The fall of Saigon
(DVD)

Title from container.

Originally broadcast on American Experience as separate episodes of the mini-series "Vietnam: a television history."

"The end of the tunnel (1973-1975)" originally broadcast in 1983 ; "Peace is at hand (1968-1973)" originally broadcast in 1996 ; "Homefront USA" originally broadcast in 1996.

Special features: Access to the "American experience" web site.

"The end of the tunnel": On April 29, 1975 - 10 years after America had committed ground combat troops to Vietnam and two years after a cease-fire agreement had failed to stop the fighting - North Vietnamese communists toppled the South Vietnamese government in Saigon in a lightning offensive that startled the world. "Peace is at hand": While American and Vietnamese soldiers continued to clash in battle, diplomats in Paris argued about making peace. "Homefront USA": Through troubled years of controversy and violence, U.S. casualities mounted, victory remained elusive, and American opinion moved from general approval to general dissatisfaction with the Vietnam War.

Program 2 examines how President Nixon and Henry Kissinger worked to end the war from 1968 to 1973, exploring aspects of this effort, from increased Vietnamization, the withdrawal of United States ground troops, the exchange of prisoners, to the spirit of detente with Russia and China.

Program 3 chronicles how the United States' years of heavy involvement in Vietnam changed America recalling how the country polarized into hawks and doves. The episode provides an example of the interplay between the reporting of events, public opinion and policymaking.

MPAA rating: Not rated.

high school/college.

9-12+.

DVD, region 1; Dolby Digital.

Digital videodisc.

Closed-captioned.

Closed captioned.