Watch Sir! No Sir!

Sir! No Sir! is a thought-provoking documentary film directed by David Zeiger that chronicles the powerful anti-war movement that took place within the US military during the Vietnam War. This film explores the voices of those soldiers who opposed the war and were brave enough to speak out against it, despite the harsh consequences they faced.

The film is full of first-hand accounts and rare archival footage of the GI movement from 1964 to the present day, that depict the soldiers doing everything from organizing massive protests to actively defying orders, in the fight against the war they were forced to fight. Director David Zeiger also interviews dozens of veterans who share their stories, often with heartbreaking detail, of their own personal journey through boot camp, Vietnam, and back again.

One of the primary themes of Sir! No Sir! is the prevalence of protest and resistance from within the ranks of the military. The film reveals the many ways in which soldiers tried to resist the war effort, from going AWOL, to disseminating anti-war materials, to outright mutiny. Yet, these veterans did not shy away from admitting their own insecurities, frustrations, and missteps, highlighting that many of them were just kids, still learning and trying to find their moral compass amidst a raging war.

The interviews with these veterans are often emotional and heart-wrenching, as they recount their experiences of dissent and the repercussions they faced. The film captures a real sense of the pressure inflicted on these soldiers, as well as the courage it took for them to resist the status quo. This was not only a difficult time for those on the front lines, but for the entire nation as well. The country was still grappling with the Civil Rights movement, and those serving in the military were forced to reconcile their commitment to their country with the knowledge that the war was unjust.

The film does an excellent job of not only recounting the stories of resistance, but also tracing the origins of the anti-war movement. The film highlights the broader cultural and social transformations taking place in the US during the late 1960s, and demonstrates how many soldiers were influenced and inspired by the protest movement outside of the military. This provided a sense of solidarity and support that became essential to those resisting the war.

Zeiger does a great job contextualizing the influence this movement had on the war itself, something that is often forgotten in discussions of the Vietnam War. As the movement grew, it helped to shift public opinion and played a significant role in forcing the US government to withdraw from the war. Sir! No Sir! makes a compelling argument that the war in Vietnam was not just lost on the battlefield, but also because it lost the hearts and minds of soldiers and the wider public.

The film also exposes many of the myths and exaggerations that have been perpetuated about the GI movement, such as the supposed "spitting on soldiers" that is often portrayed in films about the Vietnam War. Interviews with the veterans themselves show how such ideas were propaganda used by military officials to discredit the anti-war movement, and to continue to support the fighting in Vietnam.

Sir! No Sir! is a powerful film that does an excellent job of documenting a pivotal moment in American history. It reminds us that dissent and resistance in the face of unjust wars is not only important, but necessary. By highlighting the stories of those veterans who stood against the tide of the war, the film provides an inspiring and educational resource, calling on us to never forget the lessons of the past, and to hold our leaders accountable when they lead us into questionable military conflicts.

In conclusion, Sir! No Sir! is a must-watch film for anyone interested in the Vietnam War and the social, cultural and political forces that drove the anti-war movement. The film's unvarnished testimonials of the veterans who risk everything, including their lives, to oppose a war they believed was unjust, makes it a powerful historical document. It is an important reminder that sometimes the most heroic and patriotic thing a soldier can do is to stand up in opposition to their own government.

Sir! No Sir! is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 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 74.