The War Room [Criterion Collection]

The War Room [Criterion Collection]

Director: Christopher Hughes, Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
Cast: James Carville
James Carville
, George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos
The War Room [Criterion Collection]

The War Room [Criterion Collection]

Director: Christopher Hughes, Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
Cast: James Carville
James Carville
, George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos

DVD

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Overview

"A look inside the 1992 presidential race, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hedgus' documentary The War Room explores the backstage side of national politics by examining the day-to-day operations of Bill Clinton's campaign staff. The behind-the-scenes leader of the group is James Carville, the demonstrative, charismatic campaign manager who relies on a plain-speaking manner and emotional appeals to motivate his subordinates. He is complemented by the quieter, smoother personality and photogenic looks of young press spokesman George Stephanopoulous. The filmmakers follow these two contrasting personalities from the January New Hampshire primary to Clinton's eventual victory, as they attempt to cling to an overall strategic plan while dealing with unforeseen problems and negative press, as their candidate is saddled with accusations of adultery and draft-dodging. Subplots include the rivalries between Democratic campaign staffs -- which can become amusingly petty, as when they accuse each other of tearing down campaign posters -- and the romantic relationship between Carville and Mary Matalin, chief strategist for George Bush's campaign. Co-director D.A. Pennebaker (Monterey Pop, Don't Look Back, Primary) is renowned as an innovator in the use of cinema-verite, used here to show both the mundane complications and the emotional highlights of the modern political process."

Product Details

Release Date: 03/20/2012
UPC: 0715515091916
Original Release: 1993
Rating: PG
Source: Criterion Collection
Region Code: 1
Language: English
Time: 1:36:00
Sales rank: 33,683

Special Features

Return of the War Room, a 2008 documentary by Hegedus and Pennebaker in which advisers James Carville, George Stephanopoulos, Paul Begala, and others reflect on the effect that the Clinton war room had on the way campaigns are run; New pieces in which the filmmakers discuss the difficulties of shooting in teh campaign's fast-paced environment; Panel discussion hosted by the William J. Clinton Foundation, featuring Carville, Clinton adviser Vernon Jordan, journalist Ron Brownstein, and surprise guest Bill Clinton; Interview with strategist Stanley Greenberg on the evolution of polling; Plus: a booklet featuring an essay by writer Louis Menand

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
James Carville Self
George Stephanopoulos Self
Paul Begala Self
Bill Clinton Self,Self,Self,Self,Self(as Hillary Rodham Clinton)
Stan Greenberg Self(as Stan Greenberg)
Mandy Grunwald Self
Harold Ickes Self
Mary Matalin Self,Self
Mickey Kantor Self
Mitchell Schwartz Self
Eric Berman Self
John Bickerstaff Self
George W. Bush Self

Technical Credits
Chris Hegedus Director,Director
R.J. Cutler Producer,Producer
Wendy Ettinger Producer,Executive Producer
Frazer Pennebaker Producer,Producer,Director,Executive Producer
Christopher Hughes Director
Charlie Arnot Sound/Sound Designer
David Dawkins Sound/Sound Designer
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