The War at Home (1979)

Synopsis: This riveting documentary vividly chronicles the antiwar protest movement of the 1960s and '70s, which grew into a genuine people's revolt as the Vietnam War escalated. Centered around the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the film... This riveting documentary vividly chronicles the antiwar protest movement of the 1960s and '70s, which grew into a genuine people's revolt as the Vietnam War escalated. Centered around the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the film incorporates a mixture of news and television reports--including advertisements and political announcements--harrowing footage of riots at the university, and interviews with activists, campus leaders, and local police. The film starts with a '63 newsreel that portrays Madison as the "number one spot to live," and gradually shows how the students' anger and outrage heats up. Their peaceful protests are ineffectual, and result in police brutality and riots. A prime example of this is the unprecedented violence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in '68. Ultimately, fringe student activism grew into a community, state, and nationwide outcry that was nonetheless unheard by a government who opted to "suppress the violence" of its citizens with tear gas and clubs rather than concede to their demands. Filled with fascinating archival footage and stirring songs of the era by artists such as Bob Dylan and Jefferson Airplane, this documentary from directors Glenn Silber and Barry Alexander Brown offers a galvanizing portrait of a time of true democratic crisis, when elected politicians and their citizens defied each other and chaos ensued. [More]

Director: Glenn Silber, Barry Alexander Brown

Director: Glenn Silber, Barry Alexander Brown
Producer: Glenn Silber, Barry Alexander Brown