First Kill (2001) User Reviews

Definitely "new" views on war

[lidingo4500 · 7/10 · 17 October 2004]

The common war documentary only brings forth the horror and sadness of war and excludes things that might change that simple analysis.

This documentary on the contrary, includes the horror and disgust of war, but it also, importantly, stands out to be one of the few documentaries I have ever seen, too explain what I call: 'the libido of war' (which I did not know existed in war).

This is done in an exquisite manner by portraying soldiers of the Vietnam War telling the stories of their 'private agendas' out in the jungle.

For a viewer interested in the odd and at the same time open for new perspectives on all matters, this movie is a must see!

I can actually understand the poor rating of the film, the movie could be done in a faster pace, 'yes', more interviews, yes, and more facts, yes. But the the movie is 'new' in a very specific way, and just for that, it deserves at least 7 out of 10.

New and interesting insights on Vietnam and mankind in general

[snowbart · 9/10 · 5 October 2006]

This documentary blew my mind! By its content, but also by the way it's presented.

In between the interviews you get to see shots that make the mood of this documentary just right for its content. A bird of prey, a toy soldier and tourists visiting old tunnels. Every shot is well balanced and fits right in.

Since it is a documentary, its content is equally important as the way it is presented. And that's just the thing where this documentary stands out. You get to see people who liked being in Vietnam, people who don't want to go back because they can't kill people over there anymore. And every word is told honestly, without shame, pure and therefore exciting and alarming.

Fundamental questions about mankind rose on me after seeing this. Will people ever stop fighting wars when there are people who love every second off it? Is it wrong to love war? Would I be able to like it?

This documentary made me think and still does occasionally. Just see it and be surprised about mankind!

Together with 'The fog of war' this documentary is a must-see for those who are interested in Vietnam.

Good documentary. On YouTube now

[Akodi · 7/10 · 3 August 2020]

Interesting to see how Vietnam highlights the depraved things us normal humans are capable of.

I'm glad they didn't shy away from telling their true feelings about what went on and some of the more harrowing deaths they were involved in.

Of note, the full documentary is free on YouTube at the moment.

Journey Into the Dark Side of the Human Psyche

[Ebillhaney · 10/10 · 29 March 2015]

I stumbled on this film while browsing YouTube. The documentary is brilliantly and provocatively shot as it ventures into the dark journey for many American GI's that was Vietnam. The innate instinct to kill is explored with brutal honesty. At times, the film suggest an almost moral relativism "on killing" - in that moral choices become the product of time, place, circumstances and the unique experience of every individual. Without moral judgment, the film explores and suggests the genetic memory that lives within us all, a capability to kill that implies consequences far outside the Vietnam experience. This is a must watch film.

Superb

[seanmcallister-33230 · 10/10 · 2 July 2020]

The single greatest most perfect documentary on war ever! The Vietnam war is portrayed more from the individuals viewpoint and what veterans did to survive. Profoundly realistic and very well constructed. I watch this documentary all the time, going back again and again still trying to comprehend what the vets went through and the true horror of war. A must see for any fan of history, Vietnam war period, horrors of war and has an interest in the human physchology of war.

Unique and profoundly depressing

[antimatter33 · 9/10 · 21 June 2019]

This little film is a mirror held up to the United States and its citizens. What we see in the mirror is not pretty.

The interviewed vets are low on formal education but nevertheless articulate and thoughtful. So what they are saying cannot be laid off onto social backwardness and lack of moral centering. They are quite aware of the moral lines they have crossed and indeed enjoyed crossing. And they are this way because we are this way.

It becomes very clear on hearing these stories that My Lai was by no means the exception, and that the watchword was the phrase taken by Nick Turse for the title of his book - "Kill everything that moves" - get the body count. Any dead Vietnamese is VC and body count.

The film is a necessary counterpoint to the modern tendency to indulge in revisionist history regarding our experience in Vietnam. Aside from the intrinsically interesting material, the technical and artistic virtues are first rate. The music has a strange primitive quality that ideally matches the presentation. There are many haunting images the persist in the mind long after the film has ended. Highly recommended.