject, and his brand of Confederate Apologism left a bad taste in my mouth when I re-watched the last few times.

That being said, I hope the new Vietnam has some more quotes from Giap. The man was a military mind of some skill. Some could argue he was a military genius.

Ah, ok - thanks for clarifying. Clearly, I need to re-watch the Civil War series.

Planning on watching it this weekend for sure.

 Ouze wrote:
Planning on watching it this weekend for sure.

It's good. Very high quality. Very enjoyable.

It's one of history's greatest what ifs: would Jack Kennedy have kept troops in Vietnam had he not been assassinated?

I agree the civil war documentary was top notch. Haven't had a chance to watch this yet - I've already seen a lot of Vietnam documentaries though. Not sure anything new will be revealed here.

 Xenomancers wrote:
I agree the civil war documentary was top notch. Haven't had a chance to watch this yet - I've already seen a lot of Vietnam documentaries though. Not sure anything new will be revealed here.

I've got a good working knowledge of the Vietnam war (I'm no expert) and you're probably right - there probably won't be any revelations, but it's always good to history presented in a high quality note.

On a slightly OT note, in recent years, I've been focusing on the comparison between the American Revolution and the Vietnam war. There is a lot of similarities there.