Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry (2004) Online

By the time we got to the Vietnam war in school it was always three days before summer vacation. My knowledge about the war is spotty at best, despite that my father's generation either fought in this war or figured out ways to avoid fighting in it. I am a Kerry supporter, but after seeing this film my opinion has changed from viewing him as merely an alternative to Bush to believing that this is a man with an intimate knowledge of the military and the convictions and experience to lead the country. I did not love Fahrenheit 9/11 (although "Bowling for Columbine" is great) because I felt that the vitriol was so obvious the film became ultimately unbelievable---so partisan I did not believe it could be entirely accurate. But when I was watching "Going Upriver" I continually found myself wondering what George Bush was doing during the time when John Kerry was fighting and then protesting. These questions have prompted me to find out more about George Bush. This film is not an "angry" film like F9/11. But I was shocked to see that while John Kerry was taken very seriously as a war hero in the 1970s by both the government and the media, it has been so easy for the Republicans to denigrate that image today. Not only is that wrong, but it seems sad that the American people care so little about truth and accept information so blindly.

Politics aside, this is a very well-made film, dramatic, and enhanced with a perfect score by Philip Glass. You learn not only a great deal about John Kerry, but about the Vietnam War and its aftermath, especially in terms of the anti-war movement. The film uses a great deal of stock footage to carry the story along and has all the appropriate talking heads. The present John Kerry is excluded from the interviews, which is appropriate. There is honor attached to Mr. Kerry in this film, but it can be viewed by anyone without feeling as if it were a piece of propaganda. George Ball has made a great motion picture that can be considered of Oscar-caliber. Since Michael Moore gave others room in the Documentary field, this should be considered as one of the year's best in that category.

It is 2:30 in the morning, and I have several hours of work ahead of me. The last thing I was expecting to do today was watch a movie. I did, and I do not regret it - worth the loss of sleep.

I have made up my mind to vote against Bush a while back. My line has been, "I know that Kerry is just another politician. I know that he is a demagogue who promises everything. But, he is not evil, and Cheney and Rumsfeld aside, I can't see who would be worse than Bush."

Now that I have watched the film, I realize how little I knew about Kerry. I've suddenly realized that not only will he be better than Bush, but he is one of the very few people in this country that are perfect for leading the US out of the Iraq quagmire.

I didn't know what this was about. A friend just said - "go see this movie - it's important". ANd now I'm saying the same thing. Check this out and understand that what you hear in popular media is not always the truth.

I just saw this film - very impressive and important that people see this. I don't know if website links are allowed on IMDb - if so, the movie is available as a free download at thekerrymovie.com.

If not, Google for "Going Upriver Kerry" and you'll find the place to download and view it for free. Well worth the time!!

Thanks for reading.

Like many others, I was impressed by the quality of this film. The focus on the facts, interviews and archival footage brought a sense of truth and an immediacy that won't be easily forgotten. I was especially moved by the intimate photos of Kerry with family and friends that conclude the film, that are shown during the closing credits. He is obviously both a deep thinker with a subtle mind and a man of strong passions. My lasting impression is that we have a unique opportunity to elect a man who understands the workings and even (at times) the necessity of war, yet is reluctant to send people to fight unless it's absolutely necessary, due to his own unforgettable experiences. His maturity and feeling for others have my vote! I feel he will be best equipped to get us out of the "quagmire" of Iraq, as well as to bring his statesmanship to bear on any future situation in this increasingly complex world.

This film was somewhat pedestrian at first, but as it got into the heart and passion of the Vietnam era it really caught fire.

During that time I was a naive teenager/college kid, with these events going around on the periphery. This movie helped to crystallize the past, as well as to connect it to the present. The statement John Kerry made, about asking someone, or someone's son (now include "daughter") to die for a lie holds so true today. Although Kerry has mellowed a lot in 34 years, if even a fraction the spark, the integrity and the bravery it took to volunteer for battle and then to see the truth and to fight for a just cause are still in him, I can be proud of my vote on Nov. 2nd.

It would be oh so illuminating to contrast the current president's past life and times during those same years with that of this impressively articulate and thoughtful man.

Very good documentary about not only Kerry but also the Vietnam tensions going on at the time. A lot of wonderful footage/stills - even of the young Kerry. It's clear that he is indeed a very courageous man as well as a man of high morals. Too bad that he now, in the 2004 election, keeps talking about killing as if that was the only choice... I liked the young Kerry better. We get to hear and watch people who served with Kerry. Stories of everyday "life" for the troops in the river delta. Stories of bad judgment from the top command. Stories of atrocities. All this is shown with carefully selected archive footage to build up a sense of what the feelings must have been for the soldiers, as well as what the views were at home.

Viewing this awesome movie, you get a sense of the incredible courage of John Kerry and the Vietnam Vets Against the War. The movie conveys the idealism and patriotism of the time (expressed by John Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you... ask what you can do for your country!"). It follows the soldiers as they go to war to defend freedom. They pay a very high price, many losing their lives (~60,000) and many more losing limbs or suffering wounds. We see their shock – they had come as heroes to give people freedom but instead are confronted with the great suffering and devastation we were inflicting on the Vietnamese people. They tell their stories, how they wished they could have come home with their medals for valor and told everyone they got those medals bringing freedom to the Vietnamese. But then they would have watched more young men be drafted to go gives their lives, their limbs and their innocence to go kill Vietnamese villagers. They couldn't just let the suffering on both sides go on and on. So they spoke up. It took immense courage to say 'We as a nation made a mistake'. They said it graphically, in ways that were painful to them, but the pain awakened the conscience of America. This movie shows us how their courage to speak an unpopular truth turned the tide so we could bring the troops home.

Before I went to the theater to see this movie, I felt that there really wasn't much difference between Bush and Kerry. Two hours later, as the lights went up and I found myself wiping tears off my face, I felt ashamed to have ever thought there was any similarity between the two. As a Baby Boomer I remember the Vietnam era all too well; this film brought it back home in the sharpest possible way. Those who are too young to remember that war would benefit immensely from seeing this documentary -- before the current "conflict" in Iraq drags on for years, the draft is reinstated, and thousands more young Americans are sent to their deaths to do the bidding of egotistical chickenhawks. Kerry's courage and compassion put the lie to the unspeakable "Swift Boat" ads. What is most disturbing, and most urgent, is how "Going Upriver" forces us to the stark, unavoidable realization that here we are again, mired in senseless devastation and waste of life, this time in Iraq. When will we ever learn?

Another puff-piece for the liberals, full of half-truths and quarter-truths. I can just hear Kerry dictating the script, in his ultra- serious intonations "I'm a MAN of INTEGRITY" "Stop the War" "I stopped the WAR" "I AM JFK" and on and on. Given Kerry's convenient lapses in historical timing, his over-the-top moralizing and his fondness for wealthier and wealthier wives, it's simply amazing he made it to the top of the Democratic ticket. But, I'm certain there's enough panderees out there that will believe the premise of this film because they come prepared to believe. But I probably don't know my place, and should be ashamed to be dissing one of the upper-crust of society, whose intellect and excellence far outshine mine, and who deserves to rule over me.

Going Upriver is a documentary film on U.S. Senator John Kerry that was based on Douglas Brinkley's best-selling novel,Tour Of Duty. It follows Kerry's military service record from his years in Vietnam up to the year when it was released during the 2004 U.S. Presidential elections when he was the candidate of the Democratic Party running against President George W. Bush of the Republican Party.

The film illustrates his contribution to the peace advocacy groups after being honorably discharged from the Navy which had an impact on his political ideologies.It provides significant events like Kerry's famous speech before a Senate committee, historical footage from the Winter Soldier Investigations, and coverage of the Dewey Canyon III anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C. The majority of the film is composed of archival footage, with much of it in the original black-and-white format.

Apparently,this documentary is the response to the Bush campaign's Swift Boat attack on John Kerry in the heat of the Presidential election.Too bad that this was somewhat released rather too late - two months before the elections - as it could have given us a great portrait of a man who would have been a great President of the country.While many would have considered it a political advertisement for the Democratic Party's candidate,it still managed to show the great qualifications that he has and the many politicians that do not possess.It also shows how the anti-war movement was effective as it was when it was represented by Kerry.It was obvious that George Butler did his homework to provide a great documentary based on Brinkley's book to provide the viewer of what kind of a man Kerry was.Too bad that not many Americans were aware of it and have failed to see it.It resulted to Kerry losing one of the closest Presidential elections in U.S history by failing to win only the state of Ohio and the narrowest victory of a sitting President by George W.Bush.

Sure, it is. But it's also a frank and insightful look into the Vietnam experience through the life of John Kerry in that period. The first part of the film focuses on Kerry's time in Vietnam, including the actions that earned him the Silver and Bronze Stars. Kerry himself was not interviewed for the film; the story is told by his fellow soldiers.

The second part (which is longer) looks at Kerry's post-service activities in the anti-war movement. This section makes excellent use of archival footage, letting a young John Kerry and his fellow activists tell their own story. The response of Nixon and his attempts to smear Kerry are also portrayed, and very eye-opening. This movie provides an excellent view of a time in which the country was split in half, a split that continues to divide American society to this day.

Not since "Hearts and Minds" has a documentary dealt so effectively with the Vietnam War. In this case, obviously, the main focus is on John Kerry's tour of duty there, and how it led him to join Vietnam Veterans Against the War. The interviews with his family members, wartime compatriots, and fellow protesters, really give you a feel for the era, and how it relates to the Iraq War.

If absolutely nothing else, "Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry" has infinitely more credibility than Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, or "Stolen Honor" (that pseudo-documentary that Sinclair Broadcasting tried to air). Of course, more than anything, this documentary not only highlights the wanton brutality of the Vietnam War, but also brings to mind the fact that George W. Bush never served in Vietnam, and thus has no moral authority to conduct the Iraq War in the manner that he has.

Truly a masterpiece of a documentary, comparable to "Fahrenheit 9/11".

George Butler's film on John Kerry did not gain enough press to influence the election or swing a large number of votes, but even now after the election this movie is worth watching. This movie is a profile of Kerry, but it is also much more. It tells the stories of the men who served with him and what they really think of this man's courage.

Sadly, If John Kerry had spoke in 2004 like he spoke in 1974, then today he would be our President. Kerry's words, as this movie shows, were clear and unsaddled by politics. The man profiled in this film is merely a 30 year old soldier activist, something he should find a little more of in his person today. This film is a moving look at not just John Kerry, but all Vietnam veterans. It sets the record straight on who Kerry was fighting for in front of the Foreign Relations committee and in the march he championed. Watch this movie and you will see the passion that Kerry had and still does have today. The whole story is cut together nicely with great music too.

This film should quiet those who doubt John Kerry as a leader. His testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971 make this film well worth the price of admission! Kerry's appearance on The Dick Cavett Show that same year is inspiring. John O'Neill makes an "amusing" cameo. It is no exaggeration that the upcoming election (November 2004) is the most important presidential election in the last 144 years. This film offers background information on one of the candidates. For those sitting on the fence, go see this film now! What are you waiting for? Also of interest is the soundtrack - a hodgepodge of popular music from the past and present. NOTE: Best if viewed from a dentist's chair.

Watching George Butler's riveting documentary about John Kerry's tour of duty in Vietnam is an ineffably sad but ultimately inspiring viewing experience. Using archival photos, super 8 film and television video footage from the Vietnam War era, director Butler weaves a tale of one man's heroic journey into a real life Heart of Darkness more immediate and powerful than anything Francis Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" was able to muster. Beginning with his student days at Yale, John Kerry possessed qualities of leadership that belied most young men of his generation. His heroic actions in Vietnam are amply described by fellow comrades-in-arms, one of whom gives an electrifying account of his rescue by Kerry under the most perilous conditions imaginable.

The most revelatory part of this movie deals with Kerry's homecoming. Vietnam veterans were not greeted with a hero's welcome; in most cases the public treated returning soldiers with indifference, even revulsion. John Kerry's compassion and fortitude in working toward giving his fellow soldiers a place of dignity in a cold and uncaring world is heroic beyond measure. GOING UPRIVER has been described by some as one long campaign add for a presidential candidate. That may be so, but if this movie is a shameless plug for electing Kerry to the Presidency, it is also a heartrending social commentary of a time that is inexorably fading into a distant American past. That past , in order to be kept alive, needs movies such as GOING UPRIVER to remind American citizens that the foibles of war repeat themselves unto the next generation. The young, eloquent John Kerry speaking on behalf of his fellow veterans is an unforgettable image. GOING UPRIVER is a mourning for the past as well as an alarum for the future.

"Going Upriver" is well worth a watch: if for nothing else, to provide a reality check about the horrors of war. The movie provides further documentation on reality of Kerry's (and other Veterans') experience on the swiftboats and other arenas of Vietnam. Kerry's clear and consistent rationale for protesting, his solidarity with the soldiers and Vets, and the stakes of his decision to march against the war (many considered it political suicide for a man who was thought to be destined for a political career) were crystal-clear from the speech clips and interviews in the film.

On the other hand, the similarity of language describing Vietnam and Iraq, from recorded clips from the early part of the Vietnam War, was disturbing. "Bringing democracy to Vietnam" and "working with the people" so quickly became a war against the civilians, even in the South. The movie's transcription from Nixon tapes (Nixon ran a smear campaign against Kerry because of his popularity after the Vet protests) also showed that the attacks against Kerry haven't really changed much at all over the years. It's time we put Bush where he truly deserves to be - in the halls of impeachment with "tricky Dick".

I grew up in the '60's and remember well these times. So many people look back and condemn the ideas, actions, and turmoil hoping to consign them to a bad time which should at best be forgotten. So it now that the old adage about those forgetting history are condemned to repeat it. We were once again lead into to a quagmire by a president who hyped and selectively released information to stir fear and militarism. The characters have changed from LBJ to W but John Kerry is the constant on the other side. John Kerry is a strong and courageous leader. The film also puts to rest the slime being pedaled the Swiftboat veterans on the Republican side. The film was a poignant and honest look at a time when our country was being pulled apart by another war of CHOICE rushed into with arrogance. This should be required viewing by all voters.

The film does a great service to the good old USA. It is non-fiction, non-wishful thinking. George Butler has found a way of reminding us of the reality of Vietnam as part of the context for the Vietnam Veterans Against the War march on Washington.

If you are wondering, yes, there are some dead bodies (real ones). No, there are no closeups of people getting shot, but some film footage of firefights and burning of villages, and plenty of descriptions of death. There is one gruesome scene where US vets calmly discuss dumping Viet Cong captives out of airplanes. It's not obvious that that's what they are saying, indeed, I'm not exactly sure that's what they said, so children might not catch on, but this is a worry for family viewing.

The other important thing the film shows is how engaged the media was in those days. The Dick Cavett clips are wonderful, even though the recording quality is awful. The White House tape excerpts showing the president secretly admiring but working against Kerry were revealing, and well done with still photos of Colson, Nixon, Kissinger. I had forgotten.

The soundtrack was not as effective as, say, Apocalypse Now. The lyric interludes showing napalming of villages weren't as well shot either, and tended to be choppy in their editing. Indeed, for viewers who didn't live through that war, they might not even know what was being dropped on the people, as no burning flesh was shown.

This is really only the middle part of the film, but it had me shaking in my seat. Even though I wasn't there, now I remember.

As a child I vaguely knew of the war from the disappearance from the neighborhood of friends of my older brothers and the body count scores on morning news while I ate my cereal. Some young men didn't return, some did and words 'disturbed' and 'troubled' were spoken, but little else. As years have passed I've met many who served and read and viewed bits of history on this dark chapter of American foreign policy. To view the film and pay attention is to learn why a Yale graduate would enlist and find himself on a small ship going into harms way on orders contradiction Kennedy's ideal. It was a gift to the nation that this intelligent man returned to serve his fellow veterans in the VVAW and represent them before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We could use a few more like him. It's also appalling to see how John O'Neill came into the picture, in opposition to the VVAW. John would resurface in 2004 with Swiftboat Veterans for Truth and continue to tarnish the reputations of those who served. While I can't say how objective the film is, there are undeniable facts and John Kerry learned first-hand the consequences of war and is certainly a very fitting individual to place the care of the armed forces in the hands of. An interesting film which I prefer would be on television far more than Mr. Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.

This film is powerful and moving. It squeezes emotion out that can not be matched by fictional films. The film depicts a lot of Vietnam era footage, and reveals the injustice fought by Kerry after he returned home from the war. If you are someone who is unsure whether or not Kerry is fit to lead this country, watch this movie and decide for yourself. Kerry's astounding patriotism and his courage to stand up and fight for his convictions are made obvious by this film. There is no partisan bashing of any kind, just images and interviews. Everyone who plans on voting this election should watch this documentary before casting their vote. Kerry, the strong compassionate leader comes into his own as a reserved activist who is in touch with the best ways to handle controversy.

There are those who would prefer to marginalize this eloquent portrait of America's struggle with Vietnam and the impact that it had on our youth and our country's politics as a whole. they will want to say that this is a 90-minute ad campaign for John Kerry's presidential bid. they will want to say that this does not accurately speak for everyone and that it has no lessons for the America of today. they would be completely and profoundly wrong. if you can watch the struggle of these Winter Soldiers as they gather together to somehow make sense of what has happened to them and what they can do to not only help heal themselves but honor those still fighting on the front lines and be unaffected, then you are made of far more cynical stuff than I am.

As they find their footing and their voice, a young leader comes to the fore who has that combination of spotless pedigree, unquestioned experience, recognizable intelligence and polished communication skills to be a spokesman for their cause. The qualities of patriotism and courage that it must have taken to go to fight for your country abroad and then fight for your brethren at home against the very government that kept those soldiers in harm's way long after it made any sense for them to be there cannot be underestimated.

this is testament to John Kerry's ability to bridge those worlds and to do so positively to effect change in our system. When you understand the context of the times and the decisions that John Kerry faced as he grew as a young man of conscience at a time when America was under great stress, it is instructive to all of us as we see the moral choices ahead of us today.

I would strongly recommend this film to anyone who has an inclination to understand how our leaders are formed and how a call to service can lead America's best and brightest to the forefront of American policy and political action. What more can we ask of our political leaders and a potential President of the United States?

I went to see this documentary yesterday because I wanted my 22 year old daughter to have a grasp of the history of Vietnam war protests. I was not disappointed!

This film is, without a doubt, the best documentary I've ever seen. It contains a lot of archival combat footage, news footage, interviews with Vietnam vets. John Kerry is only in this film in archival footage. The film is really well put together-Butler may win an award for direction.

It covers the Winter Soldier project and shows you film footage of the vets who participated.

If you are 45+, like myself, this film is a very moving trip down memory lane. If you are 45-, it is very instructive about the history of the late 60's-early 70's. Whether or not you are a John Kerry supporter, see this film. You won't be sorry!

As one who attended a number of anti-war rallies from 1969-71, this exceptional and beautifully articulate film brought back many memories. It also gave me a much greater appreciation and compassion for the plight of those who served in Vietnam, particularly those, like Kerry, who came to question this immoral war after having done the ultimate -- to put their own lives on the line. Any doubts I may have had about the strength of Kerry's convictions were erased after seeing this film. It is clear that he is a man of high integrity with the courage and leadership and compassion to steer this nation away from the dangerous course of extremism and intolerance that now threatens our liberties every bit as much as do the threats of terrorism. I only wish that this film would be televised and I hope that millions have a chance to see it. Run, don't walk, to see this film before it leaves town! I would especially recommend it to young people to give them a deeper insight into the impact of the Vietnam war on the boomer generation.

Before my review of this film, let me begin by saying that I'm 33 years old and have never been very politically active. I've never felt a strong allegiance to either of the major political parties. Both parties have their strengths and weaknesses. Because this year's election holds so much at stake, I felt it necessary to digest as much information as I could, from both major campaigns and for the first time, vote.

Going Upriver is a truly moving documentary. It reminds us of how pointless war destroys both human life and spirit. The film helped me to develop o new appreciation for our veterans and the price they paid to serve our country.

Going Upriver gives real insight into John Kerry's character and helped me to understand the backbone of his political convictions. Through archival footage, it shows how a young, active college student and natural leader loved his country, believed it's government enough to join the armed services and fought for what he'd been led by them to believe it was the right thing to do. John demonstrates his honor in battle, but also sees the ugly side of injustice. After realizing that he'd been mislead by his government to fight in a war which achieved so little at the cost of the lives of so many, the film shows how John Kerry stood up for the good of his fellow veterans and for those who were still stuck in the hell of a pointless war.

To me, the most compelling part of the film was the archival footage of our troops in battle and veterans back at home. It was gut-wrenching to watch the veterans dedicate the tossing away of their war medals in tears and anguish during an emotional ceremony at the nation's capital. It was at the same time very beautiful to see them completely reject the lies told by their commander-in-chief to the degree of throwing away what was for many, all they had to show for their years of service.

After viewing Going Upriver, I feel that I have a MUCH greater understanding of John Kerry's political and strategical tactics. I know that he has exactly what it takes to lead a country in a time or war. He's been through hell and spent a much longer period of time than his political opponent working for the good of the country and his fellow man. He knows what it feels like to be under fire in combat behind enemy lines. After viewing the film and seeing what he's been through, John Kerry words have taken on a deeper meaning to me. I've never trusted politicians much, as they make great promises only to break them after getting elected. But John Kerry has lived the same convictions that he talks about today for over 30 years. He can back up what he says with his past actions.

Even if you're not politically active, see this film! It delivers a powerful message with regard to what our veterans have gone through for this country.

On a final note, although not completely identical, the similarities between the government's portrayal of, and actions regarding the war in Vietnam and the current war in Iraq are frightening...