Without vocally declaring input on the subject, Davis allows the evidence to speak for itself. But with subtle direction through editing and order of the compilation, the documentary is able to provide an underlying story line of events and steer the direction the film takes. .
In spite of the fact that I cannot say that I could identify with many characters in the film Hearts and Minds (1974), there are many I found that I could be empathetic towards and understand. Not having been in any situation resembling that of the victims of prosecution in Vietnam or deserters returning from Vietnam, I felt a strong sense of compassion for the situations of both. Each forced to defend themselves and their reasons for fighting, concerning the former, and for not fighting for the latter. This documentary helped support their voices. As a Monk from Siagon reminds us in the film, the Vietnamese had 5000 years of history in their country, they fight against invaders, it is not they who are the savages. The Vietnamese only fight in defense (Heart and Minds, 1974). Like wise in an impassioned testimony and surrendering of American military deserter, Edward Snowders, he voices that he does not regret making his decisions to desert his post, but living underground had grown intolerable. Expressing that over half a million members of United States Army since 1965 similarly to him have been charged with deserting. Most of which have returned to the military to be imprisoned or given horrendous discharges that they will carry for the rest of their lives. He also mentions with angst, the irony that they return to the same men, that took part in planning and executing a genocidal Indochina war, to receive their punishments (Hearts and Minds, 1974). .
In the midst of feeling empathy and compassion for some characters portrayed in the film, I found myself being un able to even slightly identify with others.