It's been many years since I watched this mini-series. The first time I saw it, I thought it was a gem, but with flaws. The flaws are the usual ones you find in Australian films/TV, namely, poor scripts and acting.
Be that as it may, on my first viewing of this mini-series, I felt that Nicholas Eadie and Nicole Kidman put in great acting performances. In brief, the mini-series is about the consequences to a family when conscription to the Vietnam war is introduced in Australia. Nicholas Eadie's character is conscripted by the nationally televised 'lottery' and he has to go off to fight in Vietnam. Nicole Kidman plays the sister of Eadie's character in the mini-series.
The scene where Nicole Kidman's character is being interviewed on radio, and her brother calls in is very moving. This scene is her greatest performance in acting, I think. I've found her acting overly mannered in subsequent movies where she plays Americans, e.g. "To die for".
The second time I saw this mini-series (hey, I liked it enough to watch it the second time it was on t.v.) it was Nicole Kidman's performance which remained the standout element of the production.
Australia has produced some of the best mini-series on television. Along with "Through my eyes" (based on the Lindy Chamberlain story), Vietnam is right up there as one of the best produced in Australia. Other brilliant Australian mini-series include Joh's Jury (fact based account of the trial of infamous state premier Joh Bjelke-Peterson) and any number of ABC TV mini-series on police corruption in Australia.
I have seen a DVD of this in Australian chain stores inside the last year or two. So, may be still available now, new.
