John Pilger - The Quiet Mutiny - World in Action (1970)
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2011
- "The Quiet Mutiny" in 1970 was the first of over 60 documentary films by Pilger. Filmed at Camp Snuffy the film presented a character study of the common US soldier during the Vietnam War revealing the shifting morale and open rebellion of Western troops. Pilger described the film as "something of a scoop" - it was the first documentary to show the open rebellion within the drafted ranks of the US military that led to the withdrawal of the land army in 1973. "When I flew to New York and showed it to Mike Wallace the star reporter of CBS 60 Minutes he agreed. "Real shame we cant show it here"" Pilger said in an interview with the New Statesman.
www.johnpilger.com
Pilger was one of a kind; a man of great integrity whose honesty never waivered. It is always a great pleasure to see slimy liars(in government, the military and various corporations) and warmongering enablers squirm when faced with pointed questions by documentary producers like the great John Pilger. RIP!
Now they’re all ‘embedded’ reporters, pushing the official narratives, whether American, British or European. As Dylan sang, “Damn you masters of war …”
From a time when being a journalist was an honourable profession
Someone like him comes along once in a lifetime...legend
what a brilliant film with the right message which is relevant even now in 2024
John Pilger is a legend in the true sense of the word I enjoy his narration and the way he delivers it in his unique style his research is detailed, he always gets stuck in, peels the layers back to expose a true historical account of what was happening, the real situation and his work will continue to educate people in these troubled events but important lines in history. God bless JP.
Pilger wanted to assert his lop-sided vision on the world. He is confused; Communism is the real evil.
Pilger is revealing the war and not defending communism. He is a social democrat and supported dissidents in Eastern Europe against the communist regimes there.
@@richardlaversuch9460 Those that benefit financially from the spoils of war are the "real evil".
These (in)humans know no politics, just greed, and feed the "need" for war at every opportunity. They care not a hoot for the inhumanity, nor the loss of life.
- What a disgraceful comment you make. Had you the patience and willingness to view ALL of his documentaries... you would see that John Pilger is a TRUE journalist,... EXPOSING the corrupt and selfish practices of ALL GLOBAL powers industries and tyrannical administrations,... HE is a champion of the ABUSED under-dog, and exposes the LEGAL LOOP-HOLES all institutions utilise to side-step their legal responsibilities and or better still - THE GALLOWS.
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When British TV counted for something probably the best 30 minutes on Vietnam I've ever seen. Pilger defined a whole mood or simply reflected the reality.
This was the first and remains the best documentary John Pilger made. One reason is that, while Pilger himself narrates and is directly critical of the Vietnam War, the main focus is on the experience of the soldiers who are given a voice. Rather than being a strident polemic and taking the more predictable political lines Pilger took in later documentaries, though they remain useful antidotes to what is now reviled as the 'msm', here it is mostly the soldiers themselves who show how futile the war had become by 1970 and how morale was disintegrating. It shows too how US troops had seen through the war propaganda, could not see any real purpose of being there and who mostly just wanted to thwart the pointless orders from above, survive another day and return home. What comes across is the grunts are not there just to follow orders, have questioning minds of their own and are not just all baby killers and rampant murderers as portrayed by some anti-war protesters but ordinary men caught up an insanity not of their own making. They are certainly more in tune with the anti-war currents of the time than the higher-ups and politicians. The concert show with Miss World, as with so many other 'morale boosters', is an obsolete remnant of World War Two and a war that could be won, not one that had no clear acheivable purpose in 1970 and the resentment seethes from those watching it. The documentary concludes on a sombre and pensive note; the two soldiers from rural America we meet earlier on in the film talk about going home, one to 'start over' after he gets a telegram that his girl has died and the other as his wife is expecting a baby. When the camera cuts to an ambulance coach ferrying the injured-and maybe those who might die-towards the Hercules at the Saigon airbase, the viewer is left wondering whether they and the others shown as the credits roll down made it out alive. There is no need for overt commentary from Pilger, the scenes allow the viewer to get the ultimate point about the pointlessness themselves. And the faces of the soldiers, especially the one with the spectacles at the end, show horror and anxiety, as though they were permanently traumatised and looking out at the horizon for any deadly threat to come the next day. A superbly made and moving film; this film is deservedly regarded as a classic.
Amazing insight, I totally agree.
I think the style of letting the people tell the story is what made Vince Bevin's book The Jakarta Method, so effective. I too like this way of reporting.
Brings back memories, I was a teenage veteran, in the Navy in 1974 age 17, out in 1976 age 19, but feeling much older.
Incredible. One of the best documentaries I have ever seen.
This is up there for one of the most disturbing documentaries I have seen.
It got worse. I was there in '71. READ: "THE COLLAPSE OF THE ARMED FORCES
By Col. Robert D. Heinl, Jr.
North American Newspaper Alliance
Armed Forces Journal, 7 June, 1971"
Rip John, thank you for your efforts!
R.I.P John Pilger,
The greatest news reporter of all time.
And also wrote some great books I have read over the years..😮
I was an Australian digger in Vietnam in 1970. The impression I had was that the attitude of soldiers-rightly in my view- was that survival was prioritised over engagement with the enemy. You just had the feeling that a war whose pace was controlled by the enemy could not be won. Your death or injury would have zero impact on the outcome, so why risk it? Now Vietnam is selling electric vehicles to the USA. And it produces an awful lot of coffee. And it still will not be dominated by the Chinese. From our side, the people who supported the war were , largely, those who knew they would pay no price.
In 1968 as a British student on a bus in CA, USA at the end of a working vacation, there was an emotional scene at the bus stop. A young man sat next to me and I asked what it was about. He said he was off to Vietnam under the draft. I was going back to safe old England. I asked if he considered dodging the draft. He say, "Hell, yeah, but I couldn't bring the disgrace to my family". I often wonder if he survived. Ten years ago I wrote to the local Santa Cruz newspaper in CA with the story but got no response.
Safe old england??? In 68??you cant be english then pal, and obviously full of shit, in 68 you could be conscripted to malaya?? Youve bubbled yourself there mate...
Great post.
Like the guy above me, I think this is a great post. It’s sad that they weren’t even interested enough to follow up with some enquiries, but then again there are still deep wounds around Vietnam, even after more than half a century.
@@oleggorky906they would never follow up, they’re probably a bunch of f@t women working there chasing stories on kardashians
What can be said about the stupidity of sending 18 years old men off to war but not letting them buy beer?
What can be said about the stupidity of sending 18 years old men off to war
You’re really not a man at 18. At least not mentally! That’s the whole problem!
"What can be said about the stupidity of sending 18 years old men off to war". Umm, well for one those that send them off, and their puppet masters make millions/ billions, with the added bonus for those that believe in eugenics.
The final sequence just sent a phenomenal shiver down my spine. It's difficult to be able to convey the complex emotions there, but WIA managed to do it without so much as a word and over the course of 2 minutes.
War is a racket- Gen. Smedly Butler
Great documentary, love the way Pilger narrates. Really depressing and somber, but shows the reality of the war at that time.
it depressed me
Amazing documentary. It brings home how Vietnam was for the grunts.
One of the great legends of journalism. Like Robert Fisk. They were of the past. Media control ensures that the likes of them will never live again.
I've watched this several times. It's truly an excellent documentary!
@Duffy Bordeaux It's not propaganda at all I was there doing that time and it is true.
John Pilger, one of if not one best narrator ever!
Imagine a Daily Mirror journalist presenting a serious current affairs programme these days? They'd probably be looking for a "footy" angle or whether Rod Stewart had recently been to Vietnam for his holidays...
Pilger,,,,hero.
the Wandering Soul is awesome
This just makes you cry...
World in action. . . Never again. The theme tune was killer too.
600 likes. Should have 6000
When i was in the british army i read 2 books which changed me, robert tressel the rwgged trousered philanthropist and john pilgers, heros, ive been a die hard socialist ever since
Between the making of this film and 1975, 9, 586 American"grunts died in combat. I wonder if any of the grunts in Camp Snuffy made it home?
At 19:09 - "How many American casualties have been caused byh a mistake in the field?" The final stats: ("Misadventure"= "Friendly Fire")
Other Accident 1,371; Misadventure 1,326; Drowned; Suffocated 1,207; Vehicle Loss; Crash 1,187; Accidental Homicide 944; Accidental Self-Destruction (Drug/Alcohol overdose included) 842; Other Causes 754;Air Loss; Crash at Sea 577; Burns 530; Illness; Disease 482; Suicide 382; Heart Attack 273; Intentional Homicide 234; Malaria 118; Bomb Explosion 52; Stroke 42; Hepatitis 22.
At least Harold Wilson refused to allow Britain to be dragged into that war.
Was this program ever broadcast in the US?
I linked this vid on a military forum and the veterans weren't too pleased. It's a weird sort of hit-piece and at any rate they all said that men in this docu are from different rear-area units; they said that it wasn't about the 1/9 Cav despite the fact that there was a shot of the unit's sign. I believe them - that unit was too squared away, too good.
Wow!
This is when my father was in Vietnam, after dropping out of high school and getting in trouble, then being offered Jail or Vietnam.
Yuri it's called "Snowbird" by Anne Murray
When Pilger asks how many troops are in VIetnam it let me understood that it didn't matter how many were stationed but rather keep increase more grunts on the ground.
R.I.P. John Pilger
Rip John xxx
What's the music at the end?
Still amazing documentary today - all those young men sacrificed by a so called civilised nation for a pointless war for American credibility. The hospital truck at the end really brings it home and made me feel extremely sad. I wonder how many went home in a body bag.
A soldier killed by a friendly rocket is not a “mistake” Being in a war zone is dangerous and deadly. It is surrounded by bombs, guns, fire and soldiers die. Friendly fire KIA is a part of war, not necessarily a mistake. It happens and will never stop. You can’t look at it grey & white.
interesting ...
Insist the politicians are on the front line, then see how many wars we have.
I wish John Pilger was around to report on the pandemic. We need real journalists present at our own “5’oclock Folly”
This would never be broadcast now, what does that say about how far we've fallen?
R.I.P John pilger
Love that jingle at the beginning. "lets have some fun". Is it actually from a song?
Probably not. More likely an ad or jingle on Armed Forces radio or TV. If you ever listen to some of the programming from Vietnam, they had a lot of that kind of stuff, especially promoting R&R destinations. Some stuff on youtube. Look it up...
@@richrojo2010 Cheers for that will do!
Pat Sajak from Wheel of Fortune fame was a DJ over in Vietnam. Some of his Vietnam stuff is on you tube
Also check out Bobbie the Weather girl. She did the weather on Armed Forces TV in Vietnam. She would do the weather and then "Go Go" dance a little at the end to music...great stuff!
@@richrojo2010 will do! cheers for that
Oh my god that poor lad who wrote they were not fighting anymore so sad
What song is the blonde miss america singing? "Look up, look around." I can't find any song containing those lyrics in the same sequence.
Jake Anthony it’s called Look up Look Around Look Down Dont Get stound! By CarmeLa Vargz
@elrjames777 thank you soo much! I apeciate it tremendously! if you were in my country i'd hug you hehe! :D
Visceral
Where is Coleen from Wisconsin?
Any idea what the tune is at the end?
It's the theme tune for World in Action,a British current affairs documentary series that ran for decades on British television.
Hope those guys at the end made it home
Does anybody know who any of these guys are? Especially the guy who talks about the captain being shot?
The U.S could have told the VC the earth was flat it wouldn't make a slight bit of difference to them, they were a very fearless enemy and very capable fighter ,The U.S tried everything they could from agent orange to deforestation ,spraying other chemicals ,Napalm, and more bombs dropped on the North than the entire of WW 2 and they still couldn't defeat the Vietnamese ,in the end the U.S had enough and more or less fled ,they dropped everything lock stock and barrel pushing helicopters off ACC, The USMC were also a hard core fighting machine they won every battle but lost the war. The Marines should have got the respect they deserved.
Imagine if there were some Jon Pilgers amongst the media now instead of pathetic clerks
Couldn’t agree more. The 70’s had Pilger. We have Piers Morgan. I’d like to see Matt Hancock wriggle out of a Pilger questioning style.
World might be a better place
At 10.20 theres a guy saying "we the last generation going to do this" and i think maybe he was right , in Afghan and Iraq they got drones doing the fighting , not conscripted men .
We were professional soldiers. Well trained, motivated, and disciplined. Did the government ask too much from us? Two 13+ month deployments over 40 months was simply insane. But I would have gladly chosen one dog tired professional over a hundred of these guys. They’re not soldiers. Having them around would be catastrophically worse than not having them at all.
whats the song that is playing as the disc jockey goes "gooooooooooooooooooooooooooood morning vietnam!" ? thank you in advance to anyone who answers
The song is called 'Snowbird' by Anne Murray.
I wonder if that DJ was Adrian Kronhauer??
@@Aerojet01 thanks Rex. sorry it took soo long to respond bizarrely I never received a notification
so glad to have never been drafted into this needless war
Just imagine, Trump would have been a Grunt if he has not had bone spurs. But he had neither the courage to go or the courage to protest.
Courage? it doesn't take courage to invade a country. America was in the wrong in Vietnam in the first place. JFK and others started a war. And Trump is against war he's a business man and brings people together by trade. You are just a warmonger.
Also, Trump first president to go to North Korea and do peace. The first person to do middle east peace deals. YES, YOU DON'T NEED TO BLOW THEM UP. Abraham accord. And Iran, and other countries. Americans destroyed the world by voting out the best person to be born in 100 years.
Trump had more bone matter in his spurs than in his entire spine!
9:20 looks like Jason Clarke.
Forget ‘Nam? NEVER!!
Vietnam Vet 1968-69; bye 1969 we all knew the war was total bullchit. All we wanted to do was get the hell out of there.
As someone whos been in the army almost 2 decades, 3 deployments, this really hits home. So many similarities between Vietnam and Afghanistan, and no1 is talking about it. The Soldiers, the politicians, the American people said not another Vietnam ever back then. And it happened again just a generation later. When will we change?
The US doesn't fight wars to win but to give money to the military complex. Did you know the Taliban offered to surrender in 2001 but your country declined?
@@jumi9342 our gov is beyond corrupt. It's evil, plain and simple. It must change God willing.
@@user-lx1kw5tn8d Your country could need what happened to fascist Germany. An end to have a new beginning.
Anyone know the song at the end?
Very end organ meandering sounded like the intro to joe cocker's Woodstock "with a little help from my friends " Main theme song throughout was by Blood,Sweat,and Tears.
Gregory Kosins: Hey, thanks for the reply. I’ve since found it. It’s by Shawn Phillips and Mick Weaver. Here’s the full song, if you’re interested.
czcams.com/video/X4xu3VbG0-o/video.html
i bet north vietnam loved this
Based.
???
by the time he'd finished saying good the war was over.
It ended by 75
lifers here would be soldiers doing there colour service which i think is 25 years plus in the British Army.
That guy at 7:43 is the complete image of Colin Farrell.
8:04 that's why you are a grunt. And that commander does the thinking. If you ain't worked that out then you ain't got the brains to be a commander. And you will be just a grunt.
I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO SAY GOOD MORNING JAKE PAULERS
Watching this..... I wanna grab the guys and get 'em out of there.
I wonder where they've gone to.
12:56 what glasses are those
Simon
BCD
Damn, soliders really be shaming in the 70s. Officers must have been real shit back then.
The grunts were demoralized bc the Vietnamese were resilient and fought with such bravery. When you have a real cause to fight for, you're unbreakable and unbeatable. Americans soldiers didn't have this motivation.
They wouldn't be in that country at the first place.
War is fucking circus
Imagine the riots if they ever tried to reinstate the draft.
If the draft is reinstated women would have to be drafted and white women makes up the largest segment of U.S. population I'm pretty sure that it won't be brought back
Didn't see too many riots in the US with the government "pandemic" policy, so I expect the same would happen if the draft was reintroduced.
15,000+ more Americans and a million more Vietnamese died in the next 5 years after this. Before America left.
fuc*k]ng youtube just dumped my comment..........
It worked both ways. The officers fragged plenty of GI’s as well. Probably more privates were fragged by officers than the other way around. The fragging of officers gets all the attention, but that’s not really how it was.
A college educated blue blood officer wasn’t going to let some dope smoking, drop out get in the way of him going home to his beautiful wife and kids.
Ms America is pretty
Some of those look like they actresses of mid to late 70s?😮
The deterioration of the military is evident in that these guys could say that stuff and not get busted for treason or at least insubordination. They really didnt give a rat's backside for any ramifications. Sad period of history, sadder still that no politicians were punished for their abominable behavior in getting us involved there in the first place.
Maybe you didn't get the thesis of this piece. The goals were corrupt, right from the top. An insubordination grunt is a symptom of a problem that can only be solved when, in a democratic society, the people are served by honorable men and women in offices of power. That was not the case during the Vietnam War.
1:16
8:18
Is he english
He’s an Australian but with a slight English accent
he seems to be unaware of the old "show don't tell" maxim of journalism
Leadership... when you see any “Team” fail look no further then leadership. Obviously, Vietnam was leadership in Suits that failed the Troops. The hero’s in uniform were handicapped by HORRIBLE decisions of politics.
Bullshit! Giap called the tune, Westmoreland danced, American boys died.
When documentaries was documentaries not WEF propergander
#BeingSaneInInsanePlaces
#WEFResistance
#BBCResistance
This is a great documentary. But it's only one aspect, and I have to try and be a little objective. Vietnam was a mess, yes... but it also gave birth to modern antagonistic, self-righteous, opportunistic journalism - and this is one example.
You got your wish. We've been shoveling bodies into the meat grinder for almost 20 years to no effect, and no real criticism at all.
Grunts are the backbone of every army in history.
To this day, telling the truth is called anti American.
By '70 the quality and morale of the soldiers had hit an all-time low. This film shows that in detail. Pilfer gets no credit. A blind man would have found the same.
But a blind man did not report it.
A true documentary I was in Vietnam doing that time period different location but it was absolutely the same
I was there in '71, and it got worse. Read the article ''THE COLLAPSE OF THE ARMED FORCES
By Col. Robert D. Heinl, Jr.
North American Newspaper Alliance
Armed Forces Journal, 7 June, 1971''
As for one who served in Vietnam, you can’t help but wonder, had the press presented balance coverage of the war, rather than slanted to support their agenda, could the war have ended sooner and saved more lives on both sides. Their news coverage only encouraged the anti war activists giving hope to our enemy and prolonged the war. Just something to consider.
It's been considered and rejected. I recommend the book "A Bright, Shining Lie", a very readable account of the efforts of John Paul Vann, who truly believed the war could be won, but butted up against the reality of U.S. military and political arrogance and incompetence, and RVN corruption and the effectiveness of the VC and NVA.
So you think LIES should’ve gotten equal coverage with the truth. PITIFUL!
News is a business just as war is.
John has a wierd accent - is he from ohio?
Australian.
English ya skidmark
@@jdamyadick3659 You're wrong. He was born in Sydney in 1939 and moved to London in 1962.
slightly heavy-handed, but yeah...
What of it? i worked at 14,construction (Labourer) i wasn't allowed a drink,i couldn't even buy a packet of Rizla..
Get Adrian Cronauer doing the intro; "Goooooooooooooooooood Morning Vietnam!" Robin Williams was crap by comparison.
trevor millar Isn't Robin Williams dead?
That wasnt Adrian..Adrian was in the Navy, that DJ had on an Army uniform. Come to find out, Adrian wasnt the only DJ that opened his show with that classic Goooooooooooooood Morning Vietnam... others did it too. Maybe he was the 1st? Not sure