A Bright Shining Lie (1998)

A Bright Shining Lie (1998)

In war as in life, the difference between truth and deception is what a man allows himself to believe. 1998-05-30 United States of America 118 Min. PG-13
5.5 23 votes

Overview

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.

Cast

Bill Paxton is John Paul Vann
John Paul Vann
Amy Madigan is Mary Jane Vann
Mary Jane Vann
Donal Logue is Steven Burnett
Steven Burnett
Robert John Burke is Frank Drummond
Frank Drummond
Ed Lauter is General Weyand
General Weyand
Kurtwood Smith is General Westmoreland
General Westmoreland
Eric Bogosian is Doug Elders
Doug Elders
James Rebhorn is Ambassador
Ambassador
Les Mau is Colonel Dinh
Colonel Dinh
Todd Sible is Jesse Vann (19 years old)
Jesse Vann (19 years old)