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Robert Downey Jr., Kiefer Sutherland, Bruce Dern, Mariette Hartley, Winona Ryder ... see more see more... , Joanna Cassidy , Christopher Wynne , Keller Kuhn , Al Cerullo , Steve Foster , John Garber , Mert Hatfield , Howard Kingkade , Lawrence Lowe , David Webster , Scott Stevens , Richard Young

Ernest Thompson, the playwright responsible for the Pulitzer Prize winning On Golden Pond, makes his directorial debut with 1969. Kiefer Sutherland plays a draft-age youth who undergoes an epiphany wh... read more read more...en one of his friends is killed in Vietnam. Sutherland's subsequent antiwar stance causes a great deal of tension within his own family, though his mother, Mariette Hartley, tries her best to understand. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

3,447 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Ernest Thompson

Release Date: January 27, 1988

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DVD Release Date: April 16, 2002

Stats: 119 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (119)

  • blkbomb
    August 20, 2011
    blkbomb
    Scott: If you flunk out and die in Vietnam, that's the end of our friendship, fuck you, you know. 

    "The year a country split apart and a generation came together."

    1969 is a Vietnam film that focuses on what was going on in America as opposed to what was actually taking place i... read moren the war. It deals with two college students and friends who are against the war and want to avoid being drafted at all cost. That's why they went to college. The movie also deals with their families and how the war affected family and their community.

    The movie really isn't good  at all. It takes every little chance it gets to pour as much melodrama on us as possible. Bruce Dern is horrible and Winona Ryder is awful(and I normally like her). Robert Downey Jr and Keifer Sutherland are decent, but they both have sone way better work since. I like the story, but the movie seems to be lacking in every other category. The dialogue between the characters is horrible. A best thing about the movie is it's soundtrack. Bands such as Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Buffalo Springfield are included in it; helping make the 60's setting a little better.

    While I can't really say I liked 1969; I can't say not to watch it either. It's not a completely worthless movie; just one that never becomes as good as it could have. It does have 2 or 3 scenes I really loved, but other than those few scenes, every other one felt like it was missing something. I'd only recommend this to huge fans of Keirfer or Robert. If you're not a huge fan of either of them; it's really not worth the time.
  • ajv2688
    February 23, 2011
    ajv2688
    Another 80s movie that looked back at the 60s. This one has a great cast, a pretty good late 60s feel, and a realistic story. I liked it.
  • SirPant
    February 18, 2011
    SirPant
    Looking back at 1969 it is a little melodramatic but I did really enjoy it when it came out in the late 80's. Robert Downey Jr and Kiefer Sutherland work off each quite well, I'm not sure why they haven't collaborated since (or have they?). It's definitely worth checking out anyw... read moreay, a very different war film, focusing more on the battles back home during wartime.
  • ythelastman89
    January 26, 2011
    ythelastman89
    This shows a different side to the Vietnam war than we usually see. It takes the viewpoint of best friends evading the draft by going to college. It shows a lot of the protests and anti-war feelings, even within the family of a soldier. Kiefer Sutherland and RDJ throw out some tr... read moreuly solid performances and provide very different characters. They're not just filling in a running time, but trying to show that there was just as much going on stateside during the war.
  • fb25827189
    April 27, 2011
    fb25827189
    Two buddies from a small town in Maryland witness first hand the turbulence of the 60's as the war hits home for both kids. While eveyone in their sleepy town is oblivious, the two young men begin experimenting with drugs, growing their hair long, and protesting America's involve... read morement in Vietnam. Much to the dismay of their parents. But a series of events will turn everything upside down and shake the town and this two families apart.

    A very young Robert Downey, Jr. and Keifer Sutherland are phenomenal and gives us that glimpse of what we would later see in their long and great acting careers.
  • ileo
    January 3, 2008
    ileo
    Great movie!
  • NickCoalNoir
    April 10, 2009
    NickCoalNoir
    I loved this! It was my kinda movie since I'm interested in anything that has to do with the '60s and '70s. I think Kiefer Sutherland was great.

    Peace, man, peace.
  • jamilyn0276
    January 11, 2009
    jamilyn0276
    So I am up and I happen to catch 1969 on one of my many movie channels. Naturally, I had to sit and watch it, for about the eighty seventh time.
    It's the story of Ralph and Scott, two friends who are against the war in Vietnam, and who are trying not to be drafted. Things h... read moreappen that test their relationships with their families and with each other. They find themselves and figure out what it is all about.
    1969 has a great 80s cast. Robert Downey Jr., Kiefer Sutherland, Winona Ryder, and the always excellent Joanna Cassidy.
    Anyone that has ample adoration for all things 80s, as I do, needs to add 1969 to their must see list.
  • bbuzzelli
    November 17, 2008
    bbuzzelli
    Not a very fast moving or action packed feature...but a great look at the impact of protesting and the importance of peace. Love RDJ! :)
  • weikel2000
    July 15, 2008
    weikel2000
    better than expected, Robert Downey Jr is very good, as usual, and Kiefer gives a strong performance.

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Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
August 4, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Surprisingly engaging drama with a few great performances.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 6, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
December 18, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Rich Cline
April 24, 2004
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

No review available.

Carol Cling
October 31, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
May 23, 2003
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Michael Szymanski
January 25, 2003
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com

No review available.

View more 1969 reviews

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