Rory Kennedy’s (youngest child of the late Robert F. Kennedy) latest documentary, Last Days in Vietnam, makes no apologies or justifications for the war, but instead takes an unflinching look at the fall of Saigon in 1975. Signed in 1973, the Paris Peace Accords sent American combat troops home, with the understanding that the North Vietnamese must not break the peace; otherwise, the U.S. would have to intervene with full force. However, when the Watergate scandal ended in President Nixon’s resignation in August of 1974, everything changed. The North saw an opportunity to test American resolve and launched an attack on Saigon on March 19th 1975.

Several thousand Americans—contractors, diplomatic personnel, security—remained in Saigon. As the collapse unfolded, many of these people, understandably grew increasingly worried about their South Vietnamese friends, co-workers and in some cases, wives. Despite mounting and apparently obvious concerns, U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin, a genteel man who had lost a son in the Vietnam War, refused to discuss an evacuation plan, believing that the South would somehow manage to prevail.

Meanwhile, President Ford, anxious to protect American lives and maintain honor, tried to convince Congress to approve $722 million in aid to help our former allies. Yet, even those who had once been vocal supporters of the war, wanted nothing to do with giving further aid to South Vietnam. Politicians knew that stateside, Americans were anxious to move on and put Vietnam behind them, once and for all.

As the North closed in, a number of lower-level military officials began “black ops” to help their South Vietnamese friends escape the country by stowing them on cargo planes bound for the Philippines. When the airport was bombed out, others escaped by using their own aircraft and a flotilla of ships headed out to sea. Though considered the least desirable option, helicopters were used as a last resort. With only twenty-four hours to get the remaining people out, Washington ordered Ambassador Martin to be on the first chopper out of the U.S Embassy, where many desperate South Vietnamese had stormed the gates in hopes of being rescued. Martin refused the first chopper, staying on to supervise the dangerous evacuation, leaving on second to last chopper. Though the Americans promised the Vietnamese everyone in the Embassy would be airlifted to safety, 420 people were left behind when time ran out—a failure fittingly presented as symbolic of America’s history in Vietnam.

The mix of photos, CG-animated maps to help define troop movement, archival footage and footage that until now had been in private hands is impressive. Mixed with interviews from American and Vietnamese military personnel, we are given a real sense of a real sense of the fear and uncertainty that surrounded the fall of Saigon. As you might expect, then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is along to offer his thoughts on a few things, but he is the one interviewee whose remarks seem pre-written or rehearsed. Last Days in Vietnam is highly recommended.

Presented in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, Last Days in Vietnam handles the challenge of merging multiple film and video sources quite well. While television broadcasts and file footage show obvious war and tear, it’s not a distraction, as it’s almost seamlessly worked into the overall flow of the production. The recent interview footage provides the best visual evidence of what the Blu-ray has to offer, delivering sharp detail and a clean image. Colors are vivid and well defined. Skintones appear natural and shadow detail is sharp and deep. Some minor banding is apparent throughout the viewing experience.

The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix is surprisingly immersive for a documentary, though true directionality is a non-starter. Surrounds are largely reserved for the score. Interview segments are clean and clear, with a bit more depth than expected. The sounds of war, as well as atmospherics come through very nicely, adding a real authenticity to the proceedings.

English subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

The set offers two cuts of the film on separate Blu-rays:

  • Theatrical Cut (HD, 98:26)
  • Extended Cut (HD, 114:21)