Path to War | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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Where to Watch Path to War What to Know Critics Reviews Audience Reviews My Rating Cast & Crew More Like This Photos Path to War References

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

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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

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Audience Reviews

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Alec B Refreshingly to see that historical accuracy can be compelling and I think a tragic arc for LBJ is totally legitimate. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • 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 4/5 Stars • 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 4/5 Stars • 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 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/23 Full Review steve d I just didn't find it convincing. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Lyndon B Johnson became president in 1964Now he faces dealing with the escalation of the Vietnam war affecting the country and the world 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 This clocks in at nearly 3 hours which is a punishment But I give them credit for digging into one of our great Commander and Chief's psychology considering the hard decisions he has to make in one of America's toughest patches Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

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)

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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

References

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/path_to_war