Season 1: The Vietnam War | Broadcast Version

The Vietnam War is a ten-part, 18-hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. In an immersive 360-degree narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. The Vietnam War features testimony from nearly 100 witnesses.

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

The Vietnam War

Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

After a century of French occupation, Vietnam emerges independent but divided.

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Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

The Vietnam War

Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

As a communist insurgency gains strength, JFK wrestles with US involvement in Vietnam.

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Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

The Vietnam War

The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

With South Vietnam near collapse, LBJ bombs the North and sends US troops to the South.

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The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

The Vietnam War

Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

US soldiers discover Vietnam is unlike their fathers’ war, as the antiwar movement grows.

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Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)

The Vietnam War

This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)

President Johnson escalates the war while promising the public that victory is in sight.

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This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

The Vietnam War

Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

Shaken by the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, America seems to be coming apart.

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Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

The Vietnam War

The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

After chaos roils the Democratic Convention, Nixon, promising peace, wins the presidency.

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The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

The Vietnam War

The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

Nixon withdraws troops but upon sending forces to Cambodia the antiwar movement reignites.

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The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

The Vietnam War

A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

South Vietnam fights alone as Nixon and Kissinger find a way out for America. POWs return.

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A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

The Vietnam War

The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

Saigon falls and the war ends. Americans & Vietnamese from all sides seek reconciliation.

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This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

The Vietnam War

En Español: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

After a century of French occupation, Vietnam emerges independent but divided.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

The Vietnam War

En Español: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

As a communist insurgency gains strength, JFK wrestles with US involvement in Vietnam.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

The Vietnam War

En Español: The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

With South Vietnam near collapse, LBJ bombs the North and sends US troops to the South.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: The River Styx (January 1964-December 1965)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

The Vietnam War

En Español: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

US soldiers discover Vietnam is unlike their fathers’ war, as the antiwar movement grows.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)

The Vietnam War

En Español: This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)

President Johnson escalates the war while promising the public that victory is in sight.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: This Is What We Do (July 1967-December 1967)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

The Vietnam War

En Español: Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

Shaken by the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, America seems to be coming apart.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: Things Fall Apart (January 1968-July 1968)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

The Vietnam War

En Español: The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

After chaos roils the Democratic Convention, Nixon, promising peace, wins the presidency.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968-May 1969)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

The Vietnam War

En Español: The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

Nixon withdraws troops but upon sending forces to Cambodia the antiwar movement reignites.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: The History of the World (April 1969-May 1970)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

The Vietnam War

En Español: A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

South Vietnam fights alone as Nixon and Kissinger find a way out for America. POWs return.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970-March 1973)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War En Español: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

The Vietnam War

En Español: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

Saigon falls and the war ends. Americans & Vietnamese from all sides seek reconciliation.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

En Español: The Weight of Memory (March 1973-Onward)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Descriptive Audio: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

The Vietnam War

Descriptive Audio: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

After a century of French occupation, Vietnam emerges independent but divided.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

Descriptive Audio: Déjà Vu (1858-1961)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Descriptive Audio: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

The Vietnam War

Descriptive Audio: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

As a communist insurgency gains strength, JFK wrestles with US involvement in Vietnam.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

Descriptive Audio: Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Descriptive Audio: The River Styx (Jan. 1964-Dec. 1965)

The Vietnam War

Descriptive Audio: The River Styx (Jan. 1964-Dec. 1965)

With South Vietnam near collapse, LBJ bombs the North and sends US troops to the South.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

Descriptive Audio: The River Styx (Jan. 1964-Dec. 1965)

Video thumbnail: The Vietnam War Descriptive Audio: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

The Vietnam War

Descriptive Audio: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)

US soldiers discover Vietnam is unlike their fathers’ war, as the antiwar movement grows.

MPT Passport

This video is currently available with MPT Passport.

Descriptive Audio: Resolve (January 1966-June 1967)