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: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)
S1 Ep21 | 1h 25m 46s
After a century of French occupation, Vietnam emerges independent but divided.

Descriptive Audio: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)
S1 Ep22 | 1h 26m 53s
As a communist insurgency gains strength, JFK wrestles with US involvement in Vietnam.

Descriptive Audio: The River Styx (Jan. 1964-Dec. 1965)
S1 Ep23 | 1h 58m 22s
With South Vietnam near collapse, LBJ bombs the North and sends US troops to the South.

Descriptive Audio: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)
S1 Ep24 | 1h 57m 51s
US soldiers discover Vietnam is unlike their fathers’ war, as the antiwar movement grows.

Descriptive Audio: This Is What We Do (July 1967-Dec. 1967)
S1 Ep25 | 1h 28m 43s
President Johnson escalates the war while promising the public that victory is in sight.

Descriptive Audio: Things Fall Apart (Jan. 1968-July 1968)
S1 Ep26 | 1h 28m 13s
Shaken by the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, America seems to be coming apart.

Descriptive Audio: Veneer of Civilization (June '68-May '69)
S1 Ep27 | 1h 51m 20s
After chaos roils the Democratic Convention, Nixon, promising peace, wins the presidency.

Descriptive Audio: History of the World (April '69-May '70)
S1 Ep28 | 1h 52m 35s
Nixon withdraws troops but upon sending forces to Cambodia the antiwar movement reignites.

Descriptive Audio: Disrespectful Loyalty (May '70-March '73)
S1 Ep29 | 1h 52m 58s
South Vietnam fights alone as Nixon and Kissinger find a way out for America. POWs return.

Descriptive Audio: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)
S1 Ep30 | 1h 51m 22s
Saigon falls and the war ends. Americans & Vietnamese from all sides seek reconciliation.

A Mother's Worry | First Look
30s
A mother wonders how she'll be informed if her son is injured in combat.

Expanding the Draft | First Look
30s
With the Vietnam War ramping up, college students begin to worry about the draft.

How Am I Doing This? | First Look
30s
A GI talks about his fear of land mines, and the courage it took just to walk in Vietnam.

Fellow Warriors: Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam
20m 46s
John Musgrave is a Marine veteran who counsels active-duty soldiers and veterans.

PBS Previews: The Vietnam War | #1 Why Vietnam
3m 30s
The filmmakers discuss their decision to make a film about the Vietnam war era.

PBS Previews: The Vietnam War | #2 Sights & Sounds
8m 41s
The filmmakers discuss finding the imagery and recording the score for The Vietnam War.

PBS Previews: The Vietnam War | #3 In Country
4m 31s
The filmmakers discuss filming on location in Vietnam.

PBS Previews: The Vietnam War | #4 Unsettled History
2m 30s
The filmmakers discuss working with historical experts on the film.

PBS Previews: The Vietnam War | #5 Echoes Of Vietnam
5m 15s
The filmmakers discuss the impact of the Vietnam war era on the present day.

Behind the Scenes: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross on the Score
2m 17s
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross discuss composing the film's score.

Behind the Scenes: Consulting with Ken Burns & Lynn Novick
2m
Two of the film’s participants discuss working with the filmmakers.
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