Tiananmen Square 1989 Video Exclusive Now
: A full FRONTLINE documentary exploring the identity and impact of the lone protestor who stood before a column of tanks on June 5, 1989. Digital Archives and Stock Footage
: This PBS documentary uses eyewitness reflections and secret documents to trace the seven-week protest. It is available on PBS.org and the PBS App.
THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE is a documentary about the protests at Tiananmen in 1989, and the resulting Beijing Massacre of June 4. The Tank Man (full documentary) | FRONTLINE tiananmen square 1989 video exclusive
For decades, the events of June 1989 in Beijing have been defined by a handful of iconic images, most notably the "Tank Man." However, as digital archiving technology advances and witnesses break their silence, a new wave of "exclusive" video footage has emerged, providing a more granular look at the seven-week pro-democracy movement and its violent conclusion. The Emergence of Rare Military Footage
The most significant recent addition to the historical record is the leak of . General Xu was the commander of the 38th Group Army who famously refused to lead his troops into the capital to crush the student-led demonstrations. : A full FRONTLINE documentary exploring the identity
: Canadian journalist Arthur Kent released a 13-minute restored film titled Black Night In June . The footage captures the frantic moments as the PLA opened fire on protestors in the central square, showing the "heavily-armed machine of repression" in high definition for the first time.
Journalists who were on the ground in 1989 have recently utilized modern technology to restore and release previously unseen raw footage. THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE is a documentary
: Other archives, such as those from the ABC News archive , have released clips showing the "joy and optimism" of the weeks preceding the massacre, documenting a peaceful side of the movement that is often overshadowed by the final crackdown. Where to Watch Comprehensive Documentaries
Uncovering History: The Evolution of "Tiananmen Square 1989 Video Exclusive" Footage
: The video, which surfaced in late 2025, shows General Xu explaining his refusal to follow the crackdown order.