'' Dear America : Letters Home from Vietnam '' is a 1987 American documentary film inspired by the anthology of the same title , directed by Bill Couturié in 1987 . Using real letters written by American soldiers ( which can be read in the book along with many more ) and archive footage , the film creates a highly personal experience of the Vietnam War . The film won the Special Jury Prize : Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 1988 . It was also screened out of competition at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival
1988 Cannes Film Festival
1988 Cannes Film Festival
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam