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A Bright Shining Lie
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A Bright Shining Lie

1998-05-30 · 118 min · ★ 6.0

Drama · War · TV Movie

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.

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Production details

Directors
Terry George
Production companies
HBO, Labrador Films
Countries
United States of America
Status
Released

Top Cast

Bill PaxtonBill PaxtonJohn Paul Vann
Amy MadiganAmy MadiganMary Jane Vann
Donal LogueDonal LogueSteven Burnett
Robert John BurkeRobert John BurkeFrank Drummond
Vivian WuVivian WuLee
Ed LauterEd LauterGeneral Weyand
Kurtwood SmithKurtwood SmithGeneral Westmoreland
Eric BogosianEric BogosianDoug Elders
James RebhornJames RebhornAmbassador
Les MauColonel Dinh
Todd SibleTodd SibleJesse Vann (19 years old)
Harve PresnellHarve PresnellMACV General

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