Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Outstanding docu is insightful, objective, and violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Vietnam War
What's the Story?
Produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, THE VIETNAM WAR is a documentary series that offers an in-depth and extremely visual account of the history and consequences of one of the most controversial conflicts in American history from multiple points of view. Narrated by Peter Coyote, is relies on film footage, photographs, interviews, and first-person accounts from former military leaders, soldiers, government representatives, and civilians from all sides of the war to tell the story. It highlights the complicated political, economic, and social reasons behind the conflict, as well as the U.S. policies that contributed to it. It also examines the impact the war in Indochina had, and continues to have, within U.S. borders.
Is It Any Good?
This outstanding documentary series offers a systematic and detailed account of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, from 1858 French colonialism to the present. It examines how Vietnam's view of, and relationship with, the French, Japanese, and Americans contributed to the rise of nationalism in the country. It notes how post-World War II Cold War politics exacerbated these tensions and made the overall situation more volatile. Meanwhile, it underscores the sheer brutality of the war from all sides by successfully humanizing the overall experience.
The connections are clearly made between decades of U.S. policies in Indochina and what transpired in Vietnam as a result. The consequences these policies had on the United States include the loss of over 58,000 soldiers and the nationally divisive civil unrest and violent events that define the era. The Vietnam War isn't easy to watch, but it takes an objective and honest look at the irreversible impact this controversial and often misunderstood military conflict has had on the United States and everyone involved in it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the war in Vietnam. What caused it? Why was the United States a part of it? What happened to the soldiers who came back after it was over?
Does The Vietnam War address the issues surrounding the conflict differently from other documentaries about the subject? How does it differ from Hollywood representations?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 17, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : September 19, 2017
- Cast : Peter Coyote
- Directors : Ken Burns , Lynn Novick
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : PBS
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : History
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate