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A Bright Shining Lie Details

1998 Certificate TBC
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 53 members

Based on Neil Sheehan's controversial book about the making of the Vietnam war, this film is told from the perspective of Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann (Bill Paxton), a battle-ready and enthusiastic military advisor. Upon his arrival, Vann quickly learns that political and social pressures are causing the South Vietnamese to .. Read more

Starring Bill Paxton, Amy Madigan, Vivian Wu, Donal Logue
Director Terry George
Genres Drama

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A Bright Shining Lie

Based on Neil Sheehan's controversial book about the making of the Vietnam war, this film is told from the perspective of Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann (Bill Paxton), a battle-ready and enthusiastic military advisor. Upon his arrival, Vann quickly learns that political and social pressures are causing the South Vietnamese to doctor evidence of their victories and local military brass to take undeserved credit for overhyped battles. As the propaganda draws America ever deeper into a war most people clearly don't understand, Vann takes issue with the corruption and finds his career in tatters.

Starring Bill Paxton, Amy Madigan, Vivian Wu, Donal Logue, Eric Bogosian, Kurtwood Smith, Robert John Burke, James Rebhorn, Ed Lauter
Director Terry George
Studio WARNER BROS
Run time DVD: 1 hr 53 mins
Certificate Certificate TBC
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Hearing-impaired English
Released DVD: 10 Sep 2007
Production year: 1998
Format DVD

  • Most helpful member's review of A Bright Shining Lie

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  • Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Too much like a TV movie...

    ...probably because it was made by HBO, so I guess maybe it was made for US TV before it's DVD release. It's not a bad film and the story is informative and interesting, but that's it really. There was plenty of potential in the story but ultimately the direction and acting failed to give it justice. And the death of a leading character was thrown in at the end as if it was of little relevance - it was very significant!

      • StewieJT from London
      • Posted 04 Oct 2007 13:08

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Rating breakdown

53 Member ratings
  • 100
3
  • 90
1
  • 80
4
  • 70
8
  • 60
15
  • 50
7
  • 40
4
  • 30
0
  • 20
8
  • 10
3

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      • Based on Neil Sheehan's controversial book about the making of the Vietnam war, this film is told from the perspective of Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann (Bill Paxton), a battle-ready and enthusiastic ...