The documentary amounts to a dramatic kaleidoscope of events surrounding the killing of four protesting students by the National Guard at Kent State University in May, 1970. The shooting was a turning point in student anti- Vietnam war demonstrations. Up to that time, student face-offs with police and other enforcement agencies had stopped short of lethal violence. But on that May Day, the confrontation suddenly turned deadly. Perhaps more importantly, it showed government was now ready to kill home front opposition, thereby sending a chill through demonstrators across the land, as I well remember. Thus demo's began to tamp down if not end. In short, Kent State was an epochal event in the war's course at home.
All in all, the documentary covers events both before and after in a pretty much non-partisan manner. Spokespeople from each side are interviewed without overlying commentary. At the same time, dramatic footage from demonstrations stateside to combat troops in Cambodia lends historical context. Also present is abundant footage of President Nixon and his efforts to undermine student protestors and appear peace-loving at the same time. And, that's despite his spreading the war into Cambodia, a triggering event of the deadly Kent State demo. At times the threads can be difficult to follow since the pacing is pretty much rapid fire. On the whole, however, the documentary is both edifying and engaging, with a timely upshot-- namely that the feminist and anti-censorship movements can be traced to outgrowths of the peace movement. And that, I think, shows that while it's okay to press cultural issues, those opposing empire may risk more than a billy club.
All in all, the documentary covers events both before and after in a pretty much non-partisan manner. Spokespeople from each side are interviewed without overlying commentary. At the same time, dramatic footage from demonstrations stateside to combat troops in Cambodia lends historical context. Also present is abundant footage of President Nixon and his efforts to undermine student protestors and appear peace-loving at the same time. And, that's despite his spreading the war into Cambodia, a triggering event of the deadly Kent State demo. At times the threads can be difficult to follow since the pacing is pretty much rapid fire. On the whole, however, the documentary is both edifying and engaging, with a timely upshot-- namely that the feminist and anti-censorship movements can be traced to outgrowths of the peace movement. And that, I think, shows that while it's okay to press cultural issues, those opposing empire may risk more than a billy club.