Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

China Beach

  • TV Series
  • 1988–19911988–1991
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,057
126
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
China Beach (1988)
Trailer for China Beach: The Complete Collection
Play trailer3:06
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • War

The trials of a weary nurse, her friends and colleagues in a Vietnam War field hospital.The trials of a weary nurse, her friends and colleagues in a Vietnam War field hospital.The trials of a weary nurse, her friends and colleagues in a Vietnam War field hospital.

IMDb RATING
8.2/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,057
126
  • Creators
    • John Sacret Young
    • William Broyles Jr.
  • Stars
    • Dana Delany
    • Michael Boatman
    • Robert Picardo
Top credits
  • Creators
    • John Sacret Young
    • William Broyles Jr.
  • Stars
    • Dana Delany
    • Michael Boatman
    • Robert Picardo
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 5 Primetime Emmys
      • 26 wins & 46 nominations total

    Episodes62

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos5

    China Beach: Complete Collection
    Trailer 3:06
    China Beach: Complete Collection
    China Beach: Season 3
    Trailer 2:15
    China Beach: Season 3
    China Beach (Trailer 1)
    Trailer 0:41
    China Beach (Trailer 1)
    China Beach: Season 2
    Trailer 1:31
    China Beach: Season 2
    China Beach
    Trailer 3:06
    China Beach

    Photos965

    Robert Picardo, Dana Delany, and Megan Gallagher in China Beach (1988)
    Concetta Tomei in China Beach (1988)
    Dana Delany in China Beach (1988)
    Robert Picardo in China Beach (1988)
    Nan Woods in China Beach (1988)
    Ricki Lake in China Beach (1988)
    Derek de Lint in China Beach (1988)
    Marg Helgenberger and Brian Wimmer in China Beach (1988)
    Dana Delany in China Beach (1988)
    Robert Picardo and Dana Delany in China Beach (1988)
    Robert Picardo, Dana Delany, and Ned Vaughn in China Beach (1988)
    Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger, Chloe Webb, and Nan Woods in China Beach (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dana Delany
    Dana Delany
    • Colleen McMurphyas Colleen McMurphy
    61 episodes61 eps • 1988–1991
    Michael Boatman
    Michael Boatman
    • Pvt. Samuel Beckettas Pvt. Samuel Beckett
    62 episodes62 eps • 1988–1991
    Robert Picardo
    Robert Picardo
    • Dr. Dick Richardas Dr. Dick Richard
    62 episodes62 eps • 1988–1991
    Concetta Tomei
    Concetta Tomei
    • Maj. Lila Garreauas Maj. Lila Garreau
    61 episodes61 eps • 1988–1991
    Marg Helgenberger
    Marg Helgenberger
    • K.C. Kolowskias K.C. Kolowski
    61 episodes61 eps • 1988–1991
    Brian Wimmer
    Brian Wimmer
    • Cpl. Boonie Lanieras Cpl. Boonie Lanier
    62 episodes62 eps • 1988–1991
    Oliver Theess
    • The Soldieras The Soldier…
    61 episodes61 eps • 1988–1991
    Jeff Kober
    Jeff Kober
    • Sgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslowas Sgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslow
    58 episodes58 eps • 1988–1991
    Nancy Giles
    • Pvt. Frankie Bunsenas Pvt. Frankie Bunsen
    53 episodes53 eps • 1988–1991
    Troy Evans
    Troy Evans
    • Sgt. Pepperas Sgt. Pepper…
    28 episodes28 eps • 1989–1991
    Megan Gallagher
    Megan Gallagher
    • Wayloo Marie Holmesas Wayloo Marie Holmes…
    17 episodes17 eps • 1988–1991
    Michael J Henderson
    Michael J Henderson
    • Beetleas Beetle
    17 episodes17 eps • 1988–1989
    Nan Woods
    Nan Woods
    • Cherry Whiteas Cherry White
    15 episodes15 eps • 1988–1989
    Marcia Magus
    • Nurse Jody Kassas Nurse Jody Kass
    15 episodes15 eps • 1988–1991
    Ned Vaughn
    Ned Vaughn
    • Jeff Hyersas Jeff Hyers…
    15 episodes15 eps • 1988–1991
    Ricki Lake
    Ricki Lake
    • Holly Pelegrinoas Holly Pelegrino
    13 episodes13 eps • 1989–1990
    Elizabeth Lindsey
    Elizabeth Lindsey
    • Maias Mai…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1988–1989
    Tim Ryan
    Tim Ryan
    • Capt. Natch Austinas Capt. Natch Austin…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1988–1989
    • Creators
      • John Sacret Young
      • William Broyles Jr.
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Tour of Duty
    8.3
    Tour of Duty
    Northern Exposure
    8.3
    Northern Exposure
    Murphy Brown
    6.8
    Murphy Brown
    The White Shadow
    8.0
    The White Shadow
    B.J. and the Bear
    6.4
    B.J. and the Bear
    Wings
    7.3
    Wings
    The Greatest American Hero
    7.3
    The Greatest American Hero
    Caroline in the City
    6.2
    Caroline in the City
    WKRP in Cincinnati
    8.0
    WKRP in Cincinnati
    Magnum, P.I.
    7.5
    Magnum, P.I.
    L.A. Law
    7.0
    L.A. Law
    Cagney & Lacey
    6.8
    Cagney & Lacey

    Storyline

    Edit
    Dateline: November 1967, within klicks of Danang, Vietnam, sits a U.S. Army base, bar and hospital on China Beach. This is the 'Nam, filled with wounded soldiers and one very lovely but damaged Army Nurse Colleen Mc Murphy. Many heroes, dead and alive, in the forms of nurses, warriors, Donut Dollies, lifeguards, politicians, USO entertainers, Chopper Chicks, doctors, officers and enlisted men, brothers and sisters, Kool-Aid Kids, orderlies, medics, morticians, Army brass and one hostile prostitute named K.C. try to make sense of life and death in between bourbon, bullets and battles. —LA-Lawyer
    • 20th century
    • timeframe 20th century
    • nurse
    • vietnam
    • doctor
    • 10 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • History
      • War
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Troy Evans (Sergeant Pepper) was a Vietnam veteran. During a reunion on Good Morning America, he stated the show gave him a sense of closure.
    • Goofs
      McMurphy's pilot boyfriend is a Captain (wearing two silver bars on each shoulder) and has Command Pilot wings on his flight suit name tag (pilot's wings with a star surrounded by a wreath). To earn Command Pilot wings you have to be a rated pilot for 15 years and have 3,000 hours of flight time. No pilot in the USAF would be a rated pilot for 15 years and amass 3,000 flying hours and still be a Captain. Besides, assuming he graduated college at age 22 and flight training at 23, and then flew for 15 years he would be 38 years old. Clearly he isn't that old. [See Wikipedia article on "U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating" for rating criteria]
    • Quotes

      Colleen McMurphy: Sex is a bad word, but it feels good. Love is a good word, but it hurts.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Reflections
      (Theme)

      Written by Brian Holland / Lamont Dozier / Eddie Holland

      Recorded by Diana Ross & The Supremes

    User reviews29

    Review
    Top review
    One of the best dramas, ever
    I was eleven when I started watching this show, and it left an indelible impression on me. I was watching a lot of shows back then that I was probably too young to watch(!), and there was a lot of stuff I didn't get, but I knew, even as a middle schooler, that "China Beach" was something special. A few months ago I started borrowing videotaped episodes from a friend (thank you, History Channel!), and re-experiencing it. While, at times, it's cheesier than I remembered it (and that was mostly just in some season 1 episodes), you can't do better than Marg Helgenberger and Dana Delany and Jeff Kober as K.C., McMurphy, and Dodger (respectively). The dialogue is great, but there's so much said in just a look, and that, my friends, is acting. There was really something special going on in that show. I think it was partly the subject matter and the shooting everything(?) on location (as opposed to a sound stage -- I know it wasn't shot in Vietnam ;)), but it felt so deceptively REAL... Anyway, I couldn't love it more, and I've never seen another show like it. My thanks to the producers and writers and crew (and, of course, the actors!) -- you all should be really proud of what you did.
    helpful•10
    1
    • Summadonna
    • Nov 7, 2005

    FAQ1

    • Why have I never seen this show?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 26, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Playa de China
    • Filming locations
      • Indian Dunes - 28700 Henry Mayo Drive, Valencia, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Sacret
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    RSVP for TV directors panel on May 19: ‘Daily Show,’ ‘Morning Show,’ ‘Pursuit of Love,’ ‘Swagger,’ ‘This Is Us’
    RSVP for TV directors panel on May 19: ‘Daily Show,’ ‘Morning Show,’ ‘Pursuit of Love,’ ‘Swagger,’ ‘This Is Us’
    May 13Gold Derby
    Here’s Why Bruce Willis’ ‘Moonlighting’ Isn’t Streaming Anywhere
    Here’s Why Bruce Willis’ ‘Moonlighting’ Isn’t Streaming Anywhere
    Apr 13The Wrap

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    China Beach (1988)
    Top Gap
    By what name was China Beach (1988) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.