3 reviews
As a British Army veteran with a longstanding interest in the Vietnam War, I approached Turning Point: Vietnam with the hope that it would offer a rich, balanced perspective on one of the most politically and morally complex conflicts of the 20th century. Unfortunately, what unfolds is a disappointingly narrow and overly Americanised narrative, filtered through a distinctly modern lens.
This series seems more interested in drawing parallels with today's ideological and cultural debates than offering a sober, historically accurate examination of the war itself. It applies 21st-century sensibilities to 20th-century geopolitics, and in doing so, misses the nuance, context, and texture that this subject demands. It felt less like a documentary and more like a vessel for contemporary messaging-at times bordering on revisionist history.
What's particularly jarring is the near-total absence of Vietnamese voices, both from the North and the South. The conflict, after all, was fought on their soil, among their people, and with devastating impact. The series gives little space to understanding the motivations of the North Vietnamese or Viet Cong beyond standard Cold War tropes, and barely touches on the tragedy of South Vietnam's fall. There's a living history here that is fading fast, yet the documentary doesn't seem interested in preserving or exploring it.
Likewise, Australia-America's most significant ally in the conflict outside of South Vietnam-is not mentioned at all. Over 60,000 Australians served in the war, with more than 500 killed. Their absence from this series further underscores the US-centric lens through which the entire conflict is portrayed. There's also scant reference to other contributing nations, such as South Korea, Thailand, or the Philippines, nor any deep analysis of the international ramifications of the war on post-colonial Asia.
The Vietnam War was never just a 'bad chapter' in American history, it was a global flashpoint, the culmination of colonial collapse, Cold War paranoia, and regional resistance movements. Any serious documentary on the subject should strive to examine not just what happened, but why, from all angles.
In the end, Turning Point, Vietnam feels like a missed opportunity. At a time when first-hand accounts are still possible, and when global perspectives are more accessible than ever, this series retreats into a familiar, overly simplified narrative. It does a disservice not only to viewers but also to the complexity-and humanity-of those who lived through the war on all sides.
This series seems more interested in drawing parallels with today's ideological and cultural debates than offering a sober, historically accurate examination of the war itself. It applies 21st-century sensibilities to 20th-century geopolitics, and in doing so, misses the nuance, context, and texture that this subject demands. It felt less like a documentary and more like a vessel for contemporary messaging-at times bordering on revisionist history.
What's particularly jarring is the near-total absence of Vietnamese voices, both from the North and the South. The conflict, after all, was fought on their soil, among their people, and with devastating impact. The series gives little space to understanding the motivations of the North Vietnamese or Viet Cong beyond standard Cold War tropes, and barely touches on the tragedy of South Vietnam's fall. There's a living history here that is fading fast, yet the documentary doesn't seem interested in preserving or exploring it.
Likewise, Australia-America's most significant ally in the conflict outside of South Vietnam-is not mentioned at all. Over 60,000 Australians served in the war, with more than 500 killed. Their absence from this series further underscores the US-centric lens through which the entire conflict is portrayed. There's also scant reference to other contributing nations, such as South Korea, Thailand, or the Philippines, nor any deep analysis of the international ramifications of the war on post-colonial Asia.
The Vietnam War was never just a 'bad chapter' in American history, it was a global flashpoint, the culmination of colonial collapse, Cold War paranoia, and regional resistance movements. Any serious documentary on the subject should strive to examine not just what happened, but why, from all angles.
In the end, Turning Point, Vietnam feels like a missed opportunity. At a time when first-hand accounts are still possible, and when global perspectives are more accessible than ever, this series retreats into a familiar, overly simplified narrative. It does a disservice not only to viewers but also to the complexity-and humanity-of those who lived through the war on all sides.
- roderickmorrison-40759
- May 2, 2025
- Permalink
I had to pause my viewing of the 1st episode...as it seems to be a disingenuous account of the war so far, with few proper foundation laid.
Yet another US centric history of, what they call in Vietnam, the American war. Most of their modern history is trying to gain independence from the French, even seeking support from the US. When that wasn't forthcoming Ho Chi Minh turns to the obvious support he can get from his communist neighbours. In other words he's not an out right communist, he uses communism as a vehicle for independence. This isn't even touched on in the programme.
Hopefully the rest of the episode and series are better.
Resuming to episode 2 - better, maybe should have started with the historical background.
Yet another US centric history of, what they call in Vietnam, the American war. Most of their modern history is trying to gain independence from the French, even seeking support from the US. When that wasn't forthcoming Ho Chi Minh turns to the obvious support he can get from his communist neighbours. In other words he's not an out right communist, he uses communism as a vehicle for independence. This isn't even touched on in the programme.
Hopefully the rest of the episode and series are better.
Resuming to episode 2 - better, maybe should have started with the historical background.
Some unique insights. Definite left spin. Use of Dan Rather over other living correspondents was an odd choice given his post disgrace record of being a leftist kook. Several unexplained images of Jan 6, ??? What is the connection of a South Viet Nam flag at the capital and this series. If you want to commentate, spit it out. Over plays Johnson and Nixon while not touching the golden boy JFK. Severely underplays the horrors inflicted by the North, over plays US atrocities and puts the crown of justice on US protestors. Can any journalist today just 'report' the facts without getting political? 8 hours of goblity-goop to demonstrate we hung the South Vietnamese out to dry, which to my knowledge, is not contested.