A Bright Shining Lie

In war as in life, the difference between truth and deception is what a man allows himself to believe.

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

Amy Madigan

Donal Logue

Robert John Burke

Vivian Wu

Ed Lauter

Kurtwood Smith

Eric Bogosian

James Rebhorn

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Les Mau

Todd Sible

Harve Presnell