Format:
1 Online-Ressource (video file 1:24:35)
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Sound, Black and White
Series Statement:
Socialism on Film
Content:
Part three of a four-part investigation of captured American pilots shot down over North Vietnam. Ten Americans speak about their activities and their attitudes towards what they were doing. [WARNING: Contains scenes of dead bodies and children.]
Content:
Interviews with American pilots captured by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. This film starts with pilots being asked about the types of bombs they carried in their planes, before showing children next to 3000 lb bombs. Pilots are asked about their children and the threat they felt from Vietnam, discussing their mission strategies and what they would attack. Footage of soldiers shooting corpses then follows; the pilots are asked about their willingness to kill with a pistol and talk about their feelings about killing. Footage of Lyndon Johnson with a baby is juxtaposed with scenes of dead Vietnamese children. Quotes of West German leaders supporting America are contrasted with stills of death and brutality against the Vietnamese. Pilots talk about their feelings about destroying things in contrast to the achievement of building. Discussion of the Martin Company and other arms companies. The resolve of the Vietnamese in rebuilding is shown. Pilots are asked about their pay and tax deductions plus the financial benefits of working in the army (combat pay.) The pilots also discuss the F1-11 and its capabilities, and whether the Vietnamese also had jet fighters and anti-aircraft capabilities. Pilots are shown receiving medical assistance although they destroy hospitals. Interviewees are asked about their religion, juxtaposed with stills of destroyed churches. Pilots are asked about Curtis LeMay's statements about 'bombing Vietnam back into the Stone Age', and about their feelings on what they've done. Comparisons are made with the German Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. The film finally gives an anatomy of a cluster bomb, and pilots are asked about how the bombs work - one pilot is given part of a bomb to explain, and asked about their targets. Then follows footage of wounded children, the story of a young woman who had a cluster bomb pellet removed from her brain, and more shots of innocent people injured or killed by cluster bombs. Pilots address their families and these greetings are juxtaposed with shots of dead or injured Vietnamese. Clips of Vietnamese school children in hats designed to protect against cluster bomb pellets
Note:
Archive Reference: N-504032
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Sponsored by Deutscher Fernsehfunk
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Reproduction of GDR (German Democratic Republic), 1968 16mm Comb BW pos
Language:
English
URL:
Deutschlandweit zugänglich
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