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| Going Upriver - The Long War of John Kerry | 
 enlarge | Director: George Butler (ii)
Actors: David Alston, Chris Gregory (iii), Bobby Muller, Joe Klein, Dick Cavett
Studio: Non Fiction Films
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $1.72
You Save: $13.23 (88%)
New (27) Used (28) from $1.72
Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 51239
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 88
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: DNFF9000D
ISBN: 0794205399
UPC: 720917900025
EAN: 9780794205393
ASIN: B000646MMA
Theatrical Release Date: 2004
Release Date: October 19, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry begins by juxtaposing beautiful images of Vietnam with horrific images of the Vietnam War. But though its depiction of the war is vivid--and the accounts of 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry's heroism, told by the men who served with him, are plain and free of hyperbole--it's his actions after he came back to the U.S. that stand out in this documentary. Kerry's involvement with Vietnam Veterans Against the War, for whom he became an inadvertent but eloquent spokesperson, required as much courage as facing the Viet Cong. Going Upriver gives a clear sense of the emotional and social pressures of the anti-war protests, where speaking one's mind became as powerful as firing a gun. Going Upriver's emphasis on post-war activity makes it an excellent complement to the documentary Brothers in Arms, which focuses on Kerry's swift-boat experiences in Vietnam. Though Going Upriver suffers from some soundbites that seem too tailor-made for Kerry's presidential campaign, it doesn't make other veterans feel like political props, as Brothers in Arms started to do towards the end. --Bret Fetzer
Description
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry is an extraordinary inside look at a politician, where he has come from, and how these roots have driven him forward in his public life. As a Vietnam War hero and subsequent activist, his story is a worthy subject for an important film about a defining era in America's past, and how it influenced a man and his dedication to the democratic process. This is, therefore, also the story of an American generation that came of age in the war-torn sixties, and has now come to prominence at the beginning of this century-when issues of war, and their historic resonance for a new generation of leaders, hold center stage. Acclaimed director George Butler has known Senator Kerry since 1964 and in 1969 began photographing him, in an effort to document his life and career. Using his unique collection of images, the film weaves together Butler's photography with archival materia, interviews with Kerry's closest associates as well as contemporary footage of him at home and abroad. As with his films Pumping Iron and The Endurance, the filmmaker prove himself as a master at portraying American men affected by and effective history.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...
 I didn't vote Kerry; I loved this DVD! October 23, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
 Context is important. October 4, 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.
Popular among US soldiers in Iraq June 26, 2006
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
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.
 So untrue and sad June 9, 2006
3 out of 28 found this review helpful
The Kerry's are so ashamed of being Jewish that they changed their whole way of life for greed, politics and power. A more important question would be - how come with all her billions Johns' second wife can look sooooo dumpy during that fatal presidential campaign.
 John Kerry's Tour of Duty June 11, 2005
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
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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