Letters home from vietnam also was released theatrically, on 49 screens in the united states and canada in september 1988, a rarity for any film that has been made for cable. Mcgowan theater, washington, dc based on the book of the same name, this 1987 emmy award winning hbo documentary features actors and actresses reading actual letters home from men and women serving in the vietnam war. Letters home from vietnam on thursday, january 18 at 7 p. Letters home from vietnam was first telecast april 3, 1988, over the hbo cable service. In the foreword, he reflects on his own tour of duty and his memories of the intensely personal, yet also. Themes from dear america, letters home from vietnam. In their letters there is a sense of wonder at this new world they have found, a world so different from the american cities and towns they left behind. The film is based on actual letters that were written by the men and women who served there. Consisting of 208 letters, poems, and journal entries written by 125 people, this book is a heart wrenching, first hand account of the personal experiences of soldiers both on and behind the front lines in vietnam, and. Decades after the official end of the vietnam war, dear america. Dear america allows us to witness the war firsthand through the eyes of the men and women who served in vietnam in this powerful collection of more than 200 poignant, honest, and very human letters.
Dear america letters home from vietnam 4 author notes as a collection of letters from hundreds of authors, it would be confusing and impractical, if not almost impossible, to provide notes on all of the authors. English text summary notes dear america letters home from. Bill couturie 84 min documentaryeducational antiwar although this film doesnt directly address libertarian objections to the vietnam warthe draft, the lack of a declaration of war, the irrelevance of the war to national security, etc. This documentary takes a deeper look into the letters that were. Using real letters written by american soldiers which can be read in the book along with many more and archive footage, the film creates a highly personal. This gripping documentary of the vietnam war begins with the kennedy administration and extends through the return of the first mias in the mid 1970s. By interweaving authentic letters from our men and women in southeast asia with chronological footage of events in nam and the world, the program evokes memories of the vietnam period with stunning. In this collection of more than 200 letters, they share their first impressions of the rigors of life in the bush, their longing for home and family, their emotions over the conduct of the war, and their ache at. The list of actors reading these letters is practically a whos who of hollywood, including. More than 200 letters home from vietnam era servicemen to family, friends, and others have been selected for publication in this volume about the most intimate thoughts of the soldiers who served in vietnam. Many citizens, especially young people, protested u. Dear america is a collection of letters back home from menand women in vietnam. They speak of patriotism, of confidence, of new friendships.
William dafoe, robert deniro, matt dillon, michael j. There was an abundance of insects that bothered the soldiers and was mentioned in the documentary multiple times. What reason do some soldiers give for fighting vietnam. Nearly forty years after the official end of the vietnam war, dear america allows us to witness the war firsthand through the eyes of the men and women who served in vietnam. In conjunction with its new exhibit remembering vietnam, the national archives will screen dear america.
The vietnam war was extremely controversial during this time. Letters home from vietnam vietnam veterans memorial commission dear america letters home from vietnam 1987 l 1of2. Without a clear purpose in vietnam, killing the enemy became the only goal. The most widely used military helicopter, the bell uh1. Bernard edelman, a vietnam veteran who was an associate producer of the film and also edited the companion book for the new york vietnam veterans memorial commission, will. By interweaving authentic letters from our men and women in southeast asia with chronological footage of events in nam and the world, the program evokes memories of the. Letters home from vietnam conveys the american experience in vietnam from the perspective of those who were there. Using the medium of letters sent home by american soldiers many of whom did not survive long thereafter, dear america takes only 84 minutes to relate. The common theme of each of the writers was their sense of duty to their country despite the hardships. Archive footage of the war and news coverage thereof, augment the firstperson narrative by men and women who were in the war, some of whom did. One of the greatest hardships faced daily by the soldiers was. Letters home from vietnam is a documentary wherein real letters from real soldiers in their own words regarding their wartime experiences to loved ones back home, are read by well known actors. Using real letters written by american soldiers which can be read in the book along with many more and archive footage, the film creates a highly personal experience of the vietnam war. Aug 20, 2011 24 videos play all letters home from vietnam andrew hunter sink argentinas carrier 1982 the secret british falklands war mission duration.
Here is the sad and beautiful countermelody of truth, audible at last, now that we have trashed the drums and cymbals of yet another senseless war, wrote novelist kurt vonnegut. In this collection of more than 200 letters, they share their first impressions of the rigors of life in the. Aug 14, 2011 24 videos play all letters home from vietnam andrew hunter what marine recruits go through in boot camp earning the title making marines on parris island duration. First of all he blamed jews, and communist, for germanys defeat in world. This program is presented in collaboration with the vietnam veterans of america. Real footage of the soldiers home movies plus tv news coverage of the war are also included to help make an impactful narrative. In this collection of more than 200 letters, they share their first impressions of the rigors of life in the bush, their longing for home and family, their. There were many daily hardships faced by soldiers in vietnam. Letters home from vietnam by bernard edelman, editor w. I was a teenageryoung adult while this war took place, and each letter reminded me of someone i knew.
When do the first american combat troops arrive in vietnam. Using the medium of letters sent home by american soldiers many of whom did not survive long thereafter, dear america takes only 84 minutes to relate america s 10year quagmire in southeast asia. What piece of legislation is passed in august 1964. Fox, mark harmon, sean penn, randy quaid, martin sheen, robin williams, and more. Letters home from vietnam, the hbo movie now being released theatrically, is the first film about vietnam to come to us free of bias, free of rhetoric. Based on the book of the same name, the program is devoted to poignant recitations of letters to and from american participants of the vietnam war. This download is intended to support the hbo film dear america. Stark and disturbing newsreel footage is combined with letters written by soldiers to loved ones at home and the music of the times.
Dear america letters home from vietnam part 1 8 youtube. It is a wonderful product for teachers to use when they are teaching a unit on the vietnam conflict. Letters home from vietnam was compiled entirely from the avalanche of letters and poems received by the commission for consideration to be included on the memorial. Letters home from vietnam pg, 1 hr 24 min documentary, special interest, television. In 1981, six years after the official end of the vietnam war, mayor edward. Letters home from vietnam allows readers to witness the war firsthand through the eyes of the men and women who served there. Due to the overwhelming response to the commissions request for letters, dear america. Letters home from vietnam tv movie 1987 dear america. The film was shown in theaters throughout europe and asia. It would be hard to imagine a more powerful documentary on the vietnam war than dear america. Letters home from vietnam was met with almost universal critical acclaim. Bernard edelman, a vietnam veteran who was an associate producer of the film and also edited the companion book for the new york vietnam veterans memorial commission, will introduce the screening, take questions afterwards, and also sign copies of the book.
On the soundtrack, we hear the voices of these soldiers, in the words they wrote home. Based on the book of the same name, this 1987 emmy award winning hbo documentary features actors and actresses reading actual letters home from men and women serving in the vietnam war. Some themes from dear america, letters home from vietnam. Letters home from vietnam was compiled from the letters and. The bestselling book and basis for the emmy awardwinning documentary letters read by robert deniro, robert downey jr. Letters home from vietnam is a 1987 american documentary film inspired by the anthology of the same title, directed by bill couturie in 1987. And then gradually the tone of their letters begins to change. France theatrical title dear america lettres du vietnam. Letters home from vietnam is a 1987 american documentary film inspired by the anthology.
Dear america questions dear america letters home from. Eloquent, gutwrenching letters from american men and women stationed in vietnam paint a poignant picture of wars agonies and joys. More than 25 years after the official end of the vietnam war, dear america allows readers to witness the war firsthand through the eyes of the men and women who served there. They had no comforts and were forced to live in harsh conditions most of the time that they were there. An overwhelmingly eloquent book of the purest and most simple writing on vietnam. In 1981, six years after the official end of the vietnam war, mayor edward koch of new york city appointed a task force of twentyseven leading citizens of the city to develop a framework for a fitting memorial to vietnam war veterans.
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