Excruciating decisions — many lists like this exist, and so what are the criteria? A political movie needs to say something, say it well and deliver theatrically. To me political struggles are about power and injustice, the organization of society. I’ve seen a lot of films, not as many as some but more than most.
Best / Most Impact
Bob Roberts
This may be the best American political movie of all time.
JFK
This may also be the best American political movie of all time.
Chinatown
Emotional punch, rawness that isn’t apparent until the very end.
All the President’s Men
I felt obligated to watch this again, but it sure does slice deeply, if a little short on action.
Full Metal Jacket
The military culture opened up like a festering wound.
Battleship Potempkin
Classic for a reason, quite useful to study.
I Claudius
Noticed this on another list, and was instantly sold. It’s a TV production, a mini-series but why not? This deserves to be here.
The Tudors
Similarly a mini-series, set in the court of Henry VIII, done with such perfection it has to be recognized.
Caligula
The most chilling, raw film on the entire list. Mad Caesar, the fitting heir to a mad culture, the pinnacle of absolute power and atrocity.
Dr. Strangelove
The cold war in a nutshell.
Idiocracy
A favorite of mine, and we quote it often. America continues down this path every day, and it is unlikely to ever seem dated, barring nuclear annihilation.
Platoon
The US military as its own universe.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The correct take and the correct villains.
Miss Bala
How a corrupt narco empire intersects with the people under its dominion.
Brazil
Fascism, absurdism, escapism.
The Player
Hollywood as a class system.
American Psycho
Ivy league Mansons: the masters of the universe.
Cosmopolis
Elite self-loathing, power disparity and the obscenity of unrestrained capitalism.
The Thin Red Line
Another take on the military, war as conquest and thought the enemy of soldiers.
A Clockwork Orange
The state vs. crime, an experiment not so difficult to imagine.
Raising Arizona
Recidivism, ethics, morality and love.
Election
Ethics vs. morality.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The rot at the center of American politics, pervasive corruption, social manipulation.
Thirteen Days
Nuclear brinksmanship and the madmen clamoring to wage war at any price.
The Pianist
Warsaw Ghetto, the politics of survival.
28 Days Later
At the edge of civilization, humanity is stripped away.
Robocop
Corporate takeover of policing and government.
Aguirre: The Wrath of God
Fools rush in.
How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Society necessitates a personality split, and can only continue in its present form by destroying.
Heathers
Society as a high school.
The Road Warrior
The forces of civilization vs. the forces of anarchy, and one man caught in the middle.
Eyes Wide Shut
Elite depravity and unaccountability.
Bridge Over the River Kwai
Stockholm Syndrome, myopia, desperation clouds the mind.
Almost But NO.
The Ghost Writer
I was torn where this should end up. It’s a little slow and understated for the mass audience.
The Manchurian Candidate
I don’t consider this a political film at all, but a psychological thriller.
Bulworth
Eh, upon further reflection Warren Beatty’s performance makes me a little embarrassed to include this at all. C+ for effort though.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Greatest zombie film, but not purely political.
Three Kings
Top notch film, but politically rather tepid.
Frost/Nixon
Interesting on a small scale.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Great racial themes, as well as an amusing take on southern politics, but a little silly.
The Battle of Algiers
This ranking may draw some fire. It’s a good story, but the pacing and execution are dated.
Gandhi
Too long. Cut that thing down.
The Lives of Others
Slow and less than edge of the seat for far too long.
Downfall
Another close call. Should it go in the above list? It has the feel of a contained stage play, a little small for the best of list.
Black Dynamite
Too silly, but a hell of a fun ride. I wouldn’t feel right about a Blaxploitation spoof film on the best-of list, but the ending is too much to ignore.
The Insider
Solid film, just not great.
Erin Brockovich
Also solid story, important, but not truly great cinematically.
V For Vendetta
Don’t know about this one. I enjoyed it, but it really shows its problems in terms of pacing and lack of suspense.
Watchmen
Great comic book film, perhaps the best one – maybe should get moved up the page.
The Parallax View
Creepy paranoid thriller, seems a little dated now.
The Matrix
A little too Keanu. A little too over the top. Way too dumb.
Der Tunnel
Great film but a bit one-sided in its perspective, giving it some shallow moments, as in a number of generic action films.
The Distinguished Gentleman
Too silly to be a serious contender, but the story is worth a view.
Not Yet Seen
New page with all of the BEST-OF LISTS.