With live footage that mirrors horror scenes from Platoon and intimate interviews that question America’s war motives, Hearts and Minds is an eye-opening documentary that explores a controversial time in American history.
Directed by Peter Davis in 1974, the film digs deep in to the many issues of Vietnam and the people who took part at both the home front and abroad. It portrays thoughts and feelings about the era in an honest and raw manner, giving viewers an insight that feels more truthful than what has been created in Hollywood. In showing two completely opposed views, we are exposed to those who attempted to justify our involvement with the opinion that there is “no one else who can do the job.” Davis capitalizes on the country’s ignorance to the criminality of the war through various politicians, uninformed citizens and what George Patton calls a “bloody good bunch of killers.” With scenes of dead bodies, naked children and demolished villages, we as viewers are undeniably forced to question the truth of our motives in going over seas. By showing our own men’s excitement in blowing things up and claiming victory as “our #1 ambition,” one cant help but to side with the left-winged liberals at the time who doubted our involvement.
What exactly was the war about? We are constantly asked to question our previous knowledge throughout the film and consider these new ideas in a creative way that compares warfare to football games. As a film director, Davis' choice of various people, places and events are startling to a culture that often prefers to ignore the truth.
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