A Bright Shining Lie - 1998

Something in his past keeps career Army man John Paul Vann from advancing past colonel. He views being sent to Vietnam as part of the US military advisory force a stepping stone to promotion. However, he disagrees vocally (and on the record) with the way the war is being run and is forced to leave the military. Returning to Vietnam as a civilian working with the Army, he comes to despise some South Vietnamese officers while he takes charge of some of the U.S. forces and continues his liaisons with Vietnamese women.

118min
1998
Released
Trakio rating0.0/10
IMDB rating6.4/10

Cast

Bill Paxton profile pictureBill PaxtonJohn Paul Vann
Amy Madigan profile pictureAmy MadiganMary Jane Vann
Donal Logue profile pictureDonal LogueSteven Burnett
Robert John Burke profile pictureRobert John BurkeFrank Drummond
Ed Lauter profile pictureEd LauterGeneral Weyand
Kurtwood Smith profile pictureKurtwood SmithGeneral Westmoreland
Eric Bogosian profile pictureEric BogosianDoug Elders
James Rebhorn profile pictureJames RebhornAmbassador

About A Bright Shining Lie

A Bright Shining Lie Overview

Something in his past keeps career Army man John Paul Vann from advancing past colonel. He views being sent to Vietnam as part of the US military advisory force a stepping stone to promotion. However, he disagrees vocally (and on the record) with the way the war is being run and is forced to leave the military. Returning to Vietnam as a civilian working with the Army, he comes to despise some South Vietnamese officers while he takes charge of some of the U.S. forces and continues his liaisons with Vietnamese women.

Runtime: 118min

Extra details

Original Title: A Bright Shining Lie
Original Language: English
Directed By: Terry George
Production Companies
HBOLabrador Films