Stranger than Fiction: The DoD and Hollywood's Relationship with Narrative in Vietnam War Films from 1968-1979
Abstract
Despite the widening reach of social media, film remains a central element of popular culture in American society, often forming lasting impressions on a given topic for those who consume it. Vietnam War films encapsulated the fictional narrative of America's experience at war, capturing the divisive nature of the war itself and society's understanding of what transpired. These films exposed the widening credibility gaps between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the public. Relationships between DoD officials and Hollywood executives mattered greatly for potential cooperation, where timing, personality dynamics and star power determined outcomes. Ultimately, the DoD lost the ability to shape the narrative about the Vietnam War through Hollywood films because the Army's version was utterly counter to larger, popular narratives. While policies have changed little over time, the dynamics of the relationships between the DoD, media organizations, and the public perception of that relationship shifted dramatically with the release of The Green Berets in 1968. A decade later, the highly anticipated release of Apocalypse Now emerged, becoming the first major combat movie about Vietnam since 1968. Controversy swirled around both the film itself and the DoD-Hollywood dynamics during production. Apocalypse Now marked a dramatic change in themes, tones, and narrative for the American military narrative, ultimately paving the way for the future portrayals of combat action movies. The period 1968-1979, and largely the Vietnam War experience, represents the importance of narrative in military operations, but more importantly in the future meaning of war for society.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 21, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1165661
Entities
People
- Raffi Mnatzakanian
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College