Young Film Director Oliver Stone On Vietnam -- My Complete Interview

I have posted hundreds of clips from interviews I have conducted done in 1989 for my television series on the 1960s. Subscribers have asked me to post entire interviews. We created an interview style and one of my colleagues conducted this interview with Oliver Stone. We have a number of specific subjects to raise with each person interviewed in order to cover points in the 6 part documentary series. There were many interviews where we wished we could have talked more broadly but with so many to do and a limited budget, we went right to the points we knew needed to be explored. Oliver Stone was and is highly opinionated and that made him a good subject for our television series. Trying to present different points of view towards the 1960s and growing up in the 1950s.

[DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

You will find this Vietnam veteran's experience fascinating and very different from what Oliver Stone remembered –

[watchdog]

He went to Yale for six months and dropped out so he could travel to Saigon and teach children English. He then went back to Yale and left again to write a book. He then joined the army in 1967 and asked to be placed into combat where he later was awarded a Purple Heart(with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star and 6 other service medals. He catches heat because his movies push buttons that no one else has the guts to push. I respect that.

[brownpaperbaglunch]

Being in the iraq war in my 30s and watching this at almost 50 it amazes me how we have repeated Vietnam again in almost every way. Pointlessly sad.

[indianajones]

I’ve been listening to a lot of Oliver Stone interviews recently, he always comes across as very humble and honest. I greatly respect his Vietnam service and hearing him talk about Vietnam and his experience always makes me appreciate his films even more.

[coldhazzard]

Everytime I watch your videos I feel younger and older at the same time.

[dianealbrecht]

Vietnam was horrible. I was married to a Vietnam vet. He's gone now. RIP to all who served, especially those that didn't come back. Thank you for your service.

[CT-oddl]

Oliver Stone seems like the best of New York City. Privileged yet deeply curious mixed with a light seriousness that seems earthy. Like a rich kid but you only know after someone tells you. I love his films. A true genius filmmaker.

[jovanblom]

This is a tremendous interview. I see Oliver Stone differently now, and will (re-)watch his movies differently also. Thank you.

[summerland]

Question Authority. Its still relevant today. More than ever.

[bethelshiloh]

Born on the 4th of July, hardest movie I ever saw. Stayed depressed for days after. My brother went to Nam and it just ripped my heart out.

[lilycd]

This interview was drawing out feelings from the 60s, it was bittersweet...I remember as a kid standing at a bus terminal in San Francisco with another family that had sent their son to war ..there was fear. My parents tried to comfort the other family. It felt like death had already come...the young man came home and is living with his family in Oregon ...

[gueronopalero]

A man can read, remember and repeat and people call him smart. A man who lives it can tell the story and spread his wisdom. What a great video, thank you for sharing

[lard_lad_AU]

I was expecting Oliver Stone to talk for 40 minutes about the gruesome meat grinder of Vietnam. But like a true Vietnam vet, he spends as little time as possible on the subject.
We must never forget what these men went through or how the country treated them when they came home.

[fd]

At some point audio probably deteriorated due to passage of time, but the truth and humanism comes through clearly. I just wish such videos were subtitled for the missing parts, and aired by major channels like History, Amazon Prime and Sony. This is our national treasure. Thank you for connecting with Mr. Stone and asking the right questions.

[topfeedcoco]

I hate Hollywood in general, but OS is a very special person. Great interview. ... again after 6-7 years

[Caperhere]

This is wonderful. Oliver Stone is so open, insightful, informed, intelligent. I miss and long for public discourse about society.
Thank you.

[marquisekirkland]

Great video, I only wish it didn’t skip at times. Oliver stone always has intelligent things to say.

[WarHorsesRising]

Oliver Stone is a very bright and perceptive man with keen observations. He is articulate in his ability to communicate deep thoughts and listens well. I like his perspective and personality.

[rhunteri]

What is most interesting about this interview is that it was BEFORE the release of JFK, but after Platoon, and Born on the 4th of July.Oliver Stone is an awesome director, with a brilliant mind, and a moral and intellectually honest character. A truly rare combination, indeed.

[akimbominer]

It's one thing to read about history, the medium of film really hits differently. Thank you for capturing these moments, they are truly priceless.