Disappointing compared to other historical dramas
Added 11/24/2009
This film didn't flow smoothly or capture the feeling and/or spirit of the Vietnam era. More like another "W" but different president.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Sleepwalking into a War
Added 10/20/2009
I think this mini series shows that Johnson Administration, the U.S.A and her allies e.g. Australia had the best intentions when they went to war in Vietnam, but things rapidly got out of control and you can't fight an insurgency from 30,000 feet. I think the United States thought the Vietnam War would be over in six months and that if you dropped enough bombs, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese would give up. This mini series show what a slippery slope the Vietnam War was and how it quickly became a quagmire.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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"If this is a defeat, I would hate to see a victory."
Added 8/10/2009
This is a really well made film on a critical time in American history. This was the time that a lot of the greatness fostered by overcoming the Great Depression and winning World War II were squandered. Lyndon B. Johnson could have been a great President but fell short because of Vietnam and his decisions about it. What he did for Civil Rights in America in 1964-1965 was truly outstanding. This is depicted very nicely in the beginning of 'Path to War'. But then inch by inch he was drawn into the morass of Vietnam and everything that he had worked for his whole political life was pretty much destroyed.
Michael Gambon brings the disappointing Lyndon Johnson back to life. Though Gambon struggled a bit with the accent I thought he was quite good. It's pretty gut-wrenching stuff to see him signing paper after paper sending condolences to families of loved ones who were killed by his decisions. Also a telling scene is when LBJ looks at a newspaper political cartoon that has LBJ looking into a mirror and seeing the reflection of Barry Goldwater with the caption-"Who is the biggest hawk now?" Gambon is also good at LBJ's earthier side and makes his character come to life. Alec Baldwin is pretty smug as Bob McNamara but captures the character well. 'Put the troops in' he says in a statement he will one day come to regret. The numbers game that McNamara played is well depicted. Donald Sutherland is outstanding as Clark Clifford and deserved the awards he received. He captures the slipperiness of Clifford well. One minute sensibly arguing that the United States has no business in Vietnam the next minute accepting being Secretary of Defense and saying that the United States has to see the situation through. Also, watch for a cameo of Gary Sinise as George Wallace reprising his previous work for director Frankenheimer.
The DVD has good picture and sound plus some really good text material on LBJ and the tragic war in Vietnam. The DVD does this HBO movie proud. This is just a really fine film on a very important part of 20th Century American history.
Highly recommended!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A Must See
Added 3/26/2009
This is one of the best movies I have ever watched as it covers the stormy presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson and how the U.S. escalated into the Vietnam War. Great acting, especially by Alec Baldwin who portrays Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, great attention to detail, nice blending of actual footage from that era. If you like history this is for you - wether you are a democrat or republican this is worth your time - you will probably watch it more than once.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Although I didn't think so at the time, Lyndon Johnson is truly a
tragic figure who went against his own, beloved South to pass the
Civil Rights Act. Kennedy wrote it and of course he couldn't help
that he was assassinated before it was passed. But President Johnson
had the motivation and the guts to get it enacted even though he knew
it meant the end of the Democratic South.
He's only remembered for Vietnam though and in the end it killed him
not long after he left office. Couldn't help but think of his contribution when Barack Obama was elected. Everyone talked about Lincoln, Kennedy and King, but Johnson had a hand in it too.
The actors who play Lyndon and Lady Bird (also under-rated) are wonderful.
At one point, they ruefully discuss the hard acts they have had to follow.
A movie worth watching--to review and remember.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Disappointing compared to other historical dramas
Added 11/24/2009
This film didn't flow smoothly or capture the feeling and/or spirit of the Vietnam era. More like another "W" but different president.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Sleepwalking into a War
Added 10/20/2009
I think this mini series shows that Johnson Administration, the U.S.A and her allies e.g. Australia had the best intentions when they went to war in Vietnam, but things rapidly got out of control and you can't fight an insurgency from 30,000 feet. I think the United States thought the Vietnam War would be over in six months and that if you dropped enough bombs, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese would give up. This mini series show what a slippery slope the Vietnam War was and how it quickly became a quagmire.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
"If this is a defeat, I would hate to see a victory."
Added 8/10/2009
This is a really well made film on a critical time in American history. This was the time that a lot of the greatness fostered by overcoming the Great Depression and winning World War II were squandered. Lyndon B. Johnson could have been a great President but fell short because of Vietnam and his decisions about it. What he did for Civil Rights in America in 1964-1965 was truly outstanding. This is depicted very nicely in the beginning of 'Path to War'. But then inch by inch he was drawn into the morass of Vietnam and everything that he had worked for his whole political life was pretty much destroyed.
Michael Gambon brings the disappointing Lyndon Johnson back to life. Though Gambon struggled a bit with the accent I thought he was quite good. It's pretty gut-wrenching stuff to see him signing paper after paper sending condolences to families of loved ones who were killed by his decisions. Also a telling scene is when LBJ looks at a newspaper political cartoon that has LBJ looking into a mirror and seeing the reflection of Barry Goldwater with the caption-"Who is the biggest hawk now?" Gambon is also good at LBJ's earthier side and makes his character come to life. Alec Baldwin is pretty smug as Bob McNamara but captures the character well. 'Put the troops in' he says in a statement he will one day come to regret. The numbers game that McNamara played is well depicted. Donald Sutherland is outstanding as Clark Clifford and deserved the awards he received. He captures the slipperiness of Clifford well. One minute sensibly arguing that the United States has no business in Vietnam the next minute accepting being Secretary of Defense and saying that the United States has to see the situation through. Also, watch for a cameo of Gary Sinise as George Wallace reprising his previous work for director Frankenheimer.
The DVD has good picture and sound plus some really good text material on LBJ and the tragic war in Vietnam. The DVD does this HBO movie proud. This is just a really fine film on a very important part of 20th Century American history.
Highly recommended!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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