Politics In Film

Politics In Film

It’s politics as usual during the days leading up to elections in November. We take a look at some of the politically charged films that have come out of Hollywood.

Air Force One (1997)

Although the movie is mainly an action/adventure, there were still plenty of political ramifications. After a speech in Moscow, President Marshall (Harrison Ford) along with his family and members of his staff, are headed back home via Air Force One. But when Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) and his crew, posing as reporters hijack the airplane in an attempt to free General Radek (Jurgen Prochnow), there’s only one person aboard who can save them.

All The King’s Men (1949 and 2006)

Will Willie Stark succumb to the same detractors that previous political candidates have? “All the King’s Men” starred Broderick Crawford (in the 1949) version and Sean Penn (in 2006) as the Louisiana gubernatorial candidate.

All The President’s Men (1976)

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward find themselves in the midst of the Watergate scandal in “All the President’s Men”. The movie starred Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein and Robert Redford as Woodward.

The American President (1995)

Will love win out when President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) falls for political lobbyist and friend of the opposition, Sydney Wade (Annette Bening)? “The American President” also starred Richard Dreyfuss, Michael J. Fox and Martin Sheen.

Bob Roberts (1992)

This mock documentary told the story of a folk singer turned Senate candidate. Tim Robbins starred in the movie’s title role which also featured Alan Rickman, James Spader and David Strathairn.

Bulworth (1998)

After hiring a hit man against himself, Senator Bulworth (Warren Beatty) goes about his re-election campaign by telling people exactly what he thinks mixed with a little rap music. Will things change for him when he begins to fall for Nina (Halle Berry)?

The Candidate (1972)

The boisterous Bill McKay (Robert Redford) is the token candidate to run against the incumbent senator in California. But when it looks like he may have a shot at winning, McKay is still determined to do things his way.

Dave (1993)

Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) is the head of the temp agency who happens to have an uncanny resemblance to President Bill Mitchell (also Kevin Kline). When Dave is asked to portray the President in order to bypass a potential scandal, things don’t go according to plan. “Dave” also starred Sigourney Weaver as Ellen, the First Lady.

Dick (1999)

What happens when two girls (Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams) stray from a White House tour and meet President Nixon (Dan Hedaya)? “Dick” also starred Will Ferrell.

Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

When a rogue General in the U.S. Air Force (Sterling Hayden) plans to bomb the U.S.S.R. and thus annihilating mankind in the process due to the Doomsday machine, it’s up to the powers that be to put a stop to it. “Dr. Strangelove” featured the all star cast of Peter Sellers (in three roles including the title character, British Captain Mandrake and President Muffley), James Earl Jones, Slim Pickens and George C. Scott.

Election (1999)

Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is an overachiever who is running for president of the student body at Carver High. When it looks like she’ll win the election by default, the school’s ethics teacher, Mr. McAllister (Matthew Broderick) has other motives when he convinces Paul (Chris Klein) to run against her.

JFK (1991)

This 1991 Oliver Stone film focuses on the potential cover-up of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Will Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) be able to find out the truth? “JFK” also starred Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald.

Man Of The Year (2006)

What happens when the host of a political talk show (Robin Williams) runs for President as a gag and ultimately wins the election? Laura Linney and Christopher Walken also starred in this 2006 comedy.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962 and 2004)

Has a war hero been brainwashed as part of a political assassination plot? 1962’s “Manchurian Candidate” starred Laurence Harvey as Korean War hero Raymond Shaw and Frank Sinatra as Major Marco who’s trying to get to the bottom of the ploy. The movie also starred Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury. 2004’s “Manchurian Candidate” starred Liev Schreiber as Gulf War hero Shaw while Denzel Washington portrayed Marco. Meryl Streep rounded out the cast as Eleanor Shaw, a character similar to Lansbury’s Mrs. Iselin.

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939)

There’s more to Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) than meets the eye when he is chosen to fill a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. Stewart received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the film’s title character.

Primary Colors (1998)

It’s not all fun and games for Henry Burton (Adrian Lester) when he joins the Presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta). Burton gets to see the seedier side of politics with the candidate and his wife Susan (Emma Thompson). “Primary Colors” also starred Kathy Bates, Larry Hagman and Billy Bob Thornton.

Wag The Dog (1997)

When a scandal threatens to derail the president’s (Michael Belson) re-election campaign, an advisor (Robert DeNiro) concocts a plan with a Hollywood film maker (Dustin Hoffman) to produce a faux Albanian war through the media.

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