I didn't vote Kerry; I loved this DVD!
Added 10/22/2007
I'm serious. I am one of those morons who used to go around, circa 2003-04, saying "Kerry is scary-don't vote for him!"
No, honestly, those were my neighbors. I simply don't like politics; thus, I made fun of them all. Bush probably got it the worst, but not because I am liberal; I am not.
I was handed a copy of this in school by a friend, and I didn't want it at first. He said, "no, take it--it'll be great for your essay on Vietnam." Reluctantly, I took it.
Glad I did. He hasn't gotten it back. This is so rich with wonderful footage of battle and lure, you wouldn't guess it. Trust me, it's worth it for the archival footage alone. But, when this movie is put into context, it's a really great piece, capturing a period of time rarely this intimately examined. Albeit, a bit of a fluff-piece for John, it is ultimately more.
Great film, hands down.
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Context is important.
Added 10/3/2007
Like many people I saw the video-bytes of John Kerry throwing his medals away and testifying before congress, and they gave me a vary unfavorible impression of John Kerry.
This documentary puts those events in context, so by the time it was over I had a much needed education on the backstory, the events that occured before the sound and video bytes that were played over and over during the 2004 presidential compaign.
I know the point of this documentary was to glorify John Kerry, but between the context stuff I've mentioned, the large amount of file footage from the Vietnam period that I'd never seen before, and the great tunes that were selected as for the soundtrack -- some of which I'd never heard before -- make this worth viewing for the history if nothing else.
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Popular among US soldiers in Iraq
Added 6/26/2006
It's interesting how those who pose as being supporters of the US military and the troops had no problem with assassinating the character of John Kerry, who was actually in Vietnam while Bush drank beers in Alabama. I don't doubt that the medals many US soldiers receive are of dubious value, but riding a boat through Vietnam during the US invasion is deserving of some respect in and of itself. After viewing this excellent documentary, I came away with an even higher regard for Kerry and those he experienced that hideous war with. Kerry also deserves a medal for the effort he made to stop that crime of aggression. I've purchased several copies of this film and have sent them to US soldiers in Iraq who feel our country is on another unjust mission. The feedback I receive is interesting, with many expressing resentment towards Kerry bashers like Sean Hannity and Paul O'Neil.
I voted for Kerry, but I sent money to Ralph Nader's campaign because Nader does such a great job of challenging both wings of the establishment. In one scene of "Going Upriver," Nixon and his associates are sitting around talking about how they can undercut Kerry, because they said, "we don't want him to become another Nader." I thought that was a revealing moment. With private ownership of our voting machines, I don't doubt that some votes for Kerry and Nader went down some Diebold rabbit hole.
People who are interested in learning more about how the corporatists craft their propaganda will want to also check out the documentaries, "Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media," "The Corporation," and Eugene Jarecki's "Why We Fight." The right-wing noise machine has no chance against good independent film-making.
2 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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John Kerry's Tour of Duty
Added 6/11/2005
This documentary is dedicated to the Vietnam War era and the role U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate John Kerry played during his time in battle and his time as a peace activist. Kerry's early life at Yale, his time spent manning swift boats in Vietnam, and his post- war stint as an anti- war activist are covered in this film. The viewer is taken to the rivers of Vietnam and back to the USA to witness war protests from the 1970's as Kerry takes the lead in speaking out against what he feels is an unethical war.
Many childhood friends, war time acquaintances, and well- known politicians make appearances in this film to talk to the viewer about John Kerry. They are all biased in favor of Kerry, with not one of them making any negative statements toward the Massachusetts Senator. They talk about Kerry's greatness in battle, as a leader, and as a politician. There is nothing negative said about Kerry, and this fact could turn off some viewers who prefer a more balanced viewpoint. This documentary was released about five weeks before the 2004 election, and it was obviously timed this way to help Kerry at the polls.
Probably the most interesting parts of this documentary are those found near the end when Kerry has returned from Vietnam a disillusioned man, ready to let the people know how wrong it is for the United States to be involved in this war. There is one scene, for example, showing Kerry on the Dick Caveat show with Nixon's communication director. In this and other scenes, Kerry shows his knack for communication and articulation. He states his points very well, and his opponents are often left looking stupid, with no idea how to rebut his claims.
Director George Butler did a good job in the production of this documentary. The film flows nicely from scene to scene and many different people are permitted some time in front of the camera. Kerry and others speak (like Nixon, LBJ, and others), but only via archive footage. There are also some graphic scenes of violence taken from Vietnam, and this is the main reason for the film's PG-13 rating.
This documentary moves a little slowly in some places, but there is a good soundtrack of 1960's tunes from artists like John Lennon, Bob Dylan, David Crosby, and others that helps to keep the entertainment level in the moderate range. It would probably have been a better documentary if it was better balanced and/or if it included biographical information from Kerry's later days as a politician. But taken as it is, this is still a documentary worth watching. It shows how one man can speak his mind and make a difference in the politics of his country.
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A Look At The Real John Kerry
Added 5/3/2005
Some may feel I've waited a little too long to see this documentary. That it loses some of its purpose after the fact. In case you haven't heard John Kerry lost the election. But despite this I was eager to watch this. I think the subject is a fascinating one and can be enjoyed at any time. Plus, don't forget it's the 30th anniversary to the end of the Vietnam War. But that had nothing to do with why I wanted to see this in the first place.
Last year there was a parade of political documentaries making their way to theatres. There was of course "Fahrenheit 9\11", the best of them all. "Uncovered:The Truth About the Iraq War", "The Hunting of the President" (this was about Bill Clinton) and "Bush's Brain" (about Karl Rove) to me the least effective of these documentaries. But with all these documentaries I learned something. They provide some information I hadn't know. One of the main reasons I wasn't overwhelmed with "Going Upriver" was due to the fact it didn't say anything I didn't already know. Because the 2004 Presidential election was so heated I think those of us who considered ourselves informed voters knew all the stories going around about each candidate. This documentary was released at about the time th "Swiftboat Vets For Truth" were making their claims, all of which have been refuted.
As I watched this documentary I was struck by what I saw. I thought what a shame it was that the John Kerry of today could not match the Kerry of yesterday. What a great speaker he was at one point. He had such an eloquent way with words. You could tell he was standing up for something he believed in. It was personal.
The John Kerry we saw during the election just seemed to lack the ability to stand up and fight. How the Republicans were able to paint a war hero as a coward is beyond me. To hear people like vice-president Dick Cheney question Kerry's wounds and his medals is quite frankly disgusting. But why wouldn't Kerry defend himself? I doubt it would have made a difference in the election results but at least Kerry would have had the satisfaction of knowing he stood up for himself.
But this documentary doesn't cover any of this material. Kerry is not interviewed. He is only shown on-screen when old footage is shown. The documentary only follows the story about his activites when returning home from Vietnam. No mention is even made that he is running for president. I mention this because it's important that people do not think this was an endorsment of Kerry's nomination. Perhaps the filmaker wanted him to win but no bias is presented. It is a straight foward look at what John Kerry did and his intentions. It was an attempt to set the record straight. Because of this maybe, just maybe some Kerry bashers would be able to watch this documentary and not hate him. I'm not saying it will change anyone's mind, but at the very least it may help you understand him more. Maybe.
The John Kerry presented in this film was a man who did in fact have the mental capability to lead this country. He expresses himself in a clear thoughful and articulate manner and despite what you may have heard from Republicans showed the abilty to make wise decisions. And I think Kerry showed these qualities during the election.
I recommend people see this documentary despite perhaps already knowing the information provided here. It is well-made and informative.
*** 1\2 out of *****
Bottom-line: If you kept up with the election nothing here will surprise you but it will serve as a constant reminder of the man John Kerry is. And for that you should see it.
4 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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