1431 at RCPL (Film and Sound) - Spotlight September 2008

Elections & Politics in Film

Welcome to the 2008 general election, 1431 style. Politics certainly has its share of real life drama. Check out some of these political dramas on . Click on a title to check the catalog for availability or call us at 929-3450 for assistance.

All the President's Men

Based on the book by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, this 1976 feature film depicts the true story of the Watergate break-in that led to the political scandal of the decade.

The American President

Andrew Shepherd is a consummate politician and a man of integrity, who also happens to be a widower, ready to start dating again. He is swept off his feet by a lobbyist, Sydney Ellen Wade. His critics rant that the relationship is immoral and his friends proclaim that it's romantic, but one thing is certain, all that stands between true love and re-election is the approval of the American public.

The Candidate

While Richard Nixon is on his way to re-election by a landslide, a young, honest, idealistic lawyer begins to learn the truth about running for office. Released in 1972, this classic political film stars Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, and Melvin Douglas.

Election

Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), a straight-A-go-getter is determined to be president of Carver High's student body. Popular teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) decides to derail Tracy's obsessive overachieving by recruiting an opposition candidate. Mr. M never imagines that stopping Tracy is like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. This film is based on the novel by Tom Perrotta.

Manchurian Candidate (1962)

A U.S. Army platoon, captured in the Korean conflict, is whisked to Manchuria for three nightmarish days of experimental drug-and-hypnosis-induced conditioning to carry out the orders of the enemy upon release. When a decorated Korean War veteran who has been brainwashed starts to commit political assassinations, his old military commander begins to suspect and must stop him. This Cold War political thriller stars Frank Sinatra and is based on the novel by Richard Condon.

Manchurian Candidate (2004)

When his army unit is ambushed during the first Gulf War, Sergeant Raymond Shaw saves his fellow soldiers just as his commanding officer, Major Ben Marco, is knocked unconscious. Using the incident for political gain, Shaw eventually becomes a vice-presidential nominee, but Marco is haunted by dreams of what really happened in Iraq. As Marco investigates, the story begins to unravel. He begins to figure that the entire unit was kidnapped and brainwashed as part of a plot to get Shaw into the White House. Now the Manchurian Global corporation appears desperate to stop him from finding out. This 2004 version starring Denzel Washington is a remake of the 1962 film, also based on Richard Condon's novel.

Primary Colors

Jack Stanton is a virtually unknown Southern governor on a quest for the White House with his strong, savvy and equally ambitious wife, Susan. Running against the odds, the Stantons need all the help they can get from their extremely colorful political team. Together, they take off on a hilarious, heart-wrenching and ultimately history-making roller coaster ride to the top.

Wag the Dog

When the President is caught in a sex scandal less than 2 weeks before the election, "Mr. Fix-it" decides they need a war to distract the public's attention and he calls on Hollywood's top producer to create it. Based on the novel American Hero by Larry Beinhart, this 1997 film stars Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro.

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