Watch Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To

Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To is a documentary series on the streaming platform, discovery+, that takes viewers back in time to one of the most brutal battles of the Vietnam War. Narrated by journalist John Beach, the show uses rare, never-before-seen footage captured by U.S. Army combat cameramen and interviews with soldiers who fought in the battle to provide a raw and unfiltered account of the conflict.

The battle of Dak To, which took place in November 1967, was one of the most contested and violent engagements in the entire Vietnam War. It pitted the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division against the North Vietnamese Army's (NVA) 1st Division in the central highlands of South Vietnam. What began as a mission to disrupt enemy supply lines quickly turned into a full-scale battle, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

The series offers a gripping look into the daily life of soldiers in Vietnam, including the intense fighting, the camaraderie, and the fear that comes with being in a war zone. Through the eyes of the combat cameramen, viewers get to see the war from a new perspective, from the frontline and behind the scenes, showcasing moments of courage and tragedy from the soldiers who fought in the war.

One of the main strengths of Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To is its use of previously unseen footage. These videos, captured in a time before cell phones and social media, are unedited and offer an authentic view of the war as it happened. They were saved by one of the cameramen who was on the front line before he was tragically killed. This footage provides an unmatched look at the battle, expertly edited by the filmmakers to showcase the chaos, intensity, and brutality of war.

The interviews with soldiers who fought in the battle are also a highlight of the series. These veterans offer important context and emotional depth to the footage, often providing a personal and intimate look at the war that is sometimes missing in traditional history books. These interviews include soldiers from both sides of the conflict, as well as commanders and military historians, offering a comprehensive and diverse recording of the battle.

Another highlight of the series is the attention it pays to detail, such as the various weapons, vehicles, and tactics used during the battle. The series showcases the various weapons and machines that were featured in the war, along with the tactics that both sides employed to gain the upper hand. This attention to detail provides a thorough and immersive experience for viewers, as they learn about the reality of war on the front lines.

Overall, Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To is a powerful and engaging series that offers a unique insight into the Vietnam War. With its focus on previously unseen footage, expert editing, and detailed historical context, it is a series that is sure to captivate viewers who are interested in war history, documentary filmmaking or narratives about human resilience and courage in the face of extreme situations. It is a hard-hitting reminder that the consequences of war extend beyond the time and place it happens, and that the human cost must always be remembered.

Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between March 4, 2014 and on discovery+