Watch No Substitute For Victory
- G
- 1970
- 1 hr 20 min
-
5.8 (129)
No substitute for Victory is a powerful war documentary directed by John Wayne in 1971. The movie is an exploration of the Vietnam War, from the perspective of the American military, and seeks to inspire patriotism and support for the troops. The film is dense with footage from the battlefield, military speeches, and interviews with leading military figures, including William C. Westmoreland and Vladimir Lenin.
The movie opens with John Wayne narrating the history of the United States and emphasizing the importance of winning wars. Wayne portrays war as a necessary evil which has been with humanity since the beginning of time. He makes a case for victory over surrender, arguing that if any nation surrenders, they lose their autonomy. He believes that nations that have surrendered are never truly free, and that this is unacceptable.
The movie then moves on to Vietnam, offering footage of troops on the ground and interviews with military leaders. Wayne takes the audience through the battles and the strategies employed by the American military. Wayne gives a vivid description of the battlefield, and it captures the brutal nature of the war.
The movie also deals with the issue of communist aggression, and Wayne paints a picture of communism as an enemy ideology that seeks to dominate the world. He portrays communism as a force which if not stopped, will ultimately lead to the end of freedom and democracy worldwide.
One of the most powerful moments in the movie happens when Wayne sits down with General Westmoreland. In this scene, Westmoreland speaks at length about the war in Vietnam, its trajectory, and the struggles of the American military. He emphasizes the importance of victory but also the need for the American public to support the troops.
Similarly, the film features a speech by Vladimir Lenin, who speaks about the communist ideology and its objective to take over the world. Lenin's speech is juxtaposed with the footage of the war, and thus, the viewer can get a better understanding of the communist menace that the American soldiers were fighting.
The movie ends with a military march, highlighting the courage and sacrifice of the American military. The final shot of the movie is that of the American flag, fluttering in the wind, a symbol of freedom and democracy.
No Substitute for Victory is an outstanding piece of documentary filmmaking. The movie successfully captures the essence of the American view of the Vietnam War. It is an emotional and powerful film that seeks to inspire patriotism and support for the troops, and remind viewers of the true cost of war.
Furthermore, the movie has historical significance as it reflects the American public's perspectives on the Vietnam War. In 1971, the United States public was becoming increasingly disillusioned with the war, and No Substitute for Victory was one of the attempts to halt the growing anti-war sentiment.
In conclusion, No Substitute for Victory is a profound and thought-provoking historical movie. The footage, military speeches, and interviews with leading military figures make it emotionally compelling. While it has some limitations in terms of its potential biases, the movie remains a valuable historical document of American views on the Vietnam War.
No Substitute For Victory is a 1970 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.