Okay, I remember the Vietnam War. Sort of. I know we didn't belong there and it was the subject of lots and lots of discord in this country. Every Thursday on the Channel 5 10 O'Clock News, there would be a somber roll call listing the New York casualties in Nam the previous week. And, of course, I knew there were a lot of soldiers there because Bob Hope and Joey Heatherton went to see them every Christmas.
I knew little about the battles and then I remember it was over. Just like that. There were peace talks. They agreed. End of war.
This film shows that it wasn't that simple. And, indeed, the tale unspools in a compelling and fascinating way. If only my history classes had been like that.
"Last Days in Vietnam" is the work of filmmaker Rory Kennedy, daughter of Bobby. As a matter of fact, she's the baby who was in Ethel's womb the night her father was killed in the Ambassador Hotel. A child who never met her dad. Also, she's the one who was getting married at Hyannis Port the weekend John Jr. flew himself into the drink. So, Rory's been exposed to a bit of history. But, it's the history she tells in this movie that really earns her some kudos as an expert documentarian.
Back in 1973, the Saigon Peace Talks were signed and there was to be a ceasefire between Communist North Vietnam and the south. In return for this ceasefire, American troops were to vacate. We held up our end of the bargain.
But, in 1974, Nixon left office due to Watergate and the Vietcong were no longer scared. They started fighting again and essentially marched like cockroaches right down to Saigon. So much for the agreement. By April, 1975, they were just outside the southern capital and ready to pounce. This film tells the story about that last, arduous month.
In Saigon, there was still an American Embassy. There were close to 5,000 Americans still in the country. They had to get out quickly. But, then again, so did the Vietnamese refugees. And, in many cases, the Americans had hooked up with the locals in both business ventures and marriage. Before you know it, there had to be an evacuation within 24 hours of about 77,000 people. Helicopters were to transport them, 40 or 50 at a time, to ships out in the Pacific. If this all sounds nice and organized, it wasn't. There were only plans to get out about 5,000. Yet, so many more went.
This movie tells that story in a very detailed, minute-by-minute account from the eyes of the Americans and South Vietnamese who were there. The Kennedy name on the director opens up access to everybody from Henry Kissinger on down. And, to the credit of Kennedy, there is no political bias delivered here. If Rory has an opinion on the inept operation and evacuation, you don't hear it. And, in my book, that's the mark of a great documentary.
"Last Days in Vietnam" is worth your time, whether you remember the war or not. Or, even if, as I did, you sleepwalked through it.
LEN'S RATING: Three and a half stars.
Dinner last night: Super Dodger Dog at the game.
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