General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDo you have a favorite political movie?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is my favorite. What is yours?
taterguy
(29,582 posts)Subject to change if I think about it longer than 30 seconds
AnnieBW
(10,350 posts)Mostly because a lot of it was filmed in Pittsburgh, and my college choir accompanied Tim Robbins during one of his songs.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)and is incredibly good. Let's see . . . Netflix doesn't know when they'll be getting it in. That's sad. Maybe I'll see if the local video store carries it.
tridim
(45,358 posts)applegrove
(118,022 posts)Now I can see it any time. It doesn't get old.
ewagner
(18,964 posts)starring Robert Redford...
more truth than we EVER want to admit.
NCarolinawoman
(2,825 posts)As I remember, Robert Redford's character ("the candidate" wins the election, and in the last scene says something like, "Now what do we do?" In other words, he's clueless about governing.
ewagner
(18,964 posts)during the course of the campaing, Redford (the Candidate) compromises his values, one-by-one including his fidelity to his wife.
In the end, he is seduced by the competitive nature of the campaign itself and when he finally wins, he forgets why he was there in the first place.
too true.
"What now?"
LoL.
montanacowboy
(6,053 posts)never loses its relevance
DearHeart
(692 posts)rrneck
(17,671 posts)flyingfysh
(1,990 posts)flyingfysh
(1,990 posts)It's the shortest post I ever made.
Z is based on a true story, about a right-wing takeover in Greece, just when the left is about to win everything. Everything is in great shape, up until the last 5 minutes.
longship
(40,416 posts)The cast is stellar. An absolutely incredible telling of the Greek counter-revolution.
One of my favorite flicks of all time.
"Like a tiger!" the movie jumps out at you.
I cannot recommend Z more strongly.
Directed by Costa Gavras
Here's the IMDB entry. Z
This one is high art. All the more so since it is based on actual history. All the more chilling given today's US politics.
This the epitome of political movies and should be on every progressive's list.
Frank Cannon
(7,570 posts)Glad to see other people appreciate that movie as much as I do.
Paladin
(28,204 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)What a great film!
This one is in my permanent top of all movies. Fantastic film!
Curtland1015
(4,404 posts)Get off my plane!
Bucky
(53,795 posts)Get off my...
a) plane
b) lawn
c) chair
d) day
Zorra
(27,670 posts)Whisp
(24,096 posts)thanks for reminding me *jots.
eissa
(4,238 posts)Although I would have preferred if Martin Sheen were the president!
Aristus
(66,096 posts)Martin Sheen is the President in this TV show (available on DVD). My favorite TV show ev-VAR!.
And "The American President" is my favorite political movie ever. Aaron Sorkin wrote both.
He is the master screenwriter currently helming "The Newsroom" on HBO.
eqfan592
(5,963 posts)I don't agree with everything in the show/movie politically, but the writing was always top notch!
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)This one's in my permanent top 10 of all movies, too.
Lugnut
(9,791 posts)I never missed an episode of West Wing either.
Bozita
(26,955 posts)etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Stryder
(450 posts)But Fail Safe jumped in there first.
Funny, disturbing, intelligent, exceptionally well acted and scripted. Fantastic movie. I must have watched it over 10 times and never get tired of it.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)Jeez this is the third one in this thread that's in my permanent top 10!
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Whisp
(24,096 posts)I have a copy and still watch it every few months. It's just fantastic casting, very humourous and sad at the same time.
Travolta is genius and Billy Bob Thornton (I guess he was supposed to be Carville?) was a real douchebag, but had some great lines.
Kathy Bates - fantastic, always fantastic. And lots more good peeps.
Cirque du So-What
(25,812 posts)so my personal boundaries of what defines 'political' may seem a bit fuzzy to the casual observer. Offhand, I'd have to go with Matewan or The Grapes of Wrath, and I stand by my classification of these movies as 'political.'
Initech
(99,915 posts)If only we had politicians that told it like he did in that movie!
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)You want to talk about....OBSENITY?
no_hypocrisy
(45,774 posts)Siwsan
(26,177 posts)And my second favorite would be A Face in the Crowd.
Spazito
(49,765 posts)tops my list with All The President's Men a close second.
eqfan592
(5,963 posts)Poll_Blind
(23,864 posts)PB
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)with Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon about a high school student body president election.
I don't think it's much different in "grown-up" politics.
Mponti
(163 posts)Last edited Mon Sep 10, 2012, 11:34 PM - Edit history (1)
1962 political thrill that marked Betty White's film debut as a Kansas senator and the first movie after WW2 to feature gay bar scene involving the blackmailing of a married senator. The book is also a great readBeringia
(4,314 posts)And I recognized Betty White's voice. Funny.
Mponti
(163 posts)both richard nixon and martin luther king were offered roles...but declined
WillowTree
(5,325 posts)I read the whole series of Advise and Consent books way back when. Someday I'll make the effort to find them all again so I can re-read them.
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)which is technically a miniseries so that may be cheating.
lame54
(35,141 posts)lame54
(35,141 posts)lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)More about brinksmanship than political intrigue perhaps.
Fonda played a great role in this one.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)WillowTree
(5,325 posts)It still gives me chills.
Oh, and baby-faced Larry Hagman is a hoot, as well.
longship
(40,416 posts)Great, slow paced film with a horrific ending.
Look for Dom Deluise in a rare, early dramatic role (at SAC headquarters).
kimbutgar
(20,882 posts)Gabriel from the 1930's about a corrupt mitt kind of politician and best man gore Vidal wrote the script. They usually show up on tcm
Bucky
(53,795 posts)God sends an angel to possess the president an institute martial law in order to save the country from the Depression, plus bootleggers do a drive by on the White House. What's not to love?
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)I think it's a great movie and shows the ins and outs of a primary campaign very well. I know a lot of people feel it was anti-Clinton, but I actually think it humanizes his actions. Jack Stanton was a good man, who wanted to do good ... but he was also flawed. Just like Clinton, eh? Great casting...great moments. My favorite.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,705 posts)He caught the essence of Bill Clinton- a lovable rogue.
oldhippydude
(2,514 posts)ultimatly thwarted right wing coup.. 1964 BW solid film
El Supremo
(20,365 posts)I'm a Lyman Lover!
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)This is a great movie!
Response to cyberswede (Reply #116)
cyberswede This message was self-deleted by its author.
MrScorpio
(73,626 posts)Mayberry Machiavelli
(21,096 posts)HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)oneshooter
(8,614 posts)Warpy
(110,913 posts)which details the mess colonialism and the immediate aftermath of it was making in southeast Asia.
Another is "Missing," which details the CIA aided coup of Salvador Allende's administration in Chile.
Movies about politics in the US are either cynical or cloying, sometimes both, and without middle ground.
Mponti
(163 posts)bongbong
(5,436 posts)The movie, starring a bunch of A- and B-listers, that dramatized the JFK assassination.
Lisa D
(1,532 posts)with Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn & Angela Lansbury.
Stuart G
(38,365 posts)Beringia
(4,314 posts)just because that is the last one I saw, and I love Laughton.
The most exciting, All the President's Men.
Loved Primary Colors too.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,705 posts).
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)tallahasseedem
(6,716 posts)John Travolta was absolutely amazing! The end makes me cry EVERY TIME!
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)an overt attack on fascism.
tufnel
(95 posts)nt.
The American President
Dave
Recount
There are other great ones but those spoke most to me.
ananda
(28,783 posts)nt
lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)Judgment at Nuremberg
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)eqfan592
(5,963 posts)Mac1949
(389 posts)was speaking in verse!
loli phabay
(5,580 posts)loved the deviousness of the main character.
CBHagman
(16,968 posts)You're thinking of the trilogy starring the great Ian Richardson as Francis Urquhart (Note the initials!), a chief whip...and so much more.
The series includes House of Cards, To Play the King, and The Final Cut. Must-see TV for political junkies.
loli phabay
(5,580 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)I've no favorite but several that I enjoy re-watching when it fits my mood.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)Odin2005
(53,521 posts)spiderpig
(10,419 posts)I always said that if I could have written a screenplay it would be Network. Nearly 40 years later it's more relevant than ever.
Personal note: My last job was a corporate position located at the intersection of Howard and Beale Streets. I never got over the freakiness of the reference.
MissMarple
(9,656 posts)I know, pretty sappy. And I usually hate sappy.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I also love the Miss Marple episodes - nice to see a fellow fan!
hack89
(39,171 posts)technically a mini-series but still the best political drama I have ever seen. British of course.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094576/
abumbyanyothername
(2,711 posts)1. All Quiet on the Western Front (anti-war)
2. To Kill a Mockingbird (civil rights)
3. Harlan County USA (labor)
Honorable Mention:
Farenheit 911
Silkwood
The Way We Were
Philadelphia
Grapes of Wrath
Twelve Angry Men
Inherit the Wind
Planet of the Apes (last summer's release)
Food Inc.
Inside Job (and the HBO version)
TransitJohn
(6,932 posts)n/t
EC
(12,287 posts)I like movies about revolutions in South America. Shows what happens when the 1% rule the 99% without any representative government. Dictatorships can happen anywhere, all that's needed is a conclave of rich 1%er's putting an empty suit that is also a bit psychopathic in office and there you go.
On edit: I forgot "Being There" Jerzy Kosinski's book with Peter Sellers. I shows how the media can blow up a candidate to more than he is.
JustAnotherGen
(31,683 posts)Norma Rae
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
The Best Man - written by Gore Vidal
ProgressiveEconomist
(5,818 posts)of politics.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Th1onein
(8,514 posts)It's a documentary, but I remember when it happened. It was BIG news in Houston at the time. They dogged this doctor and dogged this doctor and even tried to steal his patents! He fought back.
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)But, I like :
CHINATOWN ("Politicians, ugly buildings and whores all get respectable if they last long enough".)
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)Mayberry Machiavelli
(21,096 posts)Edweird
(8,570 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Droogies turned into cops.
Scientific experimentation on humans for political purposes.
The use of Alex as a politcal prop at the end of the film.
All the sleazy machinations going on behind the smiling faces of the politicians.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)One of the most prophetic movies of all time.
Ghost of Tom Joad
(1,352 posts)Battle of Algiers is a close second.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)as is Michael Collins.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)is another outstanding flim.
WeekendWarrior
(1,437 posts)The Conversation (not strictly about politics, but about the effects and failures of surveillance, phone tapping, etc.)
Dave
All the President's Men
The Candidate
Parallax View
Ides of March
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)sadbear
(4,340 posts)BlueinOhio
(238 posts)With Glen Ford, Marlon Brando and Henry Morgan. I forgot Eddie Albert.
mucifer
(23,374 posts)graham4anything
(11,464 posts)"I like to watch TV"
however, the end of the movie sucked big time, and that scene might have cost Sellers the Oscar he so deserved.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)notundecided
(196 posts)Greatest political movie of all time.
Blue Belle
(5,912 posts)Meet John Doe reminds me of how the tea party gets it start as a faux grass roots movement (even though the movie was made in 1941). Face in the Crowd illustrates how personalities like Glenn Beck can gain influence over voters (even though the movie was made in 1957).
oneshooter
(8,614 posts)bottomofthehill
(8,261 posts)Best line "Best goddam yes men money can buy"
valerief
(53,235 posts)graham4anything
(11,464 posts)and most other Henry Fonda classics that he himself helped to finance
Where the little guy (aka the democrat) goes against the corporate system
(most people don't remember anymore what a great Liberal, pro-union, pro-worker Henry Fonda was, largely due to his daughters incidents over the years obscuring it).
I would rather watch Henry over Jimmy Stewart any day of the week
and if only Henry Fonda were President instead of Ronald Reagan
Firebrand Gary
(5,044 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)eqfan592
(5,963 posts)It's one of those movies that if it's on, I stop and watch it no matter what.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)Bruce Greenwood is great as JFK, and the actor who plated Bobby was so good it was freaky (Steven Culp).
The way JFK stood up to the Joint Chiefs during the Cuban Missile Crisis was fantastic (not sure how historically accurate it was, but it was riveting drama).
longship
(40,416 posts)Except for the sappy Kenny O'Donnel back story. Also, Costner's Boston accent was cringe-worthy. But, I agree, Greenwood and Culp were incredible as JFK and RFK.
Kevin Conway was chilling as Curtis LeMay, who actually used the crisis to attempt to bring on open nuclear hostilities between the US and USSR.
We all know the end, but this movie still chills one to the bone. It is a story that could not be told until the USSR falls and their archive of that era was opened up for the world to see.
A great flick. I was 14 years old at the time. I worked delivering newspapers every day (in Detroit) and I will never forget how scared everybody was. But nobody knew how actually close we came.
This flick tells just how close it was.
lexx21
(321 posts)It's a movie about the first free election in Russia. Great movie!
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Mac1949
(389 posts)while it's not a movie, I have to mention The Prisoner series.
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)Never seen a better recounting of the nexus between the political world and the worker.