Films about elections often delve into the complexities and intrigues of political campaigns, electoral processes, and the consequences of election outcomes. They explore themes such as power, corruption, democracy, and the human spirit. These movies not only entertain but also provoke thought, providing insights on the impact of politics on individual lives and society as a whole.
“The Candidate”, 1972
Director: Michael Ritchie
This film stars Robert Redford as a lawyer manipulated into running for the U.S. Senate. It explores the transformation he undergoes as he becomes more involved in the political machinery.
Starring: Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Melvyn Douglas, Don Porter, Allen Garfield, Karen Carlson, Quinn K. Redeker, Morgan Upton, Michael Lerner, Kenneth Tobey;
Production year: 1972;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Candidate” on the website imdb.com
“Wag the Dog”, 1997
Director: Barry Levinson
A satirical black comedy about a spin doctor and a Hollywood producer who join forces to fabricate a war in order to distract the public from a presidential sex scandal during an election.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson, Denis Leary, Willie Nelson, Andrea Martin, Michael Belson, Suzanne Cryer, John Michael Higgins;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Wag the Dog” on the website imdb.com
“Election”, 1999
Director: Alexander Payne
A black comedy that follows an overachieving high school student's relentless campaign to become school president and the teacher who tries to stop her.
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik, Phil Reeves, Molly Hagan, Delaney Driscoll, Colleen Camp, Frankie Ingrassia;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Election” on the website imdb.com
“Recount”, 2008
Director: Jay Roach
This television film dramatizes the events of the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent recounts in Florida.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Bob Balaban, Ed Begley Jr., Laura Dern, John Hurt, Denis Leary, Bruce McGill, Tom Wilkinson, Bruce Altman, Jayne Atkinson;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, history;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“The Ides of March”, 2011
Director: George Clooney
Starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, this political drama is about an idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate who gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Max Minghella, Jennifer Ehle, Gregory Itzin;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Lincoln”, 2012
Director: Steven Spielberg
While primarily about the passage of the 13th Amendment, this film also includes Abraham Lincoln's maneuvering of associates and opponents to achieve electoral success.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Bruce McGill;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 150 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Lincoln” on the website imdb.com
“The Purge: Election Year”, 2016
Director: James DeMonaco
In a dystopian future, this thriller follows a presidential candidate campaigning to end the Purge, a night during which all crime is legal.
Starring: Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson, J.J. Soria, Betty Gabriel, Terry Serpico, Edwin Hodge, Kyle Secor, Barry Nolan, Liza Colón-Zayas;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: horror, science fiction, action, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “The Purge: Election Year” on the website imdb.com
These films provide various insights into how elections can shape a nation, influence personal morals, and alter the course of history.
In essence, films about elections distill the volatility, passion, and intrigue that underpin our political processes, serving as a mirror to the society in which they are set. They spotlight the tactics, triumphs, and often the moral quandaries inherent in the fight for power. Whether it’s the nail-biting suspense of a grassroots campaign, the sharp satire of political machinations, or the stirring idealism of a candidate fighting against the odds, election films capture the drama of democracy in action. They remind audiences that behind every ballot is a story, behind every campaign a cadre of hopes and dreams, and, crucially, they reaffirm the vital importance of civic engagement in shaping our collective future. The cinematic exploration of elections does more than entertain; it provokes thought, incites emotion, and, at its best, inspires change.
