April 30 marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, a pivotal moment in modern history that left an indelible mark on both North and South Vietnam, as well as the United States. The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, claimed over 1.1 million lives, including 58,220 American service members.
A new five-part Netflix documentary series, “Turning Point: The Vietnam War,” aims to shed light on the war’s profound impact on the countries involved and its lasting effects on American society. Director Brian Knappenberger, known for his previous project “Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War,” believes the Vietnam War was a turning point in American history that forever changed the country.
The series features interviews with North Vietnamese Army veterans, former Viet Cong guerrilla fighters, and South Vietnamese politicians, as well as U.S. government officials and journalists who covered the war. Knappenberger’s team used rare footage, declassified documents, and White House audio tapes to create an unflinching look at the war’s effects, both then and now.
According to Knappenberger, the series aims to leave viewers with questions about more recent American conflicts and their parallels to the Vietnam War. The filmmaker hopes to approach the topic with respect for those who fought in the war, particularly soldiers who were unfairly targeted by anti-war sentiment upon their return.
The series is available to stream on Netflix now, offering a fresh perspective on one of the most pivotal moments in modern history.
Source: https://www.military.com/off-duty/television/2025/04/30/netflixs-latest-turning-point-documentary-no-holds-barred-look-vietnam-war.html