Going upriver: the long war of John Kerry - John Kerry, David Alston, Douglas Brinkley, George Butler
Threat advisory: Under evaluation
Movie propaganda
Some men are changed by history, others make it.
Going upriver: the long war of John Kerry is a feature length documentary about character and moral leadership during a time of national crisis. Loosely based on the best-selling book Tour of duty by Douglas Brinkley, Going Upriver examines the story of John Kerry and the key events that made him a national figure and the man he is today. The film places particular emphasis on his bravery during the Vietnam War and his courageous opposition to the war upon his return.
The film traces Kerry's early life as a young man who chooses to enlist in the Navy and to go to Vietnam. The film reveals intimate, first person accounts of Kerry's war service through his own private letters, his eloquent journal, and the vivid memories of the men who served at his side. When Kerry came home disillusioned by the war, he and his fellow Vietnam Veterans challenged Congress and the Nixon administration. As Kerry became a nationally known anti-war activist, the Nixon White House plotted to discredit his leadership, but significantly could find "nothing on him," as Colson reveals via Watergate tapes. Despite Nixon's attempt to undermine John Kerry's political career during his 1972 unsuccessful run for US Congress, Kerry persevered, eventually winning election to the Senate in 1984 and receiving the Democratic nomination for President in 2004.
Persons of interest
- David Alston .... Himself - Gunner's Mate, PCF-94, Vietnam Veteran
- Dan Barbiero .... Himself - Yale Room-mate, Vietnam Veteran
- Douglas Brinkley .... Himself - Official Kerry Biographer
- Harvey Bundy .... Himself - Yale Room-mate
- Max Cleland .... Himself - Former Democratic Senator (Georgia)
- Bestor Cram .... Himself - VVAW Anti-War Activist, Vietnam Veteran
- Chris Gregory .... Himself - VVAW Anti-War Activist, Vietnam Veteran
- Richard Holbrooke .... Himself - Former US Ambassador to the UN
- Bob Kerrey .... Himself - Former Democratic Senator (Nebraska)
- John Kerry .... Himself
- Joe Klein .... Himself - Writer
- Michael Medeiros .... Himself - Rear Gunner, PCF-94, Vietnam Veteran
- Bobby Muller .... Himself - VVAW Anti-War Activist, Vietnam Veteran
- Thomas Oliphant .... Himself - Washington Correspondent for the Boston Globe
- James Rassmann .... Himself - Army Special Forces, Vietnam Veteran
- Lenny Rotman .... Himself - VVAW Anti-War Activist, Vietnam Veteran
- Rusty Sachs .... Himself - VVAW Anti-War Activist, Vietnam Veteran
- Wade Sanders .... Himself - Fellow Swift Boat Skipper, Vietnam Veteran
- Del Sandusky .... Himself - Leading Petty Officer on PCF-94, Vietnam Veteran
- Neil Sheehan .... Himself - Author, Historian
- Fred Short .... Himself - Gunner's Mate, PCF-94, Vietnam Veteran
- David Thorne .... Himself - Childhood Friend, Yale Classmate, Vietnam Veteran
- Tom Vallely .... Himself - Political Advisor, Vietnam Veteran
- Adam Walinsky .... Himself - Robert F Kennedy's Legislative Assistant
- Douglas Brinkley .... Author: Tour of duty
- Joseph Dorman .... Screenwriter
- George Butler .... Director
Cinematic intelligence sources
Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Theatrical report
*
Security censorship classification
M (Graphic war footage, adult themes)
Surveillance time
88 minutes (1: 28 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
Film: 28 October 2004
Surveillance images and posters
