Here's a short, but very well made documentary about Vietnam, produced for the Rambo Trilogy DVD set. A nice companion piece that, while giving some context for the Rambo films, also serves as a fine synopsis for the Vietnam War and the variety of opinions that were held by the soldiers who fought there. Best of all the story is told through the words of the people who were there and not narration. Making for a more personal story than usual.
Surely, some scholars might bristle at some omitted facts, but considering this is a DVD "Extra" that could easily have done without it, a tip of the hat should go out to to Michele Palmer and the folks from Artisan who had the presence of mind to flesh out the Vietnam War and its history before FIRST BLOOD was released. People may want to believe that the Rambo films were only bullet laden brain dead action flicks but in truth they also hit a very strong nerve with the soldiers who fought Vietnam, returned, and found that Americans (liberals & conservatives!) wanted nothing to do but sweep the whole conflict under the rug.
Rambo was an outlet, albeit sometimes a corny one, that was embraced by former vets & a public who also lamented our first "lost" war. This great documentary gives insight into the war and it's soldiers, while ever so slightly explains the ground work for which the Rambo movies would be released. Good job!!
