In 1969, journalist Seymour Hersh revealed that US troops had massacred Vietnamese civilians in My Lai the previous year.* Joseph Strick's Oscar-winning "Interviews with My Lai Veterans" features interviews with the men who carried out the massacre. One of the men notes that the army gave them the authority to shoot anything that moved. Another says something to the effect of "There would probably be no enemy if we weren't there." See a similarity to recent events?
Everyone should see this documentary. Regardless of the young men's attitudes towards their actions, there can be no doubt that the My Lai Massacre was one of the worst war crimes ever. The order to kill may come from the top, but it's the soldier on the battlefield who makes the final decision. I also recommend 1974's "Hearts and Minds".
I noticed that the recently deceased Haskell Wexler was one of the cinematographers. Everyone should see his "Medium Cool", filmed during the protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention.
*It later came out that a young Colin Powell had helped cover up the massacre.
Everyone should see this documentary. Regardless of the young men's attitudes towards their actions, there can be no doubt that the My Lai Massacre was one of the worst war crimes ever. The order to kill may come from the top, but it's the soldier on the battlefield who makes the final decision. I also recommend 1974's "Hearts and Minds".
I noticed that the recently deceased Haskell Wexler was one of the cinematographers. Everyone should see his "Medium Cool", filmed during the protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention.
*It later came out that a young Colin Powell had helped cover up the massacre.