Cast and Crew of A Bright Shining Lie

Cast of
A Bright Shining Lie

About A Bright Shining Lie

Something in his past keeps career Army man John Paul Vann from advancing past colonel. He views being sent to Vietnam as part of the US military advisory force a stepping stone to promotion. However, he disagrees vocally (and on the record) with the way the war is being run and is forced to leave the military. Returning to Vietnam as a civilian working with the Army, he comes to despise some South Vietnamese officers while he takes charge of some of the U.S. forces and continues his liaisons with Vietnamese women.

Full Cast of A Bright Shining Lie

Bill Paxton
plays John Paul Vann

Bill Paxton as John Paul Vann

Bill Paxton (May 17, 1955 - February 25, 2017) was an American actor. He appeared in films including Aliens and Titan...

See Bill Paxton's other roles

Amy Madigan
plays Mary Jane Vann

Amy Madigan as Mary Jane Vann

Amy Marie Madigan (born September 11, 1950) is an American actress who is known for her role as Annie Kinsella in the...

See Amy Madigan's other roles

Donal Logue
plays Steven Burnett

Donal Logue as Steven Burnett

Donal Francis Logue is an Canadian actor, producer and writer. His notable roles include starring as Dex in The Tao o...

See Donal Logue's other roles

Robert John Burke
plays Frank Drummond

Robert John Burke as Frank Drummond

A born-and-bred New Yorker, Robert John Burke made his film debut while in his early 20s with a small part in the dra...

See Robert John Burke's other roles

Vivian Wu
plays Lee

Ed Lauter
plays General Weyand

Ed Lauter as General Weyand

An American actor. He has appeared in numerous movies and was a stand up comic before getting into acting. Lauter was...

See Ed Lauter's other roles

Kurtwood Smith
plays General Westmoreland

Kurtwood Smith as General Westmoreland

Kurtwood Larson Smith (born July 3, 1943) is an American television and film actor. He is best known for playing Clar...

See Kurtwood Smith's other roles

Eric Bogosian
plays Doug Elders

Eric Bogosian as Doug Elders

Eric Bogosian (born April 24, 1953) is an American actor, playwright, monologist, and novelist.

See Eric Bogosian's other roles

James Rebhorn
plays Ambassador

Les Mau
plays Colonel Dinh


Crew of A Bright Shining Lie

Discover the backstage crew of A Bright Shining Lie →