The 317th Platoon (1965)
Genre : War, History, Drama
Runtime : 1H 40M
Director : Pierre Schoendoerffer
Writer : Pierre Schoendoerffer
Synopsis
In Laos, 1954, eight days before the french defeat in the Indochina war, the 317th platoon – four french soldiers and 41 laotian combatants – has been ordered to leave its outpost and to retreat for the plains of Diên Biên Phu, where the french army is getting stucked. Led by the inexperienced and idealistic sous-lieutenant Torrens, fresh out of the military academy, and by adjutant Willsdorf, a WWII veteran of the Werhmacht, the group must cross 150 kilometers of jungle. But dripping rainwater, hostile nature, and the Viêt-minh ambushes expose them to constant danger.
In 1966, Iowa native Jim Hamlyn was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served a year-long tour of duty during the heart of the Vietnam War. Using an 8mm camera, Hamlyn - a recipient of the Bronze Star for valor in combat with the U.S. Army 196th Light Infantry Brigade - documented his war experiences. Now, for the first time in television history, Hamlyn's war footage is being released for public broadcast. A Bad Deal - My Vietnam War Story highlights this never-before-seen footage, along with a rare interview with Hamlyn, to offer a revealing glimpse into the story of one American war veteran, as seen through the lens of his film camera. Featuring a haunting, original score by Joe Maddock, A Bad Deal takes you back in time to relive one of America's most divisive conflicts.
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Scramble the Seawolves is the unknown story of the US Navy’s first and only Attack Helicopter Gunship Squadron. Established in 1967 and tasked with a life-saving mission of providing close air support for Gamewarden Operations and friendly allies in the Mekong Delta, Republic of Vietnam. Using war-torn hand-me-down huey’s, the Seawolves would become the most decorated Squadron in the Vietnam War and Naval Aviation History. Fifty years later, this is their story.
Deserter follows Ryan Johnson and his wife Jen during their flight from the Central Valley of California to Toronto, Canada. Johnson deserted the American army after hearing that he was going to be deployed to Iraq, despite assurances that this would not happen. Like many of his contemporaries, Johnson only joined the army because he could not find a job, and he sees the war in Iraq as both illegal and immoral. Desertion means imprisonment, so he decides to flee, realising that there will be no way back. Johnson seeks advice from various helpful organisations that guide him and Jen to Canada. The employees include both Vietnam veterans and young soldiers who have already served in Iraq.
Under the drizzling rain of the bustling Saigon city, a dreamy musician and a hard-headed realistic girl stumble across each other and fall in love. In the face of economic, social, familial, and romantic adversity, they are yet to answer their own questions on how to have a happy life.
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Four stories for the price of one! Two detectives struggling with their own masculinity learn to work with each other, a French focus puller learns the true nature of his abusive director, a British influencer travels to Texas and has to fight for his life to get out, and a young man falls in love with a stranger who has yet to learn his dark secret.
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Thirteen veterans are given an opportunity to reveal their experiences in Vietnam and to talk about the frustrations they have encountered upon returning home.
In the late 1960s, during the Vietnam War, the US government is working on a draft lottery to send soldiers to the front line. Fiona holds back news of her pregnancy as a surprise from her husband Jay. Meanwhile, Jay has received a draft notice.
At the risk of a 5-year prison term, Francesco Da Vinci struggles with his Virginia draft board to be recognized as a sincere conscientious objector to the Vietnam war.
The production is a poetic impression, its tone is mournful. The film shows the landscape of Vietnam two years after the end of the war. There is no commentary in the production, the image is accompanied by Mozart's composition.
A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the U.S.-Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.
She was once as famous as Jackie O—and then she tried to take down a President. Martha Mitchell was the unlikeliest of whistleblowers: a Republican wife who was discredited by Nixon to keep her quiet. Until now.
