Hillary Rodham Clinton has been one of the most prominent figures in American politics for decades. As the former First Lady of the United States, a U.S. Senator, the Secretary of State, and a two-time presidential candidate, her life and career have been the subject of public interest and scrutiny. This interest extends to the realm of film, where a variety of documentaries and dramatizations have sought to capture different aspects of her life, including her political career, her personal life, and her role in American and global politics. These films aim to shed light on her challenges, achievements, and influence, providing audiences with insight into one of the most influential women in recent history.
Films About Hillary Clinton
“Hillary”, 2020
Director: Nanette Burstein
This is not a theatrical film but a four-part documentary series streaming on Hulu. Directed by Nanette Burstein, the series offers an intimate look at the life and career of Hillary Rodham Clinton, featuring exclusive interviews with Hillary herself, Bill Clinton, friends, and journalists. It covers her early life, her marriage, and her role in American politics, providing a detailed exploration of her 2016 presidential campaign.
Starring: Jennifer Palmieri, Amy Chozick, Peter Baker, Robby Mook, Mandy Grunwald, Nick Merril, Andrea Mitchell, Joe Klein, Chelsea Clinton, Paul Begala;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: documentary, biography;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party”, 2016
Director: Dinesh D'Souza, Bruce Schooley
A conservative political documentary by Dinesh D'Souza, this film critiques Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. While the film is highly partisan and has been criticized for its accuracy, it provides a perspective on Hillary Clinton from the viewpoint of her critics on the political right.
Starring: Dinesh D'Souza, David Guyette, Andrea Cohen, Peter Schweizer, Mikaela Krantz, Carol Swain, Rebekah Turner, Jayvaugn Brown, Richard L. Olsen, Stuart Glass, Marc Jeffreys, Michael Clemmons, Howard Goldthwaite, Stephen Loftin, Mercedes Peterson, Gidget Taylor, Don Taylor, Sean McGraw, William Arthur Jenkins, Eric Vale, Kevin Crank, John Joslin, Maria Alexandra, Oscar Avila, Taylor Bedford, Cody Berry, Taylor Brock, Aaron Brubaker, Jeff Budemer, Roy Burger, Jonathan Michael Butkovsky, Cora Cardona, Aaron Carolina, Janessa Caroline, Wallace Carranza, Rebecca Chulew, Terrie Cooklin, Corey Cotten, Bill Cross, Giovannie Cruz, Douglas Cunningham, Debbie D'Souza, V-Ann Davis, Lee Durham, Chantz Eaton, Virouna Elia, Vernae Ewing, Martin Ezelle, Katie Fairbanks, Doron Drew Feldman, David Fenley, Jeff Fenter, Diego Fry, Todd Gable, Kenny Gardner, Robert Gordon, Dean Gosdin, Laura Griffin, PaulaSu Grisham, Allene Hillegas, Ray Nicholas Hosack, Shannon Houk, J.W. Hudson, Lori Huffman, Libby Hunt, Chris Hury, Lyn Jagger, C.W. Johnson Jr., Andrew Kar, Elizabeth Kelley, Jason P. Kendall, Tony Key, Jennie Kim, Victoria Kraus, Daniel Kulti, Gregory Charles Lane, Rick Lee, Kaylon LeFebvre, Richard Levi, Alvis Lewis, James Lewis, Stephen Limbaugh, Kady Lin, Shawna Linzy, Jim D. Madewell, Aaron Napier Martin, Patrick McAlister, Ron Monroe, Dean Morgan, Joshua Morris, Artie Mozzone, Diane Mozzone, J. Alan Nelson, Jenifer Noel, David Michael Otis, Roger D. Paschal, Cory Patt, Sonia Pourmand, Angela Ravitch, Mona Ricks, Bruce Roberts, Lisa Finan Rogers, Omar Rubio, Mike Scarlett, James Smith, Iryna Spitzer, Jessica Tarnowski, Craig Taylor, Joel David Taylor, Kristi Taylor, Laura Taylor, R.J. Taylor, Stan Taylor, Tim Taylor, Gary Teague, Rachel Truitt, Pat Turner, Todd Upchurch, Geovanni Ventura, Daniel Walker, Scot Walker, Leslyn Wallace, Makynna Wallace, Alexandria Walters, Mark Walters, Jency Allison Weeks, Jan Duncan Weir, Kyle F White, Neken Williams, Steve Young, Eric Zettina, John Anderson, Joe Atinsky, Stan-Lee Ray Baker, J. Scott Pennington, Shellie Erin Sampugnaro, Carl Thomas;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,8;
“Chappaquiddick”, 2017
Director: John Curran
Although not directly about Hillary Clinton, this film is included for its portrayal of American political dynasties and the complexities of their members' lives, reflecting the context in which Clinton's political career developed. It recounts the controversial events surrounding the 1969 car accident involving Senator Ted Kennedy. The connection to Hillary Clinton is tangential, through the broader themes of political power and public scrutiny.
Starring: Jason Clarke, Kate Mara, Ed Helms, Bruce Dern, Jim Gaffigan, Olivia Thirlby, Clancy Brown, Taylor Nichols, John Fiore, Gillian Mariner Gordon;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: thriller, drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Chappaquiddick” on the website imdb.com
“Rodham”
Director: James Ponsoldt
A biopic focusing on the formative years of Hillary Rodham (later Hillary Clinton), exploring her early legal career and her relationship with Bill Clinton. This film has been announced and is generating interest for its promise to provide a dramatized glimpse into the life of young Hillary, though details, including release date and completion status, may have changed after my last update.
Starring: -;
Genre: drama, biography;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
The films and series listed above reflect a diverse set of perspectives on Hillary Clinton, from admiring and analytical to critical and partisan. Each provides a unique lens through which viewers can attempt to understand the complex figure of Hillary Clinton, her impact on American politics, and her place in world history.
In surveying films about Hillary Clinton, we observe a cinematic exploration that oscillates between deep admiration and sharp critique, reflecting the polarized views of one of America’s most prominent public figures. These films, ranging from documentaries to dramatized narratives, offer a multifaceted look at Clinton’s life, from her early days as a lawyer and First Lady to her roles as a U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, and two-time presidential candidate. Through intimate interviews, insider footage, and dramatizations of key moments, filmmakers strive to peel back the layers of Clinton's public persona, revealing the complexities, controversies, and convictions that define her. Ultimately, the collection of films about Hillary Clinton invites viewers to engage in a nuanced conversation about power, gender, and politics in contemporary America, challenging audiences to reflect on their perceptions and understand the historical significance of Clinton’s journey within the broader context of American political life.