This episode of "The American Experience" uses a very unusual manner to look at the Vietnam War. Instead of a traditional method, it explores two different events on opposite sides of the world that occurred during a two day period in October, 1967. One was an ambush and massacre of American troops in Vietnam--marking a significant defeat for our troops. The other was a student protest at the University of Wisconsin that turned very violent. Both together marked significant events that pushed the American public against the war, as up until then the anti-war voices had been a significant minority. Now, following these events, the momentum started moving in the other direction--questioning why we were there in the first place.
Within the show, there were several fascinating portions. One was focusing on an army wife who came to hate Vietnam and how this broke up their marriage. Another was interviewing not just American vets, but Viet Cong vets who had taken part in the battle. It was also pretty wild listening to some of the Madison Wisconsin cops today who STILL sound as if they were doing the right thing in beating the student protesters. All in all, a VERY compelling and well-crafted episode and one that is not just a rehash of facts in the standard manner.
Within the show, there were several fascinating portions. One was focusing on an army wife who came to hate Vietnam and how this broke up their marriage. Another was interviewing not just American vets, but Viet Cong vets who had taken part in the battle. It was also pretty wild listening to some of the Madison Wisconsin cops today who STILL sound as if they were doing the right thing in beating the student protesters. All in all, a VERY compelling and well-crafted episode and one that is not just a rehash of facts in the standard manner.