« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Vietnam  (Read 1573 times)

jeremyp

  • Admin Support
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 32509
  • Blurb
    • Sincere Flattery: A blog about computing
Vietnam
« on: October 10, 2017, 07:52:33 PM »
The BBC are running a documentary series on Vietnam, directed by Ken Burns. Anybody else here following it?

I'm a little bit behind, but I've got to 1963 (the first episode covers 1945-1961 and the second episode covers 1961 -1963). So far I am utterly astonished at the arrogance and ineptitude of both the French and the USA in handling the situation. 

Logged
This post and all of JeremyP's posts words certified 100% divinely inspired* -- signed God.
*Platinum infallibility package, terms and conditions may apply

Nearly Sane

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 64353
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2017, 07:54:05 PM »
Missed this completely. Link?
Logged

Shaker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15639
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2017, 07:55:27 PM »
As is my wont I'm recording it and waiting for the thing in its entirety before I launch myself on it. (Currently binging on all three seasons of Penny Dreadful as I write). I've heard good reports of it so I'm looking forward to filling in some of the patchier parts of my knowledge.
Logged
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

jeremyp

  • Admin Support
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 32509
  • Blurb
    • Sincere Flattery: A blog about computing
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2017, 07:55:42 PM »
Logged
This post and all of JeremyP's posts words certified 100% divinely inspired* -- signed God.
*Platinum infallibility package, terms and conditions may apply

jeremyp

  • Admin Support
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 32509
  • Blurb
    • Sincere Flattery: A blog about computing
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2017, 07:56:11 PM »
Quote from: Shaker on October 10, 2017, 07:55:27 PM
As is my wont I'm recording it and waiting for the thing in its entirety before I launch myself on it. (Currently binging on all three seasons of Penny Dreadful as I write). I've heard good reports of it so I'm looking forward to filling in some of the patchier parts of my knowledge.

In my opinion, it is brilliant.
Logged
This post and all of JeremyP's posts words certified 100% divinely inspired* -- signed God.
*Platinum infallibility package, terms and conditions may apply

Shaker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15639
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2017, 07:57:39 PM »
Quote from: jeremyp on October 10, 2017, 07:56:11 PM
In my opinion, it is brilliant.
I would be mightily surprised if It's anywhere near the equal of Burns's American Civil War, though.
Logged
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Nearly Sane

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 64353
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2017, 08:01:42 PM »
Logged

Enki

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3870
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2017, 08:34:26 PM »
Yes, I'm following it. Also saw Burn's exceptional Civil War. So far, I find it absolutely fascinating and chilling in equal measures. The next ones are on next Monday I think. The last two dealt with the lead up to, and exposition of the Tet offensive. For me, although I was born during the Second World War, it was this war above all which had a lasting impression on me regarding its futile horrors and the dissembling of politicians and the military. Others may not agree, of course.
Logged
Sometimes I wish my first word was 'quote,' so that on my death bed, my last words could be 'end quote.'
Steven Wright

Nearly Sane

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 64353
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2017, 08:43:59 PM »
Quote from: enki on October 10, 2017, 08:34:26 PM
Yes, I'm following it. Also saw Burn's exceptional Civil War. So far, I find it absolutely fascinating and chilling in equal measures. The next ones are on next Monday I think. The last two dealt with the lead up to, and exposition of the Tet offensive. For me, although I was born during the Second World War, it was this war above all which had a lasting impression on me regarding its futile horrors and the dissembling of politicians and the military. Others may not agree, of course.

Burn's stuff is always great but. I think the Civil War is probably the best but love The West and Jazz
Logged

jeremyp

  • Admin Support
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 32509
  • Blurb
    • Sincere Flattery: A blog about computing
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2017, 02:10:49 AM »
Quote from: Shaker on October 10, 2017, 07:57:39 PM
I would be mightily surprised if It's anywhere near the equal of Burns's American Civil War, though.
It's the same director. I haven't seen his series on the American Civil War, but I'm going to have to now, if it's anywhere near as good as Vietnam.
Logged
This post and all of JeremyP's posts words certified 100% divinely inspired* -- signed God.
*Platinum infallibility package, terms and conditions may apply

Nearly Sane

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 64353
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2017, 03:37:05 AM »
Quote from: jeremyp on October 11, 2017, 02:10:49 AM
It's the same director. I haven't seen his series on the American Civil War, but I'm going to have to now, if it's anywhere near as good as Vietnam.
on  Netflix currently, I think
Logged

Enki

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3870
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2017, 10:41:53 AM »
Quote from: Nearly Sane on October 10, 2017, 08:43:59 PM
Burn's stuff is always great but. I think the Civil War is probably the best but love The West and Jazz

Agreed. I've got all 12 and a half hours of his JAZZ film on DVDs, bought as a Xmas present. Great :)
Logged
Sometimes I wish my first word was 'quote,' so that on my death bed, my last words could be 'end quote.'
Steven Wright

Udayana

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5478
  • βε ηερε νοω
    • The Byrds - My Back Pages
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2017, 10:55:19 AM »
Have watched the first two parts of this excellent series so far.

Really would like similar analytic documentary on: Korean war, Iraq and Afghanistan, the political influences behind the scenes in the US...

And much much more. A time machine would be good ... :)

Logged
Ah, but I was so much older then ... I'm younger than that now

Udayana

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5478
  • βε ηερε νοω
    • The Byrds - My Back Pages
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2017, 11:35:00 AM »
From the "Penny Dreadful" thread(?):
Quote from: Nearly Sane on October 12, 2017, 11:20:34 AM

There was a pretty good BBC documentary series on Iran a few years back called Iran and The West, and it appears to be available on YouTube


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka-Wu1jYY9U

Thanks.

The BBC dies put on some great documentaries, usually on BBC4. There was one on Gertrude Bell recently and a repeat of Rory Stewart's two parter on Lawrence. Both excellent.
Logged
Ah, but I was so much older then ... I'm younger than that now

The Accountant, OBE, KC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8989
Re: Vietnam
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2017, 01:41:27 PM »
Watched the first episode on BBC iplayer last night - thanks for this. Really good. Will also check out the link for Iran.
Logged
I identify as a Sword because I have abstract social constructs e.g. honour and patriotism. My preferred pronouns are "kill/ maim/ dismember"

Quite handy with weapons - available for hire to defeat money laundering crooks around the world.

“Forget safety. Live where you fear to live.” Rumi
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »