A Bright Shining Lie (1998): cast, story & where to watch
1998 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1998, A Bright Shining Lie is a drama, war and tv movie film directed by Terry George, running about 118 minutes. “In war as in life, the difference between truth and deception is what a man allows himself to believe.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. A Bright Shining Lie stars Bill Paxton as John Paul Vann, Amy Madigan as Mary Jane Vann, Donal Logue as Steven Burnett and Robert John Burke as Frank Drummond, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, A Bright Shining Lie has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In CA you can stream it on Crave Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch A Bright Shining Lie page.
If you liked it. Fans of A Bright Shining Lie tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch A Bright Shining Lie (1998)?
- In CA, A Bright Shining Lie is available to stream on Crave Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is A Bright Shining Lie worth watching?
- A Bright Shining Lie holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, war and tv movie. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in A Bright Shining Lie?
- A Bright Shining Lie stars Bill Paxton, Amy Madigan, Donal Logue, Robert John Burke and Vivian Wu.
- When was A Bright Shining Lie released?
- A Bright Shining Lie was released in 1998, with a runtime of about 118 minutes.