IMDb > WarGames (1983)
WarGames
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WarGames (1983) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   24,361 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Lawrence Lasker (written by) &
Walter F. Parkes (written by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for WarGames on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 June 1983 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The only winning move is not to play. more
Plot:
A young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations more
User Comments:
Nuggets of Truth more (121 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
War Games (USA) (alternative spelling)
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Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
WOPR goes through more than 150 possible scenarios in Global Thermonuclear War, including Zaire Alliance, Gabon Surprise, and English Thrust more
Goofs:
Continuity: David's "Galaga" high score changed when the game was "over". more
Quotes:
David Lightman: Joshua called me.
McKittrick: [incredulous] David, computers don't call people!
David Lightman: [shrugs] Yours did.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Eddie Izzard: Glorious (1997) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Video Fever more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
22 out of 31 people found the following comment useful.
Nuggets of Truth, 9 July 2003
10/10
Author: Angry_Arguer from Shermer, Illinois

WarGames remains the definitive "hacker" movie, surpassing the raunch of Swordfish and the idio-parody of AntiTrust. Historically-speaking, there are two movies that have shaped public opinion about computers: 2001 and WarGames. With 2001, there is the question of "What happens when an automated computer system makes decisions on its own?" In today's world of automatic Windows updates and random error messages for no reason, it seems very prophetic. WarGames poses the question of "Who uses the computer and what do they do?" The consequences, as one can easily guess, are enormous. Even when hardware ages, the ethics remain.

WarGames isn't perfect. There are plenty of logic problems in the script, but it still presents its topic with a naive fascination. What the writers don't know, they pretend they do. Matthew Broederick is, once again, the nerdy teen with social problems (Ferris Bueller had a different problem, though). Aside from Glory, he won't be able to shake that image even now in his 40s.

I saw this movie when I was eight and had to admit that if someone didn't understand the 80s "Red paranoia", then the whole movie was a misfire. I will admit, it fascinated me with computers and military hardware, changing my life forever in a subtle fashion.

Overall, an interesting movie that becomes more real every year. In today's world of identity theft, cyber-terrorism, MicroSoft, and broadband, some elements are undoubtedly lost on someone who can't remember or understand the Cold War. 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Message Boards

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How did FBI track Lightman down? bmacleod52
So much swearing in this movie! benbigwig-1
targets oldsalt61
25th Anniversary Edition - One Disc or Two? gklinger
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Mandark is in this movie!?? jj0908
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