Vietnam: The War That Changed America

Overall a good documentary and on par with previous Vietnam docus. I however find the rough voice of Ethan Hawke not fitting for the narrator role. At times it was tough to hear what he was saying over the battle noise and footage and this for me was the low point of the documentary but nothing personal against him. Just a bad choice. The Vietnam War (2017) in my humble opinion was far more in depth and a better edit of historical timeline supported by footage. What I did love was the imagery, film and then and now of the featured storytellers who were there and lived through the good times and the bad times. Worth a watch to remind us all War is not an option.

Watched this series and it brought back many memories. I was there in March 1975 in Vung Tau. Say what you want about the US involvement in Vietnam. We really had no business being involved as we were. We did not take our lessons from the French. But that aside, I followed my orders (Navy) and served the best I could. Been up and down the Vietnamese coast and up rivers. There has been at least one good series about the Vietnamese War before this one. This current one brought more personal aspects with people who were there and 50 years later. Loved both sides (VC and S. Vietnamese) interviews. Both did what they believed was honorable. Well worth watching. Thanks producers. They're correct in that the Vietnam War still impacts us these many years later.

From the moment the trailer begins, it is clear that Vietnam: The War That Changed America is more than just an historical account-it's an emotional exploration of the war's human cost. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and deeply personal testimonies, the series provides a nuanced portrait of the soldiers, civilians, and activists who experienced the war firsthand. The inclusion of long-awaited reunions between former soldiers, as well as perspectives from both American and Vietnamese individuals, adds an element of reconciliation and raw authenticity rarely seen in war documentaries.

Apple TV+'s compelling documentary Vietnam: The War That Changed America is a gripping six-part series, narrated by Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke, that marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, offering an unfiltered look at one of the most divisive conflicts in American history.

One of the documentary's greatest strengths is its wide array of voices. From Bill Broyles, a former Marine turned Hollywood screenwriter, to Hilary Brown, ABC News' first female foreign correspondent, and Melvin Pender, an Olympic gold medalist who served between deployments, the series provides a multifaceted look at the war's impact. Even more striking are the perspectives of Viet Cong fighters and Vietnamese civilians, offering a crucial counterpoint to the American narrative. These voices help construct a more complete and deeply humanized understanding of the conflict. Director Rob Coldstream and producer Caroline Marsden craft the series with a level of detail and sensitivity that elevates it beyond a simple historical retelling. The visuals, drawn from over 1,100 hours of archival footage, immerse viewers in the reality of war, while Ethan Hawke's narration provides a steady, reflective tone that balances the intensity of the material. What makes Vietnam: The War That Changed America truly stand out is its ability to connect past and present. The war left scars not only on those who fought but on the entire American political and cultural landscape.

This series really shows how the Vietnam War reshaped the United States in ways still felt today, from attitudes toward military intervention to the power of protest movements. For history enthusiasts, war documentary fans, or anyone seeking a deeply human look at one of the most defining conflicts of the 20th century, Vietnam: The War That Changed America is essential viewing.

I give Vietnam: The War That Changed America 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It premieres on Apple TV+ on January 31, 2025. By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST!

As Episode 1 of "Vietnam: The War That Changed America" (2025 release; 6 episodes ranging from 38 to 47 min) opens, narrator Ethan Hawke that 2025 narks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war, and the Vietnam war was the first to so openly provide press (both written and filmed) access. We then go to "March 9, 1965" when there are 75,000 US combat troops, many just kids straight out of high school in Vietnam, fighting against the Viet Con from the north. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this documentary mini-series provides a concise overview of what happened in the Vietnam war, at that time the longest war ever in US history playing out over 4 US presidents. I cam to this country from Belgium in the early 80s when I was in my early 20s, and my knowledge of the Vietnam war was rather limited to what I saw on TV or in the movies. In other words: a lot of holes which I feel this mini-series does an excellent job in filling. The documentary makers interview a lot of people who lived through it, both from the US and from the Vietnamese (north and south). It is now clear that the US could not and would not win this war, even with 500,000 soldiers in Vietnam at one point. I also must mention the infamous scene towards the very end when helicopters were pushed into the ocean from the air carrier. I had never understood what was happening. Well, this documentary explains all of the context of what was going on at that time. And I now finally understand it.

"Vietnam: The War That Changed America" started streaming on Apple TV in the last week of so. I watched a;; 6 episodes over 2 evenings. This mini-series is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little too generous to me. All that aside, if you have an interest in the Vietnam war or in this country's history, I'd readily suggest you check it out and draw your own conclusion.

The only flaw this documentary had was that it was not longer. What an absolute incredible documentary. From showing detailed footage to a detailed, well driven veteran narrative. After watching this i really wanted to know more about the stories the vets told while interviewed. In my opinion they should have filled out the interviews, making them much longer. Most if not all interviews were very touching and well laid out. Some interviews was also combined with footage where the interviewed veteran actually was inte combat footage, which was very interesting. I can recommend this documentary series to any one interested in the Vietnam war, no matter how much you already think you know about it.