Probably would have been much more powerful at the time, though it's still very interesting. Davis does an excellent job with the editing, allowing opposing viewpoints to have their say, but never allows them to go unopposed. Some of the footage is very impressive, not just the war and deaths, but the more personal stuff that you'd never expect on film. The fact that the subjects allowed some of this to be filmed says as much about the effects of war as the content itself.

Davis' visual argument overwhelms rationality.This was the beginning of Red/Blue antagonism -- turning benighted patriotism against an opponent's humanity.

A bit cheap and ham-handed in places--but I guess that's easier to say now than 30 years ago. My favorites were Randy Floyd and William Marshall--also Clark Gifford was fun.

An upsetting documentary about a stupid war. Very hard to see that kid crying about his fathers death, and victimized kids. Especially when after the crying kid, you get a scene with an American saying Vietnamese don't value life as much as they do. WHAT THE FUCK!

A compilation (mishmash?) of Vietnam related footage. Some of it compelling, most of it though is not. If there was any sort of organization here, I didn't catch it.

Westmoreland's a dick, but I knew this already. Worth watching for some of the footage behind a couple of iconic Vietnam War pictures (Loan performing the execution, and the girl running along the road), although that can be obtained elsewhere. Also, there's a veteran/former POW who is pretty caught up in the whole propaganda thing, and watching him delivering his message to school children is amusing, if not a little scary.

Some of the scenes felt a little manipulative, such as the camera pulling back to reveal one of the speakers is in a wheelchair, or missing a limb, ect. It's very well edited however, and the parade scene at the end gives such a looming sense of menace.

The film contains graphic footage, which for all its violence is not nearly so unsettling as the interviews with brutalized American troops.

This will make you cry. It won't turn you into a peacenik hippy, but it will help you understand their point of view and wonderfully inform you at the same time.

Not especially illuminating to a modern viewer, but nonetheless thought-provoking, occasionally chilling, and ultimately disheartening.

A well-put together and, at times, emotionally unsettling look at the Vietnam War, that unfortunately has lost most of its punch through no fault of its own. The footage that I'm assuming was considered shocking and deeply troubling in 1974 just does not carry the same weight in 2010 when we're all used to seeing hijackings, murders, even war itself on basic cable. That being said, the scene's final 15 minutes documenting the wailing mourners at the Vietnamese funeral still packs quite a punch.

Davis presents many different viewpoints, but this is not at all objective. Loaded with great footage and insightful interviews ranging from heartbreaking to enraging. It's not a particularly unique message, but it is well done.

Anyone looking for a starter on how America came to the political divide it's at today, or how documentary film came to the place of liberal activism it is today will find it in this film. Incredibly well made, powerful and completely bias (although it's a bias I share, it's worth noting).

Obviously the footage speaks for itself. But editorially this IS propaganda.