The tragic picture and aspirations
The 70s witnessed the birth of classic cinematic works, where the talents of actors were cultivated in the context of fierce war. 17th Line of Days and Nights (1972) by director, People's Artist Hai Ninh, is one of the memorable milestones. Actress, People's Artist Tra Giang with the role of Ms. Diu has become a thick, indelible mark.
With deep eyes, the tragic content of a woman divided by the front line, Ms. Diu becomes a universal image, representing the pain of millions of families.People's Artist Tra Giang is not simply an act, but she has lived with the character, conveying resilience, burning love for her homeland and the anxiety of a unified day.
The film Hanoi Baby (1974) by director and Peoples Artist Hai Ninh was released, bringing a different perspective on war through the eyes of children.The child actress who later became People's Artist Lan Huong vividly portrayed the character with clear eyes but full of haunting, a voice that was immature but steadfast, successfully depicting the loss, pain and courage of a girl living in the fire of bullets.
Lan Huong's role has touched domestic audiences, contributing to affirming the film's humane message.
Living with the character
Entering the 80s and 90s, revolutionary cinema continued to expand its themes and methods of expression. The film Wild Field (1979) by director and Peoples Artist Nguyen Hong Sen is a proof.
People's Artist Lam Toi plays Ba Do, a husband and father in the family, while Thuy An plays Sau Xoa, a wife and mother, along with her young son, realistically depicting the difficult fighting life in the Dong Thap Muoi area. Their acting is simple and rustic, vividly recreating the spirit of "one step without leaving, one step without leaving" of the people of the South.
The film Saigon Border Guard by director Long Van (1985) takes the audience into the world of soldiers operating secretly in the hearts of the enemy. With the participation of talented actors such as People's Artist Quang Thai, Meritorious Artist Thanh Loan, Thuong Tin... the film recreated the battles and tense intellectual struggles. Thuong Tin has successfully built the image of a brave, intelligent villainous soldier but also very romantic and garbled.
Recreate history with the breath of the times
In the 2000s and beyond, war cinema has had more groundbreaking works, with a new approach and sophisticated acting. In the film "Dung den" (2009), director and People's Artist Dang Nhat Minh brought the story of female doctor Dang Thuy Tram to the big screen. Actress Minh Huong took on a challenging and stressful role.
She has successfully transformed into a talented, kind and resilient Hanoian girl. Through Minh Huong's acting, the audience not only saw the silent sacrifice of the doctor but also felt her optimism, love for life and tireless fighting spirit.
The film "Scent of burning grass" 2012 by director and Meritorious Artist Nguyen Huu Muoi is a vivid, haunting work about the battle in Quang Tri ancient citadel. Young actors such as Le Van Thom, To Tuan Dung, Nguyen Thanh Son, Nguyen Nang Tung in the roles of 4 young soldiers Hoang, Thanh, Thang, Long have created a vivid picture of young soldiers with the innocentness and romance of youth blending with courage and team spirit, recalling the poem "Do xuoi Thach Han" by poet Le Ba Duong: "Do len Thach Han, roo nhe/ The river day there is my friend/ There are twenty years old become waves/ The peace of the shore will last forever".
Continuing the legend
The film The Legendary Writers 2013 by director and Meritorious Artist Bui Tuan Dung with the acting of actors Meritorious Artist Truong Minh Quoc Thai, Tang Bao Quyen, Meritorious Artist Hoang Hai created a tragic scene of the soldiers and revolutionaries fighting for their rights in the process of building and protecting the gas pipeline through Truong Son during the resistance war against the US.
And most recently, the film geography: Sun in the dark (2025) by director Bui Thac Chuyen, with the participation of talented artists such as Thai Hoa, Meritorious Artist Cao Minh and promising young film actors such as Quang Tuan, Ho Thu Anh... depicts the fierceness of the war against the US and the strong will of the Vietnamese people through the image of the life and fighting of the army in the heart of Cu Chi. The actors in the film have performed well in the role of especially the young face of Ho Thu Anh in the role of the female lead Ba Huong, full of personality and courage...
From classic footage to contemporary works, the actors have devoted all their efforts, impressively depicting heroic historical periods, inspiring patriotism and the spirit of solidarity to overcome all difficulties to victory.
