Hearts and Minds Documentary: Westmoreland

This clip from the movie "Hearts and Minds" (directed by Peter Davis) has been criticized for juxtaposing General Westmoreland's comments such as, "the Oriental doesn't put the same high price on life as the Westerner," with a scene of a Vietnamese funeral. The juxtaposition has been called "cheap" and "manipulative" and critics have said that it does nothing but make viewers dislike Westmoreland. However, Peter Davis has argued that in no context would these words be acceptable or accurate and that Westmoreland in fact made this statement three times. Davis allows Westmoreland's own words destroy his credibility and compels viewers to question Washington's justification for the Vietnam War.

Analytical Papers:
www.trinity.edu/adelwich/documentary/papers.html

Viewing Guides:
www.trinity.edu/adelwich/documentary/guides.html