The Enduring Legacy of the Vietnam War: Its Impact on Popular Culture

The Enduring Legacy of the Vietnam War: Its Impact on Popular Culture

The Vietnam War has left a lasting impact on popular culture, shaping the way filmmakers, writers, and musicians have portrayed war and its effects on society. The war, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, was one of the most controversial conflicts in U.S. history, and has been the subject of numerous books, films, and songs.

Films and TV shows

The Vietnam War has been the backdrop for many iconic films, including Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece “Apocalypse Now,” which explores the horrors of war and the human psyche. The film’s soundtrack, which includes The Doors’ “The End” and Wagner’s “The Ride of the Valkyries,” has also become iconic.

Similarly, Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 film “Full Metal Jacket” portrayed the training of U.S. Marines before they were shipped off to Vietnam. The film’s portrayal of the brutality and dehumanization of war has made it a classic in the genre.

Television dramas have also used the war as a setting, with perhaps the most well-known being the 1980s show “Tour of Duty.” The show followed a platoon of U.S. soldiers as they fought in Vietnam, and tackled themes of loyalty, friendship, and the moral ambiguity of the war.

Literature and poetry

The Vietnam War has also been the subject of numerous books and poems. Perhaps the most famous novel about the war is Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” The book, published in 1990, is a collection of stories that explore the soldiers’ experiences in Vietnam, and how the war affected their lives.

The war also inspired a number of influential poets, including Yusef Komunyakaa, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his collection “Neon Vernacular.” Komunyakaa’s poems explore the complexities of the war and its impact on soldiers and civilians alike.

Music

Vietnam-era music remains popular today, with artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Neil Young all writing songs about the war and its aftermath. One of the most famous songs is Edwin Starr’s “War,” which made the singer famous in 1969. The song’s chorus, “War, huh, yeah, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing,” has become an anthem for anti-war activists.

The Vietnam War has also influenced the development of punk rock and heavy metal music, with bands like Black Flag and Metallica drawing on the war’s themes of alienation and aggression in their music.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Vietnam War’s impact on popular culture has been enduring and far-reaching. From films and TV shows to literature and music, the war has shaped the way we think about war and its effects on society. Its legacy continues to be felt today, as artists continue to explore the human cost of war and the ways in which it shapes our lives.