Burns does it again. Clearly, concisely, and in a very engaging manner the first episode goes back 100 years to the root of the Vietnam conflict, outlaying all the players and driving forces on its march to America's growing involvement. From the narration by Peter Coyote to the score with Trent Reznor, which BTW goes much better than one would expect, along with first person narratives, arresting images and never seen documents, they all come together like cogs in this well oiled masterpiece of story telling. This may well be the most important documentary on this event to date.
6 Reviews
How It All Started
Hitchcoc18 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This was fascinating. We get to see the complexities of imperialism that led to the division of the country of French Indochina (later Vietnam). The French had their way with the people for a long time and were able to suck up the natural resources at the expense of a country of peasants. Ultimately, it was the Americans who began to fear the Communists (after World War II, the Russians went their own way and it was easy to believe that given a chance, all of Asia would be Communist and they would soon be in San Francisco). Ho Chi Minh began to form his party in the North and it is now history. Incredible footage that tells us how the war was provoked.
"In war, no one wins or loses." - North Vietnamese Army soldier Bao Ninh
classicsoncall2 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Anyone alive during America's involvement with the Vietnam War will be familiar with many of the names and locations that were made noteworthy during it's duration, but not many know of the prior, hundred year involvement with France that set the stage for this bloody and controversial conflict. This first episode in the Ken Burns series, "The Vietnam War", provides a nice time capsule recap of those years, beginning with the French conquest of Indochina, and the attack on the ancient Vietnamese city of Danang in 1858.
The documentary then takes a quick fast forward to 1941, when Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam after thirty years in exile, living in America, London and Paris, where he joined the French Socialist party. But after reading Lenin's anti-colonialist writings, he became a member of the Communist Party, even though he was more of a nationalist regarding the fate of his home country. Back home, he founded the Vietnam Independence League, better known as the Viet Minh.
On the military side, a leader emerged by the name of Vo Nguyen Giap, who developed a style of guerilla warfare that was difficult to defend against. What's ironic about America's position at this time, is that President Truman and the Office of Strategic Services provided backing for Ho Chi Minh in the way of arms and training. On September 2nd, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence from France, citing Thomas Jefferson as a role model for the Vietnamese people. Ho hoped America would side with him, but with France threatening to turn to Russia if we intervened, Truman demurred. With that, General Giap consolidated military power and eliminated opposition to the Communists.
The Viet Minh war against France began in December,1946, right as the Soviets acquired an atomic weapon and while Mao Zedong (it was Mao Tse Tung in those days) gained control in China with the Communists. Mao began providing support to Ho, thereby prompting President Truman to throw his support to France. By 1950, America was involved in another Asian hotbed of turmoil, namely Korea, and involvement in Vietnam amounted to a mere thirty five military advisers.
When the Korean War ended, France wanted to find a way to stop hostilities in Vietnam, but even though plans were made for both sides to negotiate, General Giap engineered a massive assault on French forces in March of 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. With French surrender, almost a million citizens of the North fled Communism and traveled South, where Ngo Dinh Diem became the new leader of a divided country. He hated both the French AND the Communists, and declaring himself President, he formed the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).
In North Vietnam, military leader Le Duan took a more aggressive approach than Ho Chi Minh to regain South Vietnam. His Viet Minh army moved south, with hostilities eventually claiming American lives. Giap's followers formed the National Liberation Front (NLF), with the Viet Minh dedicated to overthrowing Diem. America tagged the Viet Minh with a different name, these Communist traitors to the Vietnam nation came to be known as The Viet Cong.
The documentary then takes a quick fast forward to 1941, when Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam after thirty years in exile, living in America, London and Paris, where he joined the French Socialist party. But after reading Lenin's anti-colonialist writings, he became a member of the Communist Party, even though he was more of a nationalist regarding the fate of his home country. Back home, he founded the Vietnam Independence League, better known as the Viet Minh.
On the military side, a leader emerged by the name of Vo Nguyen Giap, who developed a style of guerilla warfare that was difficult to defend against. What's ironic about America's position at this time, is that President Truman and the Office of Strategic Services provided backing for Ho Chi Minh in the way of arms and training. On September 2nd, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence from France, citing Thomas Jefferson as a role model for the Vietnamese people. Ho hoped America would side with him, but with France threatening to turn to Russia if we intervened, Truman demurred. With that, General Giap consolidated military power and eliminated opposition to the Communists.
The Viet Minh war against France began in December,1946, right as the Soviets acquired an atomic weapon and while Mao Zedong (it was Mao Tse Tung in those days) gained control in China with the Communists. Mao began providing support to Ho, thereby prompting President Truman to throw his support to France. By 1950, America was involved in another Asian hotbed of turmoil, namely Korea, and involvement in Vietnam amounted to a mere thirty five military advisers.
When the Korean War ended, France wanted to find a way to stop hostilities in Vietnam, but even though plans were made for both sides to negotiate, General Giap engineered a massive assault on French forces in March of 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. With French surrender, almost a million citizens of the North fled Communism and traveled South, where Ngo Dinh Diem became the new leader of a divided country. He hated both the French AND the Communists, and declaring himself President, he formed the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).
In North Vietnam, military leader Le Duan took a more aggressive approach than Ho Chi Minh to regain South Vietnam. His Viet Minh army moved south, with hostilities eventually claiming American lives. Giap's followers formed the National Liberation Front (NLF), with the Viet Minh dedicated to overthrowing Diem. America tagged the Viet Minh with a different name, these Communist traitors to the Vietnam nation came to be known as The Viet Cong.
Déjà Vu (1858-1961)
Prismark1026 September 2017
Ken Burns makes another epic documentary giving an even handed analysis of the Vietnam War but here we get testimony from the Viet Cong fighters and diplomats.
America might had entered the war with good intentions but it found itself that it had muddled and blundered on.
The first episode examined French colonial rule of Indochina but it was not an history lesson as it weaved footage from the actual Vietnam war itself.
We hear about the man who went by the name of Ho Chi Minh, who hated the French and determined to have an independent Vietnam. He did not start out as an anti American. He once worked in America as well as the UK and in world war two his fighters the Viet Minh cooperated with the Americans against the Japanese.
However Ho Chi Minh had flirted with Marxism and after the end of the war, the French once again dominated Indo-China. Minh got support from both China and Russia.
The US government were fearful of a domino effect where south east Asia would fall into communism one by one and were slowly being pulled into events.
A thoroughly entertaining and informative opening episode. This promises to be a comprehensive documentary.
America might had entered the war with good intentions but it found itself that it had muddled and blundered on.
The first episode examined French colonial rule of Indochina but it was not an history lesson as it weaved footage from the actual Vietnam war itself.
We hear about the man who went by the name of Ho Chi Minh, who hated the French and determined to have an independent Vietnam. He did not start out as an anti American. He once worked in America as well as the UK and in world war two his fighters the Viet Minh cooperated with the Americans against the Japanese.
However Ho Chi Minh had flirted with Marxism and after the end of the war, the French once again dominated Indo-China. Minh got support from both China and Russia.
The US government were fearful of a domino effect where south east Asia would fall into communism one by one and were slowly being pulled into events.
A thoroughly entertaining and informative opening episode. This promises to be a comprehensive documentary.
A Great Start to a Detailed Look at the Vietnam War
alzeem-3495330 June 2023
The Vietnam War: Déjà Vu (1858-1961) is the first part of a ten-part documentary by famous filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. This episode does a very good job of getting ready to explore one of the most dramatic and debated times in American history.
"Déjà Vu (1858-1961)" carefully traces the early parts of the Vietnam war. It gives important historical information. The story begins with French taking control in 1858, goes through the tough times under colonial rule, and stops in 1961, right when America is about to get heavily involved in the area.
The episode uses lots of old footage, interviews, and storytelling to make a fascinating and very human story. It does a good job of setting up the understanding of how complicated the Vietnam War was. It includes the viewpoints of Vietnamese people, on both sides of the fight, along with American viewpoints. This gives a well-rounded and complete picture of what happened leading up to the war.
Ken Burns and Lynn Novick have made a documentary that is full of information and stirs up feelings. By including many viewpoints, they highlight how complicated the Vietnam War was and make viewers face up to the serious and long-lasting effects of the conflict.
"Déjà Vu (1858-1961)" is a brave start to what looks like it will be a gripping journey through the Vietnam War. It is a fearless look at what led to the conflict and what war costs people. Whether you're very interested in history or just watch sometimes, this episode is a good watch that sets the mood for the rest of the series.
"Déjà Vu (1858-1961)" carefully traces the early parts of the Vietnam war. It gives important historical information. The story begins with French taking control in 1858, goes through the tough times under colonial rule, and stops in 1961, right when America is about to get heavily involved in the area.
The episode uses lots of old footage, interviews, and storytelling to make a fascinating and very human story. It does a good job of setting up the understanding of how complicated the Vietnam War was. It includes the viewpoints of Vietnamese people, on both sides of the fight, along with American viewpoints. This gives a well-rounded and complete picture of what happened leading up to the war.
Ken Burns and Lynn Novick have made a documentary that is full of information and stirs up feelings. By including many viewpoints, they highlight how complicated the Vietnam War was and make viewers face up to the serious and long-lasting effects of the conflict.
"Déjà Vu (1858-1961)" is a brave start to what looks like it will be a gripping journey through the Vietnam War. It is a fearless look at what led to the conflict and what war costs people. Whether you're very interested in history or just watch sometimes, this episode is a good watch that sets the mood for the rest of the series.
Too jumpy with unnecessarily LOUD transitions
cytothersothers3 April 2020
For a beginner in history like me, I was hoping to have a more straight-forward and simple explanation of what had happened.
I do not see the need in jumping back and forth from the 1940s and the 1960s with the very unnecessary way-too-loud transition noise EVERY SINGLE TIME. We are not watching a horror movie here.
I prefer the cinematography and style of the World War II in colours much more.
Anyhow it is very informative.
I prefer the cinematography and style of the World War II in colours much more.
Anyhow it is very informative.
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