Watch Last Days in Vietnam

Last Days in Vietnam is a gripping and emotional documentary that chronicles the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War. Directed by Rory Kennedy, the film weaves together archival footage, interviews with American and Vietnamese survivors, and detailed accounts of the political and military decisions that led up to the fall of Saigon in 1975.

The film provides an in-depth examination of the events that took place over the course of several weeks as North Vietnamese forces closed in on Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. With the US embassy in Saigon as a central location, the documentary follows the efforts of American diplomats and military personnel who worked tirelessly to evacuate as many South Vietnamese citizens and American civilians as possible before the city fell.

The film showcases the efforts of American officials who worked to extend the visa program for South Vietnamese who had worked with the US military and who were now in danger of reprisals from the North Vietnamese. The documentary also details the risky and often desperate actions taken by South Vietnamese citizens who sought to escape the city by any means possible, including bribing military officials, hiding in the trunks of cars, and clinging to the outside of helicopters.

Throughout the film, the viewer is introduced to a range of individuals involved in the evacuation efforts. One story that is particularly compelling is that of Ambassador Graham Martin, the American official who was charged with overseeing the evacuation of the embassy. Martin, who was in poor health, was often at odds with his colleagues and refused to believe that the city could fall to the enemy. His stubbornness and refusal to evacuate the embassy until the last minute put many lives at risk.

The film also provides insight into the thinking of key American officials during the final days of the war, including President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The documentary details how the US government was torn between trying to save as many South Vietnamese and American lives as possible, while also being wary of the potential political fallout of appearing to abandon its ally in Vietnam.

Last Days in Vietnam is a powerful and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the costs of war and the responsibilities of governments towards their citizens and allies. The film is a fitting tribute to the thousands of individuals who risked their lives to try to save others during one of the darkest chapters in American history.

Overall, Last Days in Vietnam is a must-see film for anyone interested in the Vietnam War or in the ways that governments respond to humanitarian crises. The film is compelling, moving, and informative, and it sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of this conflict.

Last Days in Vietnam is a 2014 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 86.