The Vietnam War (2017)

Why Watch
"Ken Burns delivers an unflinching, masterfully balanced historical record of a catastrophic conflict through intimate, deeply human voices."
Tone: Haunting, Rigorous, Poignant, Immersive
Where to Watch
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Series Deep Dive:

Directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick present an exhaustive examination of military intervention and domestic turmoil in The Vietnam War. Utilizing restored archival footage, classified audio recordings, and firsthand testimony from all sides, this landmark PBS docuseries deconstructs geopolitical missteps and the enduring human toll of the era. The completed narrative provides an essential historical lens, delivering profound emotional clarity and unmatched journalistic precision.

Analysis Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 445 days
Season: 1
Watched? # Air Date Episode Name
E1 Sep 17, 2017 Déjà Vu (1858–1961)
E2 Sep 18, 2017 Riding the Tiger (1961–1963)
E3 Sep 19, 2017 The River Styx (January 1964–December 1965)
E4 Sep 20, 2017 Resolve (January 1966–June 1967)
E5 Sep 21, 2017 This is What We Do (July 1967–December 1967)
E6 Sep 24, 2017 Things Fall Apart (January 1968–July 1968)
E7 Sep 25, 2017 The Veneer of Civilization (June 1968–May 1969)
E8 Sep 26, 2017 The History of the World (April 1969–May 1970)
E9 Sep 27, 2017 A Disrespectful Loyalty (May 1970–March 1973)
E10 Sep 28, 2017 The Weight of Memory (March 1973–Onward)
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Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type: Limited Series

The Vietnam War (2017) is a standalone Limited Series designed as a completed, finite historical narrative. This ten-part documentary represents an exhaustive decade-long undertaking by filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick to chronicle one of the most divisive periods in American history. The production involved gathering archival footage from more than eighty sources, conducting interviews with nearly eighty witnesses from all sides of the conflict, and remastering thousands of photographs to create a definitive chronological account of the era.

Because the series was structured to provide a comprehensive post-mortem of the geopolitical and social consequences of the conflict, it serves as a closed-ended educational resource. The narrative arc concludes with the fall of Saigon and the subsequent efforts toward reconciliation, leaving no room for episodic continuation or seasonal expansion. Its design as a finite historical record ensures that the story remains a fixed cinematic document rather than an ongoing television franchise.

Production Trivia: Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, this 10-part documentary series features nearly 80 witnesses, including Americans who fought in the war and those who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the North and South. The project took ten years to complete and features a musical score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, alongside traditional Vietnamese instrumentation and popular music from the era.
Oracle Insights Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 297 days

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Technical Details
Network: PBS
Seasons: 1
Years: 2017 - 2017
Genre: Documentary, History, War
Rating: TV-MA
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Frequently Asked Questions

No, The Vietnam War is a standalone documentary miniseries designed to provide a definitive and comprehensive account of the historical conflict. Because the series covers the entire scope of the war from the colonial era to its aftermath, there are no plans for a second season or additional episodes.

The series is a historical documentary based on true events, utilizing ten years of research and interviews with nearly 80 witnesses from all sides of the conflict. While it is an original production, a companion book titled The Vietnam War: An Intimate History was released by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns to coincide with the broadcast.

The production team filmed interviews in various locations across the United States and Vietnam to capture the perspectives of veterans, journalists, and civilians. Additionally, the series features a massive collection of archival footage and photographs sourced from over 100 different global archives and private collections.

The complete miniseries consists of 10 episodes, which total approximately 18 hours of content. Each episode is structured chronologically, beginning with the end of French colonial rule and concluding with the fall of Saigon and the lasting impact on both nations.

The series is narrated by actor Peter Coyote, a frequent collaborator of directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The production also utilizes various voice actors to read personal letters and historical documents, providing a more intimate perspective on the archival materials presented.

Directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick spent over 10 years researching, filming, and editing the series to ensure historical accuracy and a balanced narrative. This extensive production timeline allowed the team to track down rare footage and conduct deep-dive interviews with survivors from both the North and South.
FAQ Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 140 days