Path to War
| Path to War | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Biographical television film |
| Written by | Daniel Giat |
| Directed by | John Frankenheimer |
| Starring |
(first billed only) Michael Gambon Donald Sutherland Alec Baldwin Bruce McGill James Frain Felicity Huffman Frederic Forrest John Aylward Philip Baker Hall Tom Skerritt Diana Scarwid Sarah Paulson Gerry Becker Peter Jacobson |
| Theme music composer | Gary Chang |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Cary Brokaw John Frankenheimer Edgar J. Scherick Howard Dratch |
| Producer(s) |
Guy Riedel Shirley Davis |
| Cinematography |
Stephen Goldblatt Nancy Schreiber |
| Editor(s) | Richard Francis-Bruce |
| Running time | 165 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Avenue Pictures Edgar J. Scherick Associates HBO |
| Distributor | HBO |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Original release | May 18, 2002 |
Path to War is a 2002 American biographical television film, produced by HBO and directed by John Frankenheimer that deals directly with the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of United States President Lyndon B. Johnson and his cabinet members. It was the final film (theatrical or made-for-TV) that was directed by Frankenheimer, who died seven weeks after the film debuted on HBO.
The film stars Michael Gambon as President Johnson, Alec Baldwin as Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Donald Sutherland as presidential advisor Clark M. Clifford, who succeeds McNamara as Secretary of Defense.
Synopsis
Lyndon B. Johnson wins the 1964 U.S. presidential election by a landslide. His administration strives to advance civil rights and do other good work, but the Vietnam War consumes it. Johnson's civilian and military leaders persuade him to take America's involvement in Vietnam deeper and deeper, against the advice of the President's trusted adviser, Clark Clifford, who opposes the strategy of the Cabinet's Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara.
Featured cast
Awards
- Sutherland won a 2002 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for his performance as Clifford.
See also
- 2002 in television
- Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson