So it doesn’t look like we have a thread on this. Coming out in September unless we can get PBS shut down before that.
I have to say I was very skeptical about this because I assumed it would essentially be co-produced by Hanoi Public Radio. But I got the chance to see a 56-minute preview at an event at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall here in Portland with a discussion with Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Gen. Merrill McPeak, who was Chief of Staff of the Air Force and a fighter pilot during the war (and who has what seems like much of an episode devoted to him). And is an Oregonian. And I’ve gotta say, the footage they have dug up looks spectacular. Of course, everything is in the editing. But the way they cut the clips seemed like this won’t be as skewed as Karnow, maybe because time has provided perspective.
Anyway, this ended up sounding like a P&R post, which is unfortunate but I don’t want to re-write it. Bottom line: very excited to see what Ken has done.
Incidentally, a Michigan photographer who served in Vietnam and now lives in Oregon has some of his photos in the documentary, which were rediscovered after 44 years. You should check them out. They are spectacular.