Overview: April 30, 1975 marked the end of Vietnam’s two-decade-old civil war and the start of the exodus of hundreds of thousands of refugees. Despite his alliance to the toppled South Vietnamese government, Long Nguyen (as Long Nguyen) decides to remain in Vietnam.

Imprisoned in a Communist re-education camp, he urges his family to make the escape by boat without him. His wife Mai (Diem Lien), son Lai (Nguyen Thai Nguyen) and mother Ba Noi (Kieu Chinh) then embark on the arduous ocean voyage in the hope of reaching the U.S. and freedom.

Inspired by the true stories of Vietnamese refugees who fled their land after the fall of Saigon, and those who were forced to stay behind, Journey from the Fall follows one family’s struggle for freedom.

Blu-ray Verdict: From the off, you should know that this is not just a story about the plight of Vietnamese boat people, and what went on in Vietnam re-education prisons after the north Vietnamese reclaimed the country, but also a tale of family bonding.

Moreover, what can be said of the Vietnamese tradition (as well as other cultures), is their strong family ties despite the hardships and tragedies. It’s a wonder they all weren’t stark raving mad after all they went through. Thus here in Journey From The Fall, I found all the actors did a superb job (and far better than any Hollywood actors I’ve seen of late) of portraying the angst, yet at all times fully embracing the will to survive in such conditions.

And while some may find the film a little too long (at a little over two hours), others may wish it never ends, the characters being so thoroughly likable as just plain folk. In particular, the actress who played Mai was outstanding, as well as the other cast members all the way down the line. It is hard to believe that this film did not win more awards than it did.

In closing, sure, the film gets a little melodramatic at times and goes on for a little longer than it might have needed to, but I genuinely perceived great truth in these experiences. For the film connects in both showing us man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the kindness and family bonds that somehow allow us to endure.

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