Watch In the Year of the Pig

In the Year of the Pig is a documentary film directed by Emile de Antonio that chronicles the Vietnam War from a critical perspective. Released in 1968, the movie is narrated mostly through historical footage and interviews with anti-war activists, historians, and veterans who had been involved in the war one way or another. The film's title comes from the Chinese zodiac sign that represents the year 1968, a year that saw many anti-war protests and social unrest in the United States. The movie explores the reasons behind American involvement in Vietnam, beginning with the end of the French colonization and the rise of the nationalist movement led by Ho Chi Minh. The film then covers the escalation of American intervention during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.

In the Year of the Pig is not meant to be an objective, journalistic report of the war but rather a passionately critical examination of the political, social, and cultural factors that led to the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The film is divided into chapters that touch on different aspects of the war, such as the role of the media, the protests movement, the military tactics used by both Vietnamese and American forces, and the impact of the war on Vietnamese civilians.

The movie is adorned with striking visuals, including photographs of the conflict, scenes of bombings and military campaigns, and interviews with soldiers on both sides of the fight. The most powerful scenes of the film are those that show the human costs of war, such as the aftermath of a bombing raid or the face of a wounded civilian. Some of the most graphic images are those of the My Lai massacre, which occurred in 1968, and where US soldiers killed over 500 Vietnamese civilians - women, children, and elderly.

The interviews are conducted with a diverse range of perspectives. Some people interviewed are US soldiers who speak candidly about their experiences, describing everything from the brutal living conditions to the moral challenges they faced. Other interviews feature anti-war activists, such as Daniel Berrigan and Joseph Buttinger, who provide an alternative view on the war and its meaning to U.S. society. And there are also scholars and journalists who provide context and insight into the historical and political intricacies of the conflict.

Although In the Year of the Pig is intended to be critical of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, the film does not portray a simplistic or one-sided picture of the conflict. It neither glorifies the Vietnamese nor demonizes the Americans. Rather, the movie seeks to uncover the complex and nuanced nature of the war, and to challenge the moral and ethical concerns that were central to the US's role in it.

The film's critical stance towards the Vietnam War, coupled with the controversy surrounding the conflict at the time, made In the Year of the Pig a lightning rod of political emotion. As a result, the movie became a centerpiece of the anti-war movement, and screenings were often accompanied by protests and demonstrations.

In conclusion, In the Year of the Pig is an important documentary film that covers one of the most divisive and tragic events in American history. Although made over 50 years ago, the movie remains relevant today in its efforts to question the power structures and assumptions that perpetuate war and violence. Combining historical footage, striking visual images, and insightful interviews, the film has earned its place as a classic of political cinema, and a timeless critique of the human costs of war.

In the Year of the Pig is a 1968 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.