A World Beneath The War

A World Beneath The War tells the little known story behind this network of tunnels that saved thousands of lives. By 1967 every aspect of life was lived in these protective catacombs: sleeping quarters, schools, medical facilities, a printing press, nurseries, storage areas, a guard station and theater. Rare footage shows three levels of a complex which extended for miles with 13 entrances where more than 2,000 inhabitants sought refuge.

Audiences follow Pham Thanh Liem, an artist who spent his wartime years documenting life underground revisiting the tunnels with his son. He describes art he created on banners to mobilize people. “I did it as a soldier fighting,” said Liem, “with all my heart.”

Other tunnelers who speak out include a militia woman, a fisherman, and a doctor. The program contains a capsule history of the Vietnam War, known in Vietnam as “the American War.” The narrative by award-winning journalist Marlene Sanders, provides a testimony to the strength and tenacity of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances and the price they paid for independence.

“A World Beneath the War refers to the labyrinth of tunnels the Vietnamese dug in most villages to escape the American bombing of their country from 1964 to 1972. This enlightening film, from the Vietnamese point of view, contains black-and-white archival footage of life in the tunnels and current color shots of the tunnels today. Some of the tunnels collapsed during the bombing raids and became mass graves for thousands of Vietnamese citizens. Clearly and richly narrated by Marlene Sanders, TV News Correspondent, the film provides reminiscences of what life was like in the Vinh Linh tunnels and the medical/psychological problems associated with the war (arthritis, lack of vitamin C and D, mental flashbacks of bombings and atrocities witnessed, etc.). Many short interviews with Vietnamese survivors and one American POW point out the discrepancies in memories of what happened during the war. No stereotypes are shown, and the comments of those interviewed reflect a surprising lack of hatred for what the Americans did to Vietnam. The Teacher’s Resource Guide provides much helpful background information.”

The School Library Journal
by Scott Johnson, Meridian Community College, MS
December 1997

• National Emmy nomination for Outstanding Historical Programming
• Nominated for the Pare Lorentz Award by the International Documentary Association in 1998.
• Emergency Librarian, a magazine for professional librarians, named it in their best of the best issue, among the ten best documentaries of 1998.