VHS : Dear America - Letters Home from Vietnam
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In association with Amazon.com
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starring: Tom Berenger, Ellen Burstyn, J. Kenneth Campbell, Richard Chaves, Josh Cruzedirected by: Bill Couturié
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301928243
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 6301928245
Label: Hbo Home Video
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Hbo Home Video
Release Date: March 24, 1995
Running Time: 86 minutes
Sales Rank: 6742
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1988-09
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
All the confusion, pain, despair, and even hope of the men and women who served in Vietnam is captured in Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. Read by dozens of actors such as Harvey Keitel, Matt Dillon, and Kathleen Turner, these letters show a more human story of the war than we see in most media outlets and reveal real people in real situations trying to explain or understand. The footage, some newsreel, some shot by the servicemen and servicewomen, reveals a tension between the soldiers' actual experiences and the presentation their loved ones received from television. The soundtrack weaves the songs of the 1960s with the readings to create a compelling aural snapshot of the time, which complements the video exceptionally well. While it's not a 'feel-good' movie, the viewer does get a sense of the indestructibility of human dreams. --Rob Lightner
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - VIETNAM DVD
I JUST FINISHED WATCHING DEAR AMERICA: LETTERS HOME FROM VIETNAM AND THIS IS THE BEST FILM ABOUT VIETNAM....EVER!!!!PLEASE BUY THIS DVD TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPEN "IN COUNTRY" OVER THRITY-FIVE YEARS AGO.....OUTSTANDING FILM AND PLEASE CREDIT HBO FOR SHOWING THIS HISTORY ON THEIR TELEVISION PROGRAMMING BACK IN '87....GREAT JOB!!!!
Rating: - Great DVD
I was pleasantly surprised when this movie finally came out on DVD. I am a Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and this movie really hits home. The letters, which were sent home by various Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen from Vietnam, are read by actors that were popular in the late 80's and video is added to the narraration, along with still photos of some of the letter writers. It is an outstanding movie, highly recommended.
Rating: - Great Film, Super Educational Tool, but....
I've been teaching US history since the late 80s and have used this film since 96 or so. My only gripe is that we can't get the original full-length version. What we are able to buy has been cut by over 30 minutes and leaves some big gaps in the story. Still, I give this a hearty "two thumbs up" as the best in its class. The students are always riveted to it. Not a peep.
Rating: - Used in the classroom
I am a literature teacher for sophomores and we are reading "The Things They Carried" written by O'Brien. This is a story of a soldier in Vietnam. The school librarian suggested this video as an introduction to the novel unit. All I can say it is an awsome video. My students were glued to the screen the whole time. When the last letter was read many had tears in their eyes. (I am from this era and lost many friends to the war, so I can also tell you that last letter choked me up so that I had to ... Read More
Rating: - Great video for information and education
I am a high school English teacher and I have used this video to introduce the Vietnam War to my students. We read Fallen Angels and this video definitely provides plenty of information to put the book into context. This movie is also entertaining enough to hold a junior level class's attention. (anyone who teaches knows how difficult this can be)
As a side note, I am the daughter of a Vietnam Vet and this really seems true to life.
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