All the Way

Following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as President and begins leading the nation through a turbulent transition. He is portrayed as being guided by the advice of his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, as he takes power. The event marks the start of a bold but contentious domestic and foreign policy agenda.

Johnson makes the Civil Rights Act a top priority and pushes for swift passage. Martin Luther King Jr. pressures him to accept no amendments that would weaken the bill. The effort pits liberal supporters against Southern Democrats who threaten to bolt the party.

Southern Democrats, led by figures like Richard Russell Jr., actively oppose the bill and threaten to desert the Democratic Party if it passes. The film shows the country divided as conservatives stall and the civil rights coalition fights for reform. The atmosphere is tense as amendments are debated.

Johnson proclaims a War on Poverty as part of his domestic agenda. He pitches ambitious social programs designed to lift Americans out of poverty and expand the government's role in welfare. The push parallels the civil rights effort, highlighting his broader reformist goals.

The Gulf of Tonkin incident prompts Johnson to ask Congress for a resolution endorsing retaliation against North Vietnam. The request signals a hardening stance on Vietnam and a bid to outmaneuver political opponents. The scene captures the President facing a rapid escalation of military action.

After a long filibuster, the Civil Rights Act is passed, marking a major legislative victory for Johnson and the civil rights movement. The event consolidates support from some Republicans and reform-minded Democrats while disappointing others in the party. It redefines federal civil rights protections in the United States.

Johnson campaigns against Barry Goldwater in the 1964 election, presenting himself as the stabilizing choice against what is portrayed as dangerous extremism. The campaign is depicted as a clash of visions for America's future, with the war on poverty and civil rights at its center. The result shapes the nation's political landscape.

The film shows the Freedom Summer movement fueling internal conflict within the Democratic Party. At the Atlantic City Democratic National Convention, the Mississippi delegation splits, with the Dixiecrat wing walking out and the MFDP challenging the process. Johnson's compromise offers limited representation that fails to satisfy either side.

Johnson assigns J. Edgar Hoover to investigate the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner in Mississippi. The move signals the administration's commitment to civil rights enforcement and federal intervention where local authorities are reluctant. Hoover's role adds a layer of tension in the civil rights crackdown.

Hoover distrusts Martin Luther King Jr. and sends an insulting, anonymous letter demanding King commit suicide. The letter is ignored, illustrating the depth of internal conflict within the federal government over civil rights leadership. The moment heightens the intrigue around King’s national impact.

Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. The film portrays the international recognition of King amidst domestic turmoil. Hoover's reaction to the prize reflects continuing tensions between the FBI and civil rights leaders.

Johnson wins the 1964 election decisively, yet the Democrats lose several Deep South states in the aftermath. The result exposes the regional rifts within the party despite a national victory. The victory is tempered by the ongoing struggle over civil rights and party unity.

A late-night phone call with Senator Richard Russell triggers a monologue in which Johnson voices intense paranoia about those around him. The moment captures the psychological toll of the year's political battles. It underscores the pressures that the President faced while steering the country.