We’ve heard about the Vietnam War in countless movies and books; it’s a war etched into the collective unconscious, yet much remains unknown. “Turning Point: The Vietnam War” is a five-part documentary, each episode an hour long, that thoroughly examines the reasons behind the war and its consequences on the American psyche.
“Turning Point: The Vietnam War” historically analyzes why the United States intervened in the conflict and, also, why this intervention led to a breakdown of faith among American citizens, creating a trust gap between the people and their government.
The Vietnam War remains etched in global memory as one of modern history’s most “defining and divisive” conflicts. Its profound impact reverberated across continents, reshaping America’s identity, shattering trust in its institutions, exposing deep societal fissures, and altering the course of countless lives. As the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon in April 2025 – a moment inevitably prompting reflection on the war’s complex and often painful legacy – Netflix introduces a significant new documentary series poised to re-examine this critical chapter.
This five-part documentary series, helmed by acclaimed director Brian Knappenberger and produced by Luminant Media, aims to chronicle the war’s trajectory, from the murky events of the Gulf of Tonkin incident that precipitated major U.S. escalation to the final, chaotic days of Saigon’s collapse.
The consistent production framework, involving Luminant Media and often director Brian Knappenberger, across the “Turning Point” series signifies a deliberate approach by Netflix. This strategy appears aimed at establishing a recognizable and trusted brand for high-caliber historical documentaries exploring pivotal global events. The specific inclusion of Đoan Hoàng Curtis, a filmmaker with deep personal ties to the Vietnam War, as Series Producer for this installment suggests a tailored effort to bring nuanced perspectives to this particular conflict.
Another Defining ‘Turning Point’ in a Flagship Franchise
“Turning Point: The Vietnam War” arrives with considerable anticipation, building on the success of its predecessors, “Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror” and “Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War.” These earlier series garnered significant viewership and critical attention, establishing the franchise’s reputation for tackling complex, world-altering events with depth and compelling narrative force.
The timing of this release is particularly potent. Premiering precisely 50 years after the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the series positions itself not merely as a historical retrospective but as a timely exploration relevant to contemporary concerns. Descriptions emphasize its focus on the war’s “unresolved wounds, unlearned lessons, and enduring consequences” that “continue to shape the world today.” This framing connects mid-20th-century events to persistent 21st-century issues like deep societal divisions and the erosion of public trust in government – themes repeatedly highlighted as central to the Vietnam War’s legacy.
Netflix and Luminant Media seem to be leveraging a moment of heightened public interest and historical reflection to maximize the series’ impact and viewership. It positions the “Turning Point” brand as a purveyor of serious, thought-provoking nonfiction, drawing explicit lines between crucial historical moments and the present day.
Defining Scope, Sources, and Themes
Spanning nearly two decades and traversing three U.S. presidential administrations (Johnson, Nixon, and implicitly Ford), the series takes a comprehensive historical sweep. The narrative extends from the roots of major American involvement, contextualized by the aftermath of the French colonial defeat at Dien Bien Phu and the subsequent division of Vietnam, through crucial turning points. These include the controversial Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964, which provided justification for escalating U.S. military action; the massive 1968 Tet Offensive, which shocked the American public and shifted perceptions of the war; the My Lai Massacre, which exposed horrific brutality; the protracted Paris Peace Accords negotiations; the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops in 1973; and the dramatic final fall of Saigon in 1975.
The series boasts “unprecedented access” to CBS News archives, facilitated through See It Now Studios, offering immersive, contemporary broadcast perspectives on how the war was reported and perceived in real-time. Crucially, the inclusion of “rare Vietnamese footage” signals an effort to incorporate non-American visual records, moving beyond a solely U.S.-centric viewpoint. Declassified government records hint at explorations of official decision-making processes and potentially hidden histories.
Director Brian Knappenberger highlighted the use of recordings of Presidents Johnson and Nixon, obtained with assistance from the Miller Center’s presidential recordings program. These tapes are presented as revealing a “stark contrast” and “disconnect” between leaders’ public statements and their private assessments – particularly their understanding, concealed from the public, that the war was potentially an unwinnable “lost cause” they couldn’t admit. The implication is clear: the erosion of public faith, a defining feature of the war’s aftermath, was significantly driven by deliberate deception originating at the highest levels, often fueled by domestic electoral politics.
It is framed as a fundamental “political and cultural reckoning” that irrevocably reshaped America. The narrative intends to explore the war’s profound impact on American identity, its role in exposing and exacerbating divisions within society, and its contribution to an enduring cynicism towards political leadership. Trailer commentary speaks of America losing its “moral compass” during the conflict.
Furthermore, the series explicitly aims to amplify “often-overlooked perspectives.” The series moves beyond traditional military and political histories to include less commonly heard voices, encompassing diverse Vietnamese experiences and critical viewpoints from those who served, such as veterans who later became anti-war activists. The focus extends to the profound human cost, impacting “countless individuals,” and delves into the “unresolved wounds” left by the conflict. Descriptions promise “haunting archival footage” and “raw interviews,” underscoring an exploration of the war’s deep emotional and psychological toll.
By juxtaposing high-level sources like White House tapes and official documents with ground-level perspectives from archival footage and personal interviews, the series seems poised to create a powerful narrative tension. This contrast between the strategic calculations and deceptions of policymakers and the brutal realities and moral dilemmas faced by soldiers and civilians will likely serve to reinforce the central theme of a profound political and cultural reckoning.
Creators, Voices, and Perspectives
Brian Knappenberger serves as director and executive producer, continuing his role as a key architect of the “Turning Point” franchise. Known for works like “The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz,” Knappenberger has shown an interest in tackling complex subjects with contemporary resonance. His approach in previous “Turning Point” installments involved aims like countering historical misinformation surrounding the Cold War and exploring the long-term geopolitical reverberations of the 9/11 attacks. His stated focus for the Vietnam series on the disconnect between presidential statements and private beliefs, and the resultant erosion of trust, aligns with this pattern of connecting historical analysis to enduring societal issues.
A significant addition to the creative team for this specific series is Series Producer Đoan Hoàng Curtis. Curtis is a Vietnamese-American filmmaker, oral historian, and, notably, a survivor of the war who was airlifted out of Saigon with her family during the chaotic final moments. Her acclaimed personal documentary, “Oh, Saigon: A War in the Family,” explored the deep divisions the conflict created within her own family, where relatives fought on opposing sides. Curtis’s involvement lends substantial credibility to the series’ stated goal of amplifying “overlooked perspectives.” Her presence suggests a deliberate effort to incorporate a more nuanced understanding of the Vietnamese experience, potentially addressing criticisms leveled at past documentaries for being overly U.S.-centric. Her expertise as an oral historian may also shape the series’ handling of personal testimony, adding layers of depth and empathy.
The series also features interviews with American veterans whose life trajectories were profoundly altered by the war, highlighting the theme of personal transformation amidst national upheaval. Among those featured are:
- Scott Camil: A Marine who, upon realizing the extent of government deception, became a prominent anti-war activist and leader in Veterans For Peace.
- Scott Shimabukuro: A Japanese-American Marine who confronted racism within the military, testified about war crimes during the Winter Soldier Investigation, and co-founded an outreach program for Asian-American veterans.
- Jan Barry Crumb: Initially drawn to the military seeking adventure, he became disillusioned, resigned from West Point, co-founded Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), and pursued a writing career focused on war and peace.
- Everett Alvarez Jr.: The first American pilot shot down over North Vietnam, who endured over eight years as a prisoner of war before returning to a distinguished career in public service and business.
These veterans are presented not merely as witnesses to combat but as individuals who underwent profound personal reckonings. Their stories – involving disillusionment, activism born from betrayal, survival against immense odds, and confronting racism – serve as powerful human anchors for the series’ broader themes. By focusing on veterans who actively questioned the war and its justifications, the series likely moves beyond simplistic narratives of heroism to explore the complex moral, psychological, and political fallout of the conflict, reinforcing the idea of a deep societal rupture and the shattering of trust.
Our Take
Five hours might seem like a long time to spend in front of the TV, but this time, it’s worth it. It analyzes the reasons and causes behind the U.S. entry, the preceding situation of a divided Vietnam, and the events that brought chaos to Saigon. It explains everything directly and truthfully, leaving nothing out.
Then, it delves into the war itself, the public unrest, and the documentary’s central theme: the citizens’ distrust of public institutions.
It’s a rich, rigorous analysis that is undoubtedly worthwhile.
Where to Watch “Turning Point The Vietnam War”
