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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 74% 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 Jun 29, 2020
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. Go to Full Review
Steve Johnson Chicago Tribune Jun 29, 2020
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. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Curiel San Francisco Chronicle Jun 29, 2020
4/4
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. Go to Full Review
John Levesque Seattle Post-Intelligencer Jun 29, 2020
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. Go to Full Review
Lesley M. Smith PopMatters Jun 29, 2020
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. Go to Full Review
People Staff People Magazine Jun 29, 2020
Alec Baldwin excelled as former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Eddie Z @RT04687948 1 day ago Interesting story on LBJ and how the Vietnam war defined his presidency. Good performances from a great cast. See more
alan G @agenser Apr 25, 2026 Trying blame the vietnam war on Johnson. It was Kennedy who got us involved. See more
roger s @Roger31416 Feb 23, 2025 Very Much Perfect 👍 See more
Alec B @Alec97 Feb 21, 2024 Refreshingly to see that historical accuracy can be compelling and I think a tragic arc for LBJ is totally legitimate. See more
Michael W @mawilps Sep 24, 2023 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. See more
Jan K @RT67816879 Aug 31, 2023 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. See more
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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) 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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