Path to War

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Path to War

TV-14

2002

2h 45m

History

Drama

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100%

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11 Reviews

74%

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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.

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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Laura Fries

Variety

06/29/2020

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.

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Steve Johnson

Chicago Tribune

06/29/2020

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.

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Jonathan Curiel

San Francisco Chronicle

06/29/2020

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.

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John Levesque

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

06/29/2020

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.

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Lesley M. Smith

PopMatters

06/29/2020

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.

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People Staff

People Magazine

06/29/2020

Alec Baldwin excelled as former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

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alan G

@agenser Apr 25

Trying blame the vietnam war on Johnson. It was Kennedy who got us involved.

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roger s

@Roger31416 02/23/2025

Very Much Perfect 👍

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Alec B

@Alec97 02/21/2024

Refreshingly to see that historical accuracy can be compelling and I think a tragic arc for LBJ is totally legitimate.

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Michael W

@mawilps 09/24/2023

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.

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Jan K

@RT67816879 08/31/2023

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.

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Aldo G

@RT54480587 04/12/2023

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.

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John Frankenheimer

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Michael Gambon

Lyndon Johnson

Donald Sutherland

Clark Clifford

Alec Baldwin

Robert McNamara

Bruce McGill

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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