
Feature film — 1998
A Bright Shining Lie (1998)
Something in his past keeps career Army man John Paul Vann from advancing past colonel. He views being sent to Vietnam as part of the US military advisory force a stepping stone to promotion. However, he disagrees vocally (and on the record) with the way the war is being run and is forced to leave the military. Returning to Vietnam as a civilian working with the Army, he comes to despise some South Vietnamese officers while he takes charge of some of the U.S. forces and continues his liaisons with Vietnamese women.
The note
Stay for the details.
A high-signal pick with 33 votes.
HBO / Labrador Films
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Director: Terry George
On screen
Cast & crew

Bill Paxton
John Paul Vann

Amy Madigan
Mary Jane Vann

Donal Logue
Steven Burnett

Robert John Burke
Frank Drummond

Vivian Wu
Lee

Ed Lauter
General Weyand

Kurtwood Smith
General Westmoreland

Eric Bogosian
Doug Elders

James Rebhorn
Ambassador
Les Mau
Colonel Dinh

Todd Sible
Jesse Vann (19 years old)

Harve Presnell
MACV General
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