Why we Made Blackout
"The civilization that was New York came unglued for 24 hours, and that's what our story is about." American Experience Executive Producer Mark Samels talks about why we made Blackout.
No Police to Stop Them, from Blackout
Shop owners describe watching locals loot their store during the NYC blackout of 1977. "Blackout" premieres July 14 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.
Where did Brooklyn go? From Blackout
Watch the first three minutes of Blackout, premiering July 14 at 9/8c on PBS, about the 1977 blackout that swept New York City.
"It went from being light to being looting," from Blackout
"Every single borough in New York City was affected by the looting, and it happened very very quickly." Watch more clips from "Blackout," which premieres on PBS American Experience July 14, 2015 at 9/8c.
Blackout Preview
On the night of July 13, 1977, lightning strikes took out several critical power lines, causing a catastrophic power failure and plunging some 8 million people into darkness in the New York City area. First responders, journalists, shop owners, Con Edison employees, and other New Yorkers tell about what happened when the lights went out. Premieres 7/14 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.
"A Terrible Moral Dilemma"
Col. Stuart Herrington recalls the struggle of members of the South Vietnamese Military in staying behind to fight while their families were evacuated. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.
"I Had Lost Everything"
Kiem Do, a colonel in the South Vietnamese Navy, remembers the solemn flag-lowering ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Kirk after the fall of Saigon. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.
The Pilot's Story
Captain Gerald "Gerry" Berry was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps during the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Capt. Berry was tasked with evacuating U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin from the U.S. Embassy, an order which proved to be more complicated than he expected.
The South Vietnamese Officer's Story
In April 1975, Dam Pham was an Army Officer Lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Central Intelligence Service. When the North Vietnamese arrived in Saigon, Pham stayed in Vietnam with his family rather than evacuate. After 13 years of hard labor in a re-education camp, Dam Pham was released and made his way to America.
"Chaos Had Descended"
When news got out that the Americans were leaving Saigon, thousands of South Vietnamese descended upon the U.S. Embassy, desperate for a chance to get out before the North Vietnamese arrived. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.
"One Helicopter at a Time"
With so many South Vietnamese helicopters landing on the USS Kirk, the crew had no other option than to dump the helicopters overboard once they'd unloaded their passengers. "Last Days in Vietnam" airs April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.
"Dead Men Walking"
Col. Stuart Herrington and other Black Ops took matters in their own hands to get their South Vietnamese counterparts out of the country before the North Vietnamese reached Saigon. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.
"Option Four"
After the shelling of Tan Son Nhut Airport by North Vietnamese troops, the U.S. Ambassador was left with only one evacuation option -- a heavy-lift helicopter evacuation. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.
The Marine Guard's Story
Marine Guard Juan Valdez was one of the last left waiting for evacuation from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon during the American evacuation of Saigon April 29, 1975.
"We Jumped Out"
When a South Vietnamese helicopter was too large to land on the US Navy ship, the USS Kirk, the family on board had no chance, but to make a leap of faith. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.
"Like Something Out of Exodus"
Richard Armitage and the U.S. Navy escorted the seaworthy vessels of the Vietnamese Navy -- all crammed with thousands of refugees -- from Con Son Island to the Philippines. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.
Last Days in Vietnam Preview
Nominated for an Academy Award® for Documentary Feature. From filmmaker Rory Kennedy, "Last Days in Vietnam" recounts the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War in April of 1975 as the North Vietnamese Army closed in on Saigon.
Why We Made Last Days in Vietnam
American Experience Executive Producer, Mark Samels, discusses why the events depicted in "Last Days in Vietnam" are an important chapter in American history. Premiering April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.
"We were the last eleven"
As North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon, eleven U.S. Marines found themselves on the roof of the American Embassy with no U.S. helicopters in sight. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.
Extended Clip: The Journey Downriver
In 1975, Consul General Terry McNamara and Marine Consulate Guard Steve Hasty were in Can Tho, 78 miles southwest of Saigon. When they were told to evacuate only Americans, they went against orders and took hundreds of South Vietnamese refugees with them. This clip is subtitled in Vietnamese. "Last Days in Vietnam" airs April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.
Supported by
