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The Second Civil War (1997) (TV)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Martyn Burke (written by)
Release Date:
15 March 1997 (USA)
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Tagline:
A very uncivil comedy
Plot:
A simple immigration issue spins wildly out of control for those involved, ranging from the President of the United States, to a news producer. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Primetime Emmy.
Another 1 win
&
1 nomination
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User Comments:
Timely political farce
more (17 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Beau Bridges | ... | Gov. Jim Farley | |
| Joanna Cassidy | ... | Helena Newman | |
| Phil Hartman | ... | The President | |
| James Earl Jones | ... | Jim Kalla | |
| James Coburn | ... | Jack Buchan | |
| Dan Hedaya | ... | Mel Burgess | |
| Elizabeth Peña | ... | Christina | |
| Denis Leary | ... | Vinnie Franko | |
| Ron Perlman | ... | Alan Manieski | |
| Kevin Dunn | ... | Jimmy Cannon | |
| Shelley Malil | ... | Congressman Singh | |
| Brian Keith | ... | Maj. Gen. Charles Buford | |
| Kevin McCarthy | ... | Chief of Staff | |
| Dick Miller | ... | Eddie O'Neill | |
| William Schallert | ... | Secretary of Defense |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language and some war violence.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Executive producer Barry Levinson was originally supposed to direct the film, but had to bow out.
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Quotes:
Mel Burgess:
Stop with the college debate, will you? We're news, emotions happen outside!
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Movie Connections:
References Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (17 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Second Civil War (1997) (TV)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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Recommendations
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |


A funny, old-fashioned political farce set in an up-to-the-minute situation. An aggressive woman who heads an organization to "save the children" plans to move Pakistani orphans to Idaho. The governor of that state (Beau Bridges) decides to play to anti-immigrant sentiment by saying he will close the borders against further immigration.
The American President (Phil Hartman) is a simpleton who managed by his political adviser (James Coburn). They're only interested in re-election, and are perfectly willing to resort to civil war to make it happen.
A CNN-like news organization, "NN", which employs a rainbow of immigrants, and whose announcer is James Earl Jones, plays the potential conflict for all the advertising dollars it's worth.
The governor (Beau Bridges) is really much more interested in his affair with a Mexican American reporter for "NN", and she seems to be the only person aware of the irony.