Calling All Movie Nerds!

[Kam]

So, here's the story. My dad's handling his recent unemployment in the complete opposite way to me; he's went back to university and he's currently studying some sort of politics course.

For a recent assignment he has to write a paper on a film with a political message and how it's conveyed. I gave him a few ideas but I couldn't think of half as many films as I thought I'd be able to.

Can anyone name a movie or two with a political message? It's not supposed to be a movie that's blatently about politics, ie; featuring political characters and set in a political environment. It has to be just something with a subtle, more hidden theme or message. It can be satire or allegory or whatever. It just has to be able to be interpreted as being vaguely political, even if that wasn't the original intentions of the writers or directors.

Me and my da thank you in advance, folks.

[ginormous]

Many people viewed the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers as a reflection of the McCarthyist fears running through America, at the time of the film's release.

[idsnowdog]

He should do a report about the movie "Network". It's from 1976, but its message is prophetic and timely. If you wanted a blueprint on how to brainwash the masses it's in network.

[JOLLY]

Planet of the Apes. I watched a show about it on the Biography channel recently and they were talking about all the underlying political themes in it.

[newking70]

the manchurian candidate, dr. strangelove

[Kam]

He should do a report about the movie "Network". It's from 1976, but its message is prophetic and timely. If you wanted a blueprint on how to brainwash the masses it's in network.

Could have a winner here, actually. I just bought that DVD a week ago but I haven't got around to watching it yet. I'll lend it to him next time I see him.

Planet Of The Apes is another classic that I should have thought of.

Great suggestions so far, guys. Keep'em coming!

[ehdwuld]

lord of the rings
as a social indictment on the industrial revolution

inconvenient truth
anything with Al Gore

any of Micheal Moores films

[idsnowdog]

[Silver]

The Motorcycle Diaries is a fantastic film.

[Jessie's ghost]

If he really wants to get his hands dirty, there's always Howards End. It's more socioeconomic than political, but to the extent that social policy and economics are political, it's right in there.

[PVFan]

The Fog of War, the one about McNamara

Gomorrah, about pan-cultural mob politics, then extrapolate

more like what you probably meant:

M*A*S*H

Manchurian Candidate, w/ sub-thesis on differences in political messaging between the two versions, the original and remake.

King of the Ants, for a macro view. Like a little model. If anyone saw that PM me.

[loudriver23]

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
They talk with, meet, and kidnap Abe Lincoln, Socrates, and Napoleon.

[Aceman]

Star Wars I, II, III

Play trade powers off of each other for financial gain against an incompetent slow legislative body and take over the country - ahem I mean universe.

If the imperial senate isn't congress....and the whole stay in power no matter what thing. Tons of stuff.


Chuck Bronson in Death Wish. Very personal movie - but all is set around crime.

Mad Max. Decline of punishment for crime/mental illness as an excuse. Anti-car/fuel culture - See also the Road warrior. Again - very personal action movies, but very foreboding.

[Redmist]

American History X

Che

Apocalypse Now

V for Vendetta

The Wind that Shakes the Barley

Shindler's List

[crguti]

this movie cannot be more political...

[Powdered Toast Man]

Borat. As crude as it can be, it really provokes some interesting reactions and observations of American culture.

You could also check out a movie called "Canadian Bacon." It's a fictional and satirical look at Canada/US relations. It's directed by Michael Moore, and starts John Candy with lots of guest appearances like Dan Ackroyd.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Bacon

[ginormous]

J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" books were thoroughly analyzed for some political or religious subtext, but until his passing he denied ever including any such thing.

Perhaps the Peter Jackson movies showed something... hmm...

[misterwhizzy]

I mentioned this movie before... Daybreakers. The whole thing is a look into the role of capitalism and the policies that are set up that won't do the people any good. It's also a poorly veiled treatise on overuse of fossil fuels. I liked the movie, even though I didn't necessarily agree with the message.

Also, Road to Perdition. An interesting look at the life of the "bad guy" turned good. I actually hated it, because the whole message was that regardless of what a person does, guns are bad. I walked out angry, and I think it was because of the political message.

[Stevo]

Planet of the Apes - Original version with Charlton Heston. Very political in an ironic way

Pleasantville: Lots of stereotypes and inuendo regarding racism, civil rights etc.

Apocalypse Now: Regarding Viet Nam and Cambodia. Definitely one of my favorite war movies.

[Bass_Medic_05]

The Ring - Abortion is very bad and it destroys families, whispers, The Ring.

Alien - You’d think this movie was a classic sci-fi flick but is really about not having sex until you’re married.

Falling Down - William Foster embodies post-Cold War America; no more Soviet Union and thus no more purpose. (Great movie by the way)

Movies by Micael Moore