Hearts and Minds
An uncompromising Vietnam War documentary confronts American power, racism, and militarism through testimony, archival footage, and the human cost of conflict.
Overview
A powerful exploration of the Vietnam War that reveals the human cost of conflict and the complexities of national identity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- confrontational
- harrowing
- mournful
- history study
- political discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize the film as a powerful and landmark anti-war documentary, while remaining divided over its openly partisan editing and political bias.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Archival speeches and official rhetoric are set against interviews, Vietnamese testimony, and footage of wartime destruction.
The film directly links American racism and self-righteous militarism to the creation and prolongation of the Vietnam conflict.
Vietnamese civilians, veterans, officials, and other participants describe the war’s causes and effects in their own voices.
Released before the war ended, the film presents an oppositional account of American power and the conflict’s official justification.
Films like Hearts and Minds, and why
The Fog of War
anti-war documentary filmmaking, archival evidence, and a critical examination of state power
The Vietnam War
Vietnam War history, first-person testimony, and emotionally confrontational political documentary form
The Act of Killing
investigative documentary structure, institutional critique, and disturbing evidence of military violence
Why We Fight
anti-war perspective, documentary realism, and testimony-centered examination of political violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Davis
- Release Date
- 1974-12-20
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (96)
Cast
- Clark Clifford
- John Foster Dulles
- Georges Bidault
- Harry S. Truman
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- John F. Kennedy
- Richard Nixon
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- George Coker
- Walt Rostow
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hearts and Minds about?
- An uncompromising Vietnam War documentary confronts American power, racism, and militarism through testimony, archival footage, and the human cost of conflict.
- What is Hearts and Minds like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hearts and Minds as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Hearts and Minds violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Hearts and Minds as graphic.
- What did critics think of Hearts and Minds?
- Critics broadly recognize the film as a powerful and landmark anti-war documentary, while remaining divided over its openly partisan editing and political bias.
- Which films are like Hearts and Minds?
- Films with a similar feel include The Fog of War, The Vietnam War, The Act of Killing, and Why We Fight.
- How long is Hearts and Minds?
- Hearts and Minds runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hearts and Minds?
- In United States, Hearts and Minds streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
