History

The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War is a ten-part, 18-hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. In an immersive 360-degree narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. The Vietnam War features testimony from nearly 100 witnesses.

Descriptive Audio: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

1h 51m

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

  • Descriptive Audio: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Descriptive Audio: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

    S1 E30 - 1h 51m

    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.

  • The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

    S1 E10 - 1h 51m

    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.

  • Descriptive Audio: Disrespectful Loyalty (May '70-March '73): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Descriptive Audio: Disrespectful Loyalty (May '70-March '73)

    S1 E29 - 1h 52m

    South Vietnamese forces fighting on their own in Laos suffer a terrible defeat. Massive U.S. airpower makes the difference in halting an unprecedented North Vietnamese offensive. After being re-elected in a landslide, Nixon announces Hanoi has agreed to a peace deal. American prisoners of war will finally come home – to a bitterly divided country.

  • A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

    S1 E9 - 1h 52m

    South Vietnamese forces fighting on their own in Laos suffer a terrible defeat. Massive U.S. airpower makes the difference in halting an unprecedented North Vietnamese offensive. After being re-elected in a landslide, Nixon announces Hanoi has agreed to a peace deal. American prisoners of war will finally come home – to a bitterly divided country.

  • Descriptive Audio: History of the World (April '69-May '70): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Descriptive Audio: History of the World (April '69-May '70)

    S1 E28 - 1h 52m

    With morale plummeting in Vietnam, President Nixon begins withdrawing American troops. As news breaks of an unthinkable massacre committed by American soldiers, the public debates the rectitude of the war, while an incursion into Cambodia reignites antiwar protests with tragic consequences.

  • The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

    S1 E8 - 1h 52m

    With morale plummeting in Vietnam, President Nixon begins withdrawing American troops. As news breaks of an unthinkable massacre committed by American soldiers, the public debates the rectitude of the war, while an incursion into Cambodia reignites antiwar protests with tragic consequences.

  • Descriptive Audio: Veneer of Civilization (June '68-May '69): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Descriptive Audio: Veneer of Civilization (June '68-May '69)

    S1 E27 - 1h 51m

    Public support for the war declines, and American men of draft age face difficult decisions and wrenching moral choices. After police battle with demonstrators in the streets of Chicago, Richard Nixon wins the presidency, promising law and order at home and peace overseas. In Vietnam, the war goes on and soldiers on all sides witness terrible savagery and unflinching courage.

  • The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

    S1 E7 - 1h 51m

    Public support for the war declines, and American men of draft age face difficult decisions and wrenching moral choices. After police battle with demonstrators in the streets of Chicago, Richard Nixon wins the presidency, promising law and order at home and peace overseas. In Vietnam, the war goes on and soldiers on all sides witness terrible savagery and unflinching courage.

  • Descriptive Audio: Things Fall Apart (Jan. 1968-July 1968): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Descriptive Audio: Things Fall Apart (Jan. 1968-July 1968)

    S1 E26 - 1h 28m

    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.

  • Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

    S1 E6 - 1h 28m

    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.

  • Descriptive Audio: This Is What We Do (July 1967-Dec. 1967): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Descriptive Audio: This Is What We Do (July 1967-Dec. 1967)

    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.

  • This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

Extras + Features

  • Fellow Warriors: Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fellow Warriors: Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam

    S1 - 20m 46s

    John Musgrave is a Marine veteran who served at Con Thien in Vietnam where he was wounded. After returning home, Musgrave struggled with survivor’s guilt and depression. Today, he counsels active-duty soldiers and other veterans who are having trouble adjusting to life after their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Episode Ten | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Ten | Preview

    S1 E10 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • Episode Nine | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Nine | Preview

    S1 E9 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • Episode Eight | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Eight | Preview

    S1 E8 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • Episode Seven | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Seven | Preview

    S1 E7 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • Episode Six | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Six | Preview

    S1 E6 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • The Reviews Are In: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Reviews Are In

    S1 - 30s

    America's top critics are unanimous in their praise for The Vietnam War. Find out what they're saying about Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s ten-part, 18-hour documentary series. #VietnamWarPBS

  • Episode Five | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Five | Preview

    S1 E5 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • Episode Four | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Four | Preview

    S1 E4 - 30s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • Episode Three | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Three | Preview

    S1 E3 - 20s

    In an immersive narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never-before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

  • The Diaspora: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Diaspora

    S1 E10 - 50s

    A Vietnamese-American comments on being displaced from his country, and his desire to go back there to live out the last years of his life.

  • Some Peace: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Some Peace

    S1 E10 - 2m 33s

    Seeking reconciliation and peace, veterans from Vietnam and the United States meet in Vietnam years after the war.

Schedule

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