New Documentary Sheds Light on the Vietnam War's Human Cost

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A new documentary series, "Vietnam: The War That Changed America," is now streaming on Apple TV+, marking the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and exploring the human experiences behind one of the most controversial conflicts in U.S. history. Directed by Rob Coldstream and narrated by actor Ethan Hawke, the six-part series presents intimate testimonies from veterans and civilians affected by the war, which claimed over 58,000 American and an estimated three million Vietnamese lives.

The series aims to humanize the statistics often lost in historical accounts. Veteran Bill Broyles, who served in the Vietnam War and has worked as a screenwriter, emphasized that the documentary seeks to present the emotional realities often overlooked in both historical analyses and fictional portrayals. "The idea was to recount everything that is not in the history books," he stated in an interview with EL PAÍS.

Using restored archival footage, the series captures lesser-known aspects of wartime life and offers insights into the lasting impacts of the conflict. As Broyles poignantly reflects, "What does Iraq or Afghanistan have to do with us? What did we lose in Vietnam?"

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