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Summary: Excellent Vietnam-era movie
Review: HBO Films presents this biopic of John Paul Vann, taken from the book of the same name. Vann was a former US army soldier who became a civilian leader of the war effort on behalf of South Vietnam. In addition to detailing the military actions that Vann is involved in, the film also expertly describes the many failings of Vann's personal life. Some people have criticized this film for being of the low-budget, made for TV variety. To the contrary, I think that this film was done quite well for a cable film. Of course, HBO is known for producing top-notch original films.The only beef I have with this movie is not production-related, nor is it expressed in the book, but exhibits what I feel is the bias of the director or screenwriter. The film explicitly implies that JFK was innocent of the war, and that, immediately following his assassination, LBJ instantly accelerated the war to mammoth proportions. The truth is significantly more complicated, but liberal Hollywood-types are well known for their honoring of JFK and distaste of LBJ. This political propaganda aside, this really is an excellent film about a little-known aspect of the Vietnam War.
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Summary: Bill was good---
Review: I have seen this film several times; each time I understand it better. However, I feel that it should have drawn out more as in a miniseries. More of the combat scenes would have been left in. Three-fourths of the film dealt with Vann's being a civilian/general in Vietnam. Not enough was done to bring out Vann's leadership and guidance during the early years. Paxton does justice to Vann, albeit time constraints. I suggest if you want to really get the impact of the movie and what really happened, read the book "A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam". Neil Sheehan gets down and tells it like it was; openly, candidly. Here's to the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles (otherwise known as the Puking Buzzards at Ft. Campbell, KY!!) US Army RET SSG
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Summary: Excellent.
Review: I have seen this film twice. Once before reading the book and once immediately after reading the book. The film is a very faithful rendering of a long and detailed book. The film is very well produced. I was particularly impressed by the scene where the B-52's huge bombs are dropped within yards of Vann's bunker. It gives one an idea of the massive destructiveness of these weapons. See it if you have any interest at all in Vietnam and American involvement there.
Rating: 
Summary: Less than satisfactiory film version of the book
Review: This is a well-intentioned biopic of John Paul Vann [Bill Paxton], a fascinating man who was intimately involved in the Vietnam War, both as a soldier and a civilian. It is a less than satisfying film because it attempts to cover much of our involvement in Vietnam [1962-1972] while simultaneously conveying a lot about Vann's personal life. For example, Vann was a womanizer. We see him with his wife and children in America. During his first tour of Vietnam, he takes up with a Vietnamese school teacher. His wife eventually divorces him. Later, he meets and marries another Vietnamese girl. These events by themselves could make for a complicated movie. "A Bright Shining Lie" also shows many of the highlights of the war, which itself is an even more complicated drama. The story is better suited to a miniseries. For more than a 'Cliff's Notes' view, read the excellent book by Neil Sheehan upon which it is based. Paxton is fine as Vann, but there are no pivotal scenes that define the character for us. We never feel we know him that well. Many other characters, most notable the women, appear for a while, then just disappear. The action sequences are exceptionally well done, especially for a made for TV movie. The film presents a point of view [someone who was a leader and an insider in the war] that's different from those in other Vietnam War movies, but it lacks the emotional impact of the best of them, such as "Apocalypse Now", "Platoon" and "Coming Home".
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Summary: A Bright Shining LIFE not lie; best depiction of M113 AFVs
Review: There is no better geopolitical/military Vietnam movie than "A Bright Shining Lie" (should be LIFE). We need to be glad that Hollywood has even made such a film of someone whose virtues they would abhor--in fact this is why LTC Vann's womanizing receives more prominence in the film than what's depicted in the book. To sum up the flaws in the film; 1. Too much emphasis on Vann's womanizing 2. Failure to portray the battle of Ap Bac correctly--the book's portrayal of this fight is more accurate, showing how Vann almost pulled off a victory by parachute airdropping ARVN troops to catch the VC from retreating, the film perhaps due to budget $$$ didn't even mention this aspect. 3. Forgets to mention Vann's successes at pacification Despite the film makers wanting to portray the typical Vietnam War-is-futile nonsense, the film makers succeed powerfully on the following points which are unique and vital: 1. They portray LTC Vann as the military innovator and maverick that he was. This is indeed Bill Paxton's break-out from comedy acting role, I hope he continues to play strong, intelligent heroes from now on. Jeff Daniels did the same playing Col Chamberlain in Gettysburg. He is THE role model for a good, technically and tactically proficient American Soldier who gives a darn and is willing to fight for what is right even at the cost of his career. Don't let Gen-X/Y revisionism and snobby film narration deceive you that just because Vann had marks on his record that there was "no career" at risk. Go ask Col David Hackworth about this. Standing up for what is right could get you prison and court-martial--reflect on Gen Billy Mitchell's experiences in the 30s. The montage scenes where Vann talks about "rice" being the center of gravity using different pieces of different briefings/speeches is brilliant and shows how hard he fought to rally the Army and America to the correct way to fight an insurgency. Another maverick military leader depicted was General Frederick C. Weyand, who single-handedly saved the day during Tet by keeping his troops nearby and not being suckered into the diversion the marines surrounded at Khe Sanh was. It was good to see the actor Ed Lauter play Weyand--a good guy for a change. Point of it all---one or two men can make a differance. 2. If you first don't succeed, try, try again A lesson the current generation doesn't know is tenacity and perseverence--to have them you have to believe in something strong enough to keep fighting. When Vann's Army career ends, he doesn't just give up. He stays involved, he writes letters, he stays in touch with Army buddies, he by staying within "calling distance" gets called back to active duty in an amazing way--back to Vietnam where though not depicted in the film, he has amazing successes. Read the book to learn about this. The lesson here is to NEVER GIVE UP. A lesson America needs now more than ever. Vann didn't whine that he wouldn't become a General, and in the end he became one. If your values are right, in the end, good triumphs. 3. The scenes where troops are fighting in M113 Armored Personnel Carriers are tremendous---correct me if I'm wrong--but these are the first depictions of mechanized infantry ever seen in Hollywood. The ARVN Track commander who without gunshields at Ap Bac gets shot into the troop compartment, and in a later scene, Vann's hopping into the back of a M113A1 using the troop door instead of the rear ramp, speeding to the American embassy under siege during the Tet offensive while bullets ping off the armored sides is priceless. If you combine the book's thrust that at Ap Bac Vann almost defeated the VC by 3-D maneuver using parachute forces and the film's depiction of the utility of shielded M113 armor protected mobility you could "John Paul Vann" an Air-Mech concept for today's battlefields that would be very powerful. 4. After Tet--the VC were wiped out--this film shows the military victory it was for the U.S. though a political victory for the enemy at home in the U.S. using 4th GenWar means. The war would have to be fought using external NVA forces and in the climactic battle, Vann and a handful of advisors skillfully use air strikes to stop the 1972 invasion, saving the day. I love the speech Vann makes during that desperate hour. Well, let's not beat around the bush, shall we? What is the importance of John Paul Vann and this film? HAD VANN LIVED SOUTH VIETNAM WOULD BE FREE TODAY. If Vann had not died in the helo crash, he would by his presence on the scene as the most visible and vocal American insured America would not have "cut and run" the next time the NVA came marching south in conquest. Vann would have corrected corruption and made the ARVN a better Army by not trying to just emulate U.S. Air Assault tactics using light infantry/firebases with tube artillery. He would have realized that the NVA were getting longer ranged artillery to pound the fire bases at will, surface-to-air missiles to shoot down the ARVN helicopters and saw to it that America supplied the necessary tools. Vann had the necessary military experience to combine arms more effectively (see how he almost saved the battle at Ap Bac) and the civilian political clout to keep America engaged. Think of British military protector General Charles "Chinese" Gordon played brilliantly in the film, Khartoum by Charlton Heston. Or General MacArthur in the Philipines. If America could have identified more with South Vietnam by men like Vann we wouldn't have turned our backs on them in their hour of need. The message of this film is clear despite the film makers wanting to in some ways discredit Vann: go out and live life like he did, care, think, and do not let evil run over that which is good. Live A Bright Shining Life. Airborne!
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Summary: A Bright Shining Lie
Review: This movie is one of the greatest movies on the Vietnam War.The book is [not].But the movie allows the viewer to make his own discisions.Such as at the end of the movie Mr Shehan is critizising Gen.Vann because he ordered carpet bombing on North Vietnamese Tank and troop concentrations(which is standard procedure)Mr Shehan didn,t understand the difference between conventional war and guerilla tactics.The movie is a tribute to one of Americas best .Whose life was sacraficed for freedom.And anyone who doubts that, go to Westminster "little Saigon"and ask the people who were South Vietnamese. Sincerely William Carney
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Summary: Paxton does it again!
Review: Bill has done it again---taken a seemingly boring topical script, and brings his own talent to the screen. You want to empathize with the character John Paul Vann in some instances; in others you want to scream at him to go back to his wife and kids. Obviously he doesn't agree. I never read the book, so I can't make comparisons. The special effects were good. From what I know about the Vietnam conflict (war was never declared) Vann could have done better, and the higher-ups didn't want to listen till it was too late in the game. Generals have a hearing problem when subordinates are concerned---I've seen it happen, that's why Vann was pushing so hard--because he was right in a lot of instances. Ah, well, Bill did well in a straight role, and I hope he does more of them.
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Summary: A real view of the situation
Review: 10 years after I've got the opportunity to read the book, I could watch the movie. Of course it is always difficult to resume a 600 pages book in a 2 hours movie. John Paul Vann caracter is very well described as this gentleman's life was tough and excited. His view of Vietnam immediately after his 1st arrival (1962-63) is well enhanced. No future to stay longer. As usual nobody at the military establishment did believe him...If they did so it might avoid America to lose more than 50,000 young men. Really so good. Paxton plays really well. Only critic is regarding the added features . So little.
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Summary: ONE OF BILLS FINEST MOVIES!!!!!!
Review: I would definately recommend this DVD. I was so happy when I bought it. And saw that it was a good movie. If you are not into war movies, you don't need to worry. Because it's more less a drama with some action based on a true story. The story line is excellent. You will enjoy this movie as much as I did!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst Vietnam movies of all time!
Review: What do all these people see in this lame movie? It has almost no combat (and what it does have is below average), The story's boring, and the acting is bad. If you want a GOOD Nam movie buy Hamburger Hill or Platoon. Forget this Pathetic excuse for a Nam movie.
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