Going Upriver - The Long War of John Kerry

Rating:
Summary: Naval Officer & Anti-War Activist: Kerry's Formative Years.
Review: "Going Upriver" documents the experiences during the Vietnam era of current presidential candidate Senator John Kerry that shaped his personal and political life from that point forward. The film was made by George Butler, a documentarian best known for his 1977 film "Pumping Iron", that introduced the public to Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 2000's award-winning "The Endurance: Shakleton's Legendary Anarctic Expedition". Butler is a 40-year friend of Kerry's, who worked for Kerry in 1969 and co-edited "The New Soldier", a book about the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, with him, so this film does not pretend to be an unbiased account. Butler admires Kerry, and "Going Upriver" focuses on Kerry at his most charismatic and well-spoken, when he entered the public eye as an anti-war activist in 1971.

Classmates, fellow Senators, historians, Vietnam veterans, and journalists narrate Kerry's experience as a swift boat captain, patrolling inland waterways in Vietnam, and explain the policies and purpose of the boats' missions. It was apparently the military's "free fire zone" strategy that most soured Kerry on the War. This was the tactic of declaring an area a "free fire zone" from which all Vietnamese must be cleared or killed without clearly identifying them. There is a surprising amount of film footage of Kerry and other swift boat personnel in Vietnam. I was struck by how much photographed the War was.

Kerry joined "Vietnam Veterans Against the War" upon his return from Vietnam in 1969. "Going Upriver" focuses on his organization of the very successful "Dewey Canyon III" event in 1971, which thrust Kerry into the public eye from which he has never retired. Thousands of Vietnam veterans gathered on the Mall in Washington, D.C. to petition Congress to withdraw the United States from Vietnam and to rally the public to their cause. It was during this time that Kerry testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We see the testimony that made Kerry an instant celebrity when it was originally televised. Whenever he spoke, the 27-year-old Kerry was articulate, charismatic, and demonstrated considerable leadership ability. It is no wonder that even Senators listened to him.

At times I found it disappointing that "Going Upriver" doesn't directly address the accusations and criticism leveled at Kerry by John O'Neill in his book "Unfit for Command". But the film accomplishes what it sets out to do. It shows Kerry at his most impressive, the man who persuaded a nation that ending the war in Vietnam was imperative, and it makes the audience understand the personal and political forces that shaped his career. Instead of arguing with O'Neill point-for-point, "Going Upriver" includes audio tapes of President Nixon and Chuck Colson talking about recruiting O'Neill to "destroy the young demagogue before he becomes another Ralph Nader". Paranoid and dictatorial, but ironically funny in light of Nader's 2004 presidential bid. There is some brief footage of Kerry and O'Neill facing off on television, but I would have liked to hear more from both of them.

The DVD: There is a theatrical trailer and a "Director Profile", which is a 4-page text bio for director George Butler.

Rating:
Summary: excellent documentary
Review: A powerful and emotional tale, this very well-done documentary briefly outlines Kerry's childhood and segments of his college years. Testimonies and stock footage serve as narrative in this nicely edited and wonderfully directed documentary. By the second act, it begins a long and sufferably detailed look at the service of he and others in the Vietnam War, and the third examines veteran protest.

Footage from the era is everywhere, unforgiving, and tragic. Shots with bullets rising up from the camera serve as surprisingly interesting shot choices stemming from a period of tragedy. This footage is interspersed with testimonies of veterans from the era, recounting the Kerry story.

After a long and arduous journey through Vietnam, a large part of the film is spent examining veteran protests. We follow a group as they are denied entry into Arlington, march through the capital, and are invited into the homes of various congressman. After permitted to pay respects to their comrades, they spend more time marching around Washington, often sleeping in the parks. Soon, we see Kerry being requested as a spokesman for the veterans as he displays intellectuality and a distinct ability to manage being perceivably accessible.

This film gives a story of a man who actually contributed to his country in service and in a quest for peace. Its an amazing story about someone who made a conscious decision to actually care about the plight of his country, demonstrating why veterans are admirable and honorable in every sense of the word. It presents real people that inspire you to do something valuable, something with others in mind, and something that is irrefutably important. Its a film that demonstrates why you should care, and how important it is to stand for what you believe in.

Rating:
Summary: Our country lost a great opportunity on November 3rd
Review: After seeing this movie, I can't understand how ANYBODY could have questioned John Kerry's ability to lead this country.

I still find it just absolutely amazing that George W Bush could even be seen as being in the same league as this man- and this documentary confirmed it.

Just one thing ached in my head when I watched this DVD two months after the election- Where did the idealistic, charismatic and courageous young man that John Kerry once was go? I came to the conclusion that he was the same man, but just couldn't convey it during the 2004 campaign as persuasively as he did in 1971. Or maybe just that in this era of simplistic 5 second sound bites, he wasn't given the chance.

But make no mistake, He IS the Real Deal. He walked the walk when the President and all of his phony idealogues just talked the talk- then and now. Anybody can wave the flag. John Kerry understood a deeper patriotism, and more than rose to the occasion.

It's too bad this didn't get a wide release before the election. If it got the publicity and marketing of "Fahrenheit 911", I really believe it could have made a difference...

Rating:
Summary: Sets the Record Straight
Review: Amoung the smears, fears and distortions of the 2004 presidential campaign, the most shameful episode is that of trying to discredit the honorable Viet Nam service of John Kerry. How the Bush campaign was able to turn a man who pulled out all stops to avoid serving his country into the "honorable warrior", at the same time trying to destroy a true hero who served his country with honor, is one for the textbooks when it comes to sleeze. IF you enjoy fiction, read the book "Unfit for Command"....... if you enjoy the truth, please view this DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this DVD to understand an era of American history.
Review: George Butler has made another classic documentary. His "Pumping Iron" changed the way Americans thought about their bodies and "Going Upriver" will change their outlook on war and what makes a hero. Long after we have forgotten John Kerry's candidacy for president, we will still look at this documentary to understand the true heroes of the Vietnam War. It will be an invaluable tool for educators to explain an important part of our history as well as a case study in moderate activism.

Rating:
Summary: A Deeply Moving Portrait of an Important Time
Review: I just finished watching Going Upriver and was tremendously moved by it. The scenes of the young men dealing with what happened to them in Viet Nam are an important record of that conflict. And also an important message for us to consider as the United States is once again involved in a war with no clear exit strategy. It shows the formative times of John Kerry. And it shows him as a remarkable young man dealing with serious issues of war and peace.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely 5 star film packed with history
Review: I was born in the 60's but learned a lot about that time from this movie. And while I was previously leaning towards Kerry, I am now comfortable in voting for someone with leadership capabilities. You MUST see this if you are undecided or biased only by the right wing smears.

Rating:
Summary: Tears and Remorse
Review: The two emotions I've been experiencing since Election day. I saw this excellent film about two weeks ago and anyone with an open mind would have been moved by the powerful images and message. Morality indeed.

Rating:
Summary: A great story about a man who should be President
Review: This is a story about the John Kerry that a lot of Americans didn't know. This movie was only in selected theaters in various states which is a shame. It should have been put in every city and publicized as much as Faherenheit 9/11 was. It tells the story of Kerry's days during the Vietnam war and what an extraordinary leader he was then. People who know anything about John Kerry today would agree that he is that same leader today. I honestly think if a lot more people would have seen this movie, Kerry would have won the Presidency. The nation suffered a loss of it's own on the night of November 2.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Man Amzing film!
Review: This is one of the most riveting films I've ever seen. It truly shows John Kerry as a man of courage, conviction, and wisdom. If anyone deserves to be an important part of American history, it's Mr. Kerry. This film shows his strong leadership, even at a young age. I love this movie!