In an exploration of the morality of actions taken in the name of war, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE directs its lens to the 1968 My Lai massacre and asks what drove a company of American soldiers to commit the worst atrocity in American military history? Were they "just following orders" or, did they crumble under the pressure of a vicious war in which the line between enemy soldier and civilian had been intentionally blurred?
Peabody Award Winner
What drove a company of American soldiers - ordinary young men deployed to liberate a small foreign nation from an oppressive neighbor - to murder more than 300 unarmed Vietnamese civilians? Were they "just following orders," as some later declared? Or, as others argued, did they break under the pressure of a misguided military strategy that measured victory by body count?
Today, as the United States once again finds itself questioning the morality of actions taken in the name of war, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Barak Goodman ("The Lobotomist," "Scottsboro: An American Tragedy") focuses his lens on the 1968 My Lai massacre, its subsequent cover-up and the heroic efforts of the soldiers who broke rank to halt the atrocities.
This film includes imagery that may not be appropriate for younger or more sensitive viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Producer: Barak Goodman
Production Year: 2010
Copyright Year: 2010
Rating: TV-14
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 90 minutes
Audio Format: 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen
Content Warning: The following film includes imagery that may not be appropriate for younger or more sensitive viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
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