The president who could pass anything — except the war that destroyed him.
Lyndon Johnson exploited his mastery of the legislative process to shepherd a collection of progressive programs, rivaling those of FDR's New Deal, through Congress with astounding success. However, visions of a Great Society were swallowed up in the quagmire of Vietnam: the unpopular and costly war eroded his political base and left him an exile within his own White House.
Direction
Grubin turns C-SPAN footage into Shakespearean tragedy.
Writing
McCullough's narration hits like a velvet hammer.
Director
David Grubin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Grubin spent four years on this, interviewing everyone still alive who knew Johnson — including Lady Bird before her death.
The film's structure mirrors Johnson's own arc: relentless forward momentum that suddenly, violently collapses.
US
