A Sense of Loss (film)

A Sense of Loss is a 1972 American documentary film directed by Marcel Ophüls. The film explores the events surrounding the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam, focusing particularly on the perspectives of American journalists covering the war and the American public's perception of the conflict.

The film utilizes interviews with reporters, soldiers, politicians, and civilians, interspersed with archival footage of the war and news reports. Ophüls's approach is characterized by a critical examination of the media's role in shaping public opinion and the complexities of truth and propaganda during wartime. Key themes explored include the credibility of information, the moral ambiguities of the war, and the growing disillusionment within the United States regarding the Vietnam War.

Unlike traditional documentaries that present a definitive narrative, A Sense of Loss often leaves questions unanswered, encouraging viewers to draw their own conclusions about the events and the perspectives presented. It is known for its length and its unblinking portrayal of the human cost of war, both for those directly involved in the fighting and those watching from afar. The film is considered a significant work in documentary filmmaking due to its nuanced approach to a controversial historical event.