Dear America - Letters Home from Vietnam
starring: Tom Berenger, Ellen Burstyn, J. Kenneth Campbell, Richard Chaves, Josh Cruze
directed by: Bill Couturié
directed by: Bill Couturié
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Product Description:
Studio: Hbo Home VideoRelease Date: 11/01/2005Rating: Pg
Amazon.com:
All the confusion, pain, despair, and even hope of the men and women who served in Vietnam is captured in Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. Read by dozens of actors such as Harvey Keitel, Matt Dillon, and Kathleen Turner, these letters show a more human story of the war than we see in most media outlets and reveal real people in real situations trying to explain or understand. The footage, some newsreel, some shot by the servicemen and servicewomen, reveals a tension between the soldiers' actual experiences and the presentation their loved ones received from television. The soundtrack weaves the songs of the 1960s with the readings to create a compelling aural snapshot of the time, which complements the video exceptionally well. While it's not a "feel-good" movie, the viewer does get a sense of the indestructibility of human dreams. --Rob Lightner
Studio: Hbo Home VideoRelease Date: 11/01/2005Rating: Pg
Amazon.com:
All the confusion, pain, despair, and even hope of the men and women who served in Vietnam is captured in Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. Read by dozens of actors such as Harvey Keitel, Matt Dillon, and Kathleen Turner, these letters show a more human story of the war than we see in most media outlets and reveal real people in real situations trying to explain or understand. The footage, some newsreel, some shot by the servicemen and servicewomen, reveals a tension between the soldiers' actual experiences and the presentation their loved ones received from television. The soundtrack weaves the songs of the 1960s with the readings to create a compelling aural snapshot of the time, which complements the video exceptionally well. While it's not a "feel-good" movie, the viewer does get a sense of the indestructibility of human dreams. --Rob Lightner
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - I was there as well.
When I saw this movie for the first time(I've seen it only once), I watched it because it was next in a long line of Vietnam movies that never depicted the war as it was and I watched them all.This movie did. My family and friends know I am a Vietnam combat veteran and when I recommended this movie as the only movie to see, they did so.The Oliver Stone's of the world will never get it right because they have to make a buck.
I carried a "prick" 25 for a year in an infantry squad/platoon ... Read More
Rating: - Powerful and Relevant
I've watched this video documentary many times over the last twenty years. It is very powerful, seeing the footage from Vietnam coupled with hearing the stories of soldiers and Marines as told through letters sent home. The stories are gripping, moving, harsh, honest, compelling, vivid. On top of this, the documentary is well-constructed and quite engaging, flowing smoothly to music from the period (Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, etc.). Not only is this ... Read More
Rating: - VIETNAM DVD
I JUST FINISHED WATCHING DEAR AMERICA: LETTERS HOME FROM VIETNAM AND THIS IS THE BEST FILM ABOUT VIETNAM....EVER!!!!PLEASE BUY THIS DVD TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPEN "IN COUNTRY" OVER THRITY-FIVE YEARS AGO.....OUTSTANDING FILM AND PLEASE CREDIT HBO FOR SHOWING THIS HISTORY ON THEIR TELEVISION PROGRAMMING BACK IN '87....GREAT JOB!!!!
Rating: - Great DVD
I was pleasantly surprised when this movie finally came out on DVD.I am a Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and this movie really hits home.The letters, which were sent home by various Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen from Vietnam, are read by actors that were popular in the late 80's and video is added to the narraration, along with still photos of some of the letter writers.It is an outstanding movie, highly recommended.
Rating: - Great Film, Super Educational Tool, but....
I've been teaching US history since the late 80s and have used this film since 96 or so. My only gripe is that we can't get the original full-length version. What we are able to buy has been cut by over 30 minutes and leaves some big gaps in the story. Still, I give this a hearty "two thumbs up" as the best in its class. The students are always riveted to it. Not a peep.
- I was there as well.When I saw this movie for the first time(I've seen it only once), I watched it because it was next in a long line of Vietnam movies that never depicted the war as it was and I watched them all.This movie did. My family and friends know I am a Vietnam combat veteran and when I recommended this movie as the only movie to see, they did so.The Oliver Stone's of the world will never get it right because they have to make a buck.
I carried a "prick" 25 for a year in an infantry squad/platoon ... Read More
- Powerful and RelevantI've watched this video documentary many times over the last twenty years. It is very powerful, seeing the footage from Vietnam coupled with hearing the stories of soldiers and Marines as told through letters sent home. The stories are gripping, moving, harsh, honest, compelling, vivid. On top of this, the documentary is well-constructed and quite engaging, flowing smoothly to music from the period (Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, etc.). Not only is this ... Read More
- VIETNAM DVDI JUST FINISHED WATCHING DEAR AMERICA: LETTERS HOME FROM VIETNAM AND THIS IS THE BEST FILM ABOUT VIETNAM....EVER!!!!PLEASE BUY THIS DVD TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPEN "IN COUNTRY" OVER THRITY-FIVE YEARS AGO.....OUTSTANDING FILM AND PLEASE CREDIT HBO FOR SHOWING THIS HISTORY ON THEIR TELEVISION PROGRAMMING BACK IN '87....GREAT JOB!!!!
- Great DVDI was pleasantly surprised when this movie finally came out on DVD.I am a Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and this movie really hits home.The letters, which were sent home by various Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen from Vietnam, are read by actors that were popular in the late 80's and video is added to the narraration, along with still photos of some of the letter writers.It is an outstanding movie, highly recommended.
- Great Film, Super Educational Tool, but....I've been teaching US history since the late 80s and have used this film since 96 or so. My only gripe is that we can't get the original full-length version. What we are able to buy has been cut by over 30 minutes and leaves some big gaps in the story. Still, I give this a hearty "two thumbs up" as the best in its class. The students are always riveted to it. Not a peep.
