Path to War
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.
To War
A nation in turmoil, a city in grief. I can't see the sun for the smoke cloud.
Familiar street unrecognizable for the debris. I stumble through destruction.
Inside I scream for retribution, to ease the pain and grief I feel.
[Chorus]
Some would say that I've lost my way, well what do they know?
I can not tell if I'm lead astray by myself,
but when what's sacred to me is brought to it's knees, when they've
struck at the core of my security; my society, I go to war.
Children carrying flags to be placed on their fathers' graves,
starvation and disease is the aftermath, the till, the prices to be pain
for religious and political power games.
So what should I do?
Sit in silence as they burn everything I hold true?
[Chorus]
Violence breeds violence, sure, I'm aware of that,
but still we carry our predatory genes.
Eat or be eaten, kill or get killed-it's the way of the world,
but I doubt still as I go to war.
Death, burnt flesh is left in my trail. In self-defence I maim.
Crawling in me, a leering demon, consuming my humanity
day by day.
In my mind the accusations drone.