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Path to War

Play trailer Poster for Path to War TV-14 2002 2h 45m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This film is a dramatization of the decision-making behind the Johnson administration's escalation of the Vietnam War in the mid 1960s. As Lyndon Johnson (Michael Gambon) agonizes over sending more troops to Southeast Asia, he is given contradictory advice from Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara (Alec Baldwin) and Secretary of State Dean Rusk (John Aylward). The president also attempts to build his Great Society at home, while balancing the war's increasing drain on the nation's resources.

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Path to War

Path to War

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Critics Consensus

Path to War brings Lyndon B. Johnson's full term to vivid life with terrific performances and a screenplay that provides an intimate look into a president's psyche along with the far-reaching consequences of his decisions.

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Critics Reviews

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Laura Fries Variety Director Frankenheimer provides a steady hand, faltering only in one or two forced scenes intended to convey Johnson's growing alienation both politically and personally. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review Steve Johnson Chicago Tribune It is painful and profound to watch a man choosing his own destruction in the belief that he can do nothing else, and these 2 3/4 hours capture that -- the heaviness of the head that wears the crown -- as eloquently as any film in recent memory. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review Jonathan Curiel San Francisco Chronicle Johnson's brash way of talking rarely revealed itself in public speeches of his day, but in "Path to War," Frankenheimer and actor Michael Gambon give us the real Johnson. Rated: 4/4 Jun 29, 2020 Full Review John Levesque Seattle Post-Intelligencer Drawing on a supremely intelligent screenplay by Daniel Giat, "Path to War" is another of those "important" films that would never make it in theaters today. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review Lesley M. Smith PopMatters It captures the enduring inability of U.S. politicians and military leaders to understand that the projection of unassailable power and unmatched technology could not guarantee triumph or even avert defeat. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review People Staff People Magazine Alec Baldwin excelled as former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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roger s Very Much Perfect 👍 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/25 Full Review Alec B Refreshingly to see that historical accuracy can be compelling and I think a tragic arc for LBJ is totally legitimate. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Michael W This political movie was really good. Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, Felicity Huffman, Bruce McGill, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. This true story about why we went to fight in the Vietnam War was dramatic, shocking, and tragic. It's about abusing the power of the government and destroying the reputation of the country. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's worth watching. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/25/23 Full Review Jan K The Path to War is a story that is well-known, often told from various angles - though rarely from the perspective of President Johnson. The star-cast brings home the story in spectacular fashion, with the cinematography being added to with time period film fragments. It makes for a wonderful film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/31/23 Full Review Aldo G John Frankenheimer's last film is about as good as any of the 30 he made before. This is an excellent look back at the Viet Nam war that is said to be fairly accurate. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/23 Full Review steve d I just didn't find it convincing. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Path to War

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Cast & Crew

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Michael Gambon

Lyndon Johnson

Donald Sutherland

Clark Clifford

Alec Baldwin

Robert McNamara

Bruce McGill

George Ball

James Frain

Richard Goodwin

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Path to War

Path to War (2002) Path to War (2002) Path to War (2002) Path to War (2002) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This film is a dramatization of the decision-making behind the Johnson administration's escalation of the Vietnam War in the mid 1960s. As Lyndon Johnson (Michael Gambon) agonizes over sending more troops to Southeast Asia, he is given contradictory advice from Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara (Alec Baldwin) and Secretary of State Dean Rusk (John Aylward). The president also attempts to build his Great Society at home, while balancing the war's increasing drain on the nation's resources.
Director
John Frankenheimer
Distributor
HBO
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
TV-14
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 18, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
2h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround
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