War and Remembrance

Photo By Jana Birchum

Hell no, we won't go! Actually, nearly 400 invitation-only guests attended the Austin premiere of HBO Film's Path to War on Wednesday evening, May 15. Directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Michael Gambon, Donald Sutherland, Alec Baldwin, and San Antonio native Bruce McGill, the film traces the nation's spiral into the Vietnam War following President Lyndon B. Johnson's landslide 1964 election. Although the ailing Lady Bird Johnson could not attend the premiere, McGill (above, r) displayed some of that legendary Texas pride by flashing the "hook 'em horns" sign when introduced to the audience. McGill (Ali, Animal House) portrays Under Secretary of State George Ball, an early and vocal opponent of the war. Time Warner Cable and the LBJ Library and Museum co-hosted the event. Also in attendance were executive producer Howard Dratch and screenwriter Daniel Giat. For more on Giat's 11-year journey to Path to War, see TV Eye.