Why Netflix’s New Vietnam Series Outshines Ken Burns’ Documentary

Ken Burns’ “The Vietnam War” offers a penetrating examination of a harsh conflict, while Netflix’s “Turning Point: The Vietnam War” contests its status as the war’s most authoritative documentary series. Known for his exceptional work in documentaries, Burns is particularly renowned for his legendary sports documentary, “Baseball” (1984). Apart from “Baseball”, he also produced “The Civil War” (1990), “The Roosevelts” (2014), and the Academy Award-nominated “Brooklyn Bridge” (1981). At present, Burns is engaged in creating documentaries about the American Revolution and former President Lyndon B. Johnson, among other diverse subjects.

Ken Burns’ Vietnam documentary is an immersive 10-episode, 18-hour journey that traces the path of Vietnam regaining independence, from its early stages to the heart-wrenching war years and beyond, up until former President Nixon’s resignation. This documentary encompasses every significant event in one of the most influential wars in both American and Vietnamese history, keeping viewers engaged throughout. Given Ken Burns’ expertise as a documentarian, it’s not surprising that he was able to produce this masterpiece on a $30 million budget, skillfully integrating interviews with soldiers and civilians from various walks of life. Netflix’s Turning Point mirrors these objectives, but it follows a unique path in its narrative.

Netflix’s Turning Point Documentary Has Another Gripping, Thought-Provoking Take On The Vietnam War

Turning Point Is A Worthy Look At The Vietnam War

In the latest installment of Netflix’s “Turning Point” series, titled “The Vietnam War,” follows previous series episodes on topics such as 9/11 and the War on Terror (2021) and The Bomb and the Cold War (2024). This newest topic has been met with critical praise for its detailed exploration of the conflict. With a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have praised “Turning Point: The Vietnam War” as an incredibly comprehensive documentary that offers a sharp critique of America’s anti-Communist and pro-interventionist policies towards the Vietnamese people.

Title Shift: The Vietnam War: An Unbiased Perspective on the Conflict’s Events

This captivating documentary provides a balanced view of the Vietnam War from both perspectives involved in the conflict – North Vietnamese army and American-supported South. It meticulously avoids favoring either side and instead delivers constructive criticism towards both parties. The focus is primarily on the early stages of the war, its buildup, and the events leading up to it, before diving deeper into significant historical moments. Instead of presenting a linear narrative, each of the five episodes zeroes in on a crucial aspect of the war, enriching our understanding of less-known yet pivotal events that many may not have encountered or studied in detail.

Ken Burns’ Vietnam Documentary Goes Into More Depth, But Netflix Makes The Most Of Its Interviews, Footage & Analysis Of US Politics & Society

Both Vietman Documentaries Have Their Strong Points

Ken Burns’ documentary titled “The Vietnam War” has been commended for its meticulousness, breadth, and ability to encompass a vast expanse of the conflict. Spanning over 10 episodes and 18 hours, it afforded ample room to delve into a multitude of related topics. This allowed Burns to incorporate more interviews, testimonials, and an extensive amount of information about the war itself. Although his work faced some criticism for lacking fresh insights on the war, it undeniably served as a comprehensive overview for those unacquainted with the events that unfolded during this period.

As someone who appreciates films that delve into history, I highly recommend Ken Burns’ “The Vietnam War” for anyone keen on understanding the intricacies of this significant conflict. Just like some World War II documentaries serve as reminders of horrific atrocities from that war, “The Vietnam War” offers a fresh perspective for those who were not privy to its events. Ken Burns is a master at taking extensive research and presenting it in a way that resonates with new audiences, which he did brilliantly with this series. The documentary was undeniably well-received, garnering an impressive 96% Tomatometer score and a 95% Popcornmeter score.

Title	Tomatometer Score	Popcornmeter Score
The Vietnam War	96%	95%
Turning Point: The Vietnam War	100%	N/A

If Burns shone in crafting a comprehensive narrative with The Vietnam War, then Turning Point stood out by concentrating on its critical aspects – primarily the political aspects of the war. Although it also touched upon certain battles, its primary focus lay on unraveling the politics behind the conflict. Similar to Burns’ exploration of the war, this documentary does not present new facts about the Vietnam story; however, it sheds light on details that might have been unknown to most viewers. For example, while Kennedy’s involvement in the war is generally understood by many, this documentary makes his role more transparent and self-explanatory to a wider audience.

Netflix’s Vietnam War Documentary Still Leaves Out Some Important Aspects Of The Conflict

Ken Burns Offered A More Thorough Look At The Vietnam Conflict

In contrast to Ken Burns’ documentary, the Netflix series doesn’t have enough space to delve into every battle of the war. While an 18-hour documentary can cover the major battles, the limited five-episode span of Turning Point left director Brian Knappenberger with minimal room to replicate such coverage. Instead, as its title suggests, Turning Point zeroed in on how the war served as a pivotal moment for Vietnam, America, and the Cold War at large.

The Turning Point documentary didn’t adequately tackle the lasting impacts of the Vietnam War. While it does explore the influence on American culture, it completely overlooks significant aspects like the long-term effects of Agent Orange, environmental damage, and numerous other atrocities. These elements were omitted intentionally by Knappenberger to create a political documentary about U.S. history instead of focusing solely on the war narrative. This doesn’t necessarily diminish its value, but it distinguishes it from Burns’ work in terms of scope and focus.

Netflix’s Turning Point & Ken Burns’ Vietnam War Doc Are Best Watched As Companion Series

You Can’t Go Wrong Watching Both

The idea is that Ken Burns and Knappenberger have distinct perspectives on the same war, with Ken Burns focusing on the military aspect while Knappenberger delves into the political side. Rather than being conflicting or independent presentations, these series could be seen as complementary, allowing each to provide a unique perspective and thus enriching our understanding of the war by addressing different but equally important elements that might not find a place in the other’s narrative.

If “Turning Point: The Vietnam War” serves as an ideal introduction to the Vietnam War for beginners, then delving deeper into the subject could be achieved by watching Ken Burns’ documentary series. While they share similarities, the distinct representations make them both worth viewing. Ken Burns’ “The Vietnam War” offers a comprehensive understanding of the war itself, while Knappenberger’s work on Netflix provides insights into how the war influences American politics today. Both perspectives are beneficial and will continue to enlighten viewers in the years ahead.

2025-05-19 23:41