Peter Davis

Directing

Peter Davis

Born

1937-01-02 (89)

Place of birth

Santa Monica, California, U.S.

Known for

Directing

Credits

7 titles

Peter Frank Davis (born January 2, 1937) is an American documentary filmmaker, journalist, and author best known for Hearts and Minds (1974), his Academy Award–winning film examining American involvement in the Vietnam War. Born in Santa Monica, California, to screenwriters Frank Davis and Tess Slesinger, Davis graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1957 and began his career in journalism, working briefly for The New York Times before moving into television documentary production. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Davis worked at CBS News, where he produced and directed investigative documentaries on subjects including poverty, racism, student unrest, and U.S. military policy. His…

Known for

Behind the camera

Hearts and Minds poster
7.6

Many times during his presidency, Lyndon B. Johnson said that ultimate victory in the Vietnam War depended upon the U.S. military winning the "hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people. Filmmaker Peter Davis uses Johnson's phrase in an ironic context in this anti-war documentary, filmed and released while the Vietnam War was still under way, juxtaposing interviews with military figures like U.S. Army Chief of Staff William C. Westmoreland with shocking scenes of violence and brutality.

Hearts and Minds

1974

Hearts and Minds poster
7.6

Many times during his presidency, Lyndon B. Johnson said that ultimate victory in the Vietnam War depended upon the U.S. military winning the "hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people. Filmmaker Peter Davis uses Johnson's phrase in an ironic context in this anti-war documentary, filmed and released while the Vietnam War was still under way, juxtaposing interviews with military figures like U.S. Army Chief of Staff William C. Westmoreland with shocking scenes of violence and brutality.

Hearts and Minds

1974

The Selling of the Pentagon poster
8.0

"The Selling of the Pentagon" was an important documentary aired in primetime on CBS on 23 February 1971. The aim of this film, produced by Peter Davis, was to examine the increasing utilization and cost to the taxpayers of public relations activities by the military-industrial complex in order to shape public opinion in favor of the military.

The Selling of the Pentagon

1971

The Selling of the Pentagon poster
8.0

"The Selling of the Pentagon" was an important documentary aired in primetime on CBS on 23 February 1971. The aim of this film, produced by Peter Davis, was to examine the increasing utilization and cost to the taxpayers of public relations activities by the military-industrial complex in order to shape public opinion in favor of the military.

The Selling of the Pentagon

1971

The Selling of the Pentagon poster
8.0

"The Selling of the Pentagon" was an important documentary aired in primetime on CBS on 23 February 1971. The aim of this film, produced by Peter Davis, was to examine the increasing utilization and cost to the taxpayers of public relations activities by the military-industrial complex in order to shape public opinion in favor of the military.

The Selling of the Pentagon

1971

Jack: The Last Kennedy Film poster
NR

Old footage of U.S. President John F. Kennedy

Jack: The Last Kennedy Film

1993

Second Time Around poster
NR

Focusing on the wedding arrangements of David and Elaine, each of whom is divorced, SECOND TIME AROUND presents the complexities of contemporary marriage in the United States.

Second Time Around

1982