The film focuses on student protests of government policies in the Vietnam War , clashes between students and police , and the responses of politicians and the public to the turmoil . Among the major events included is the Sterling Hall bombing . Intended to destroy the Army Math Research Center in the building , the bombing also caused massive destruction to other parts of the building , resulting in the death of a physics researcher , Robert Fassnacht , who was not involved in the Army Math Research Center . Bomber Karleton Armstrong , brother of Dwight Armstrong , is interviewed for the film , as is Paul Soglin , an antiwar leader who went on to be mayor of Madison
Sterling Hall bombing
Sterling Hall bombing
The War at Home (1979 film)