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Vietnam

★ 7.0/10•1987•45m•13•War & Politics•Drama
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The Goddard family is about to be torn apart by the arrival of Australian conscription during the Vietnam War.

Chris Noonan · Screenplay

Terry Hayes · Screenplay

John Duigan · Screenplay

John Duigan · Director

StatusEnded
Runtime45m
LanguageEN
First Air DateFeb 23, 1987

Episodes

E145m

Episode 1

This episode introduces the Goddard family - Douglas (Barry Otto) as the father, a politician in the Aussie government, Evelyn (Veronica Lang) and their children Phil (Nicholas Eadie) who gets drafted into the army and Megan (Nicole Kidman) the teenage rebel. At the age of 15, Megan is only interested in boys, hanging out with her friends and going to parties, and has to deal with her annoying older brother Phil winding her up! When she meets the charismatic Serge she pretends she is at University so she can go out with him.

Feb 23, 1987

E245m

Episode 2

The announcement of Australia joining the war in Vietnam rocks the family as Phil is enlisted and leaves to fight for his country. His family say an emotional farewell to him.

Mar 2, 1987

E345m

Episode 3

Once in Vietnam, the soldiers are pushed to their limits and beyond, dealing with landmines, civilian casualties, capture and the other horrors of war. The war puts a massive strain on his family back at home too - Douglas Goddard works in the Government and is involved in policy and decision making regarding the war, which creates tension between him and his family.

Mar 9, 1987

E445m

Episode 4

As Megan grows up and gets closer to Serge, she begins to feel frustrated at not being allowed her independence at home, so runs away to Sydney where Serge is at Uni.

Mar 16, 1987

E545m

Episode 5

Much to the embarrassment of her father, Megan and her friends become publicly involved with anti-war demonstrations, and Megan begins to challenge her father on his war policies. The family are re-united - on the surface - when Phil returns home on leave. Once her annoying older brother, Megan and Phil are now happy to hang out with each other, and go to a club together with friends. But it doesn't last long, as Phil has to return to Vietnam.

Mar 23, 1987

E645m

Episode 6

Megan becomes increasingly frustrated with her father up to the point where she moves out and goes to live with Serge. Serge and Megan are key figures in anti-war and draft resistance protests.

Mar 30, 1987

E745m

Episode 7

Her parents separate, and Megan introduces her mother to her new friends involved in anti-war protests, allowing the two to relate to each other in a new way and develop a real bond.

Apr 6, 1987

E845m

Episode 8

Meanwhile, on the frontline in Vietnam Phil is continuing to deal with endless horrors, and is seeing more of his friends die or become injured. When he is able to come home to Australia, he doesn't make contact with his family, and for months they are left without news of his safety.

Apr 13, 1987

E945m

Episode 9

Now an important part of the Vietnam anti-war protests, Megan is asked to take part in a radio interview about her groups efforts. Megan is informed and assured and answers questions with confidence. But she is rocked to her core when a man calling himself Tom calls up and immediately recognises the voice - it's her long lost brother Phil.

Apr 20, 1987

E1045m

Episode 10

Megan struggles to retain her composure, and tries to defend her protests when her brother questions her support of the troops. When he hangs up, she breaks down. Following the end of the war, Megan and her parents are able to be civil to each other again, and have a mutual respect for each other.

Apr 27, 1987

Actors

Barry Otto

Barry Otto

Douglas Goddard

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman

Megan Goddard

Nicholas Eadie

Nicholas Eadie

Phil Goddard

Veronica Lang

Evelyn Goddard

John Polson

John Polson

Serge

Grace Parr

Le

Mark Lee

Mark Lee

Laurie Fellows

Pauline Chan

Pauline Chan

Lien

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