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The Insider (1999)

7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 99,199 users   Metascore: 84/100
Reviews: 495 user | 200 critic | 34 from Metacritic.com

A research chemist comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a "60 Minutes" expose on Big Tobacco.

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Title: The Insider (1999)

The Insider (1999) on IMDb 7.9/10

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Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 28 wins & 34 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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Storyline

Balls-out "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman sniffs a story when a former research biologist for Brown & Williamson, Jeff Wigand, won't talk to him. When the company leans hard on Wigand to honor a confidentiality agreement, he gets his back up. Trusting Bergman and despite a crumbling marriage, he goes on camera for a Mike Wallace interview and risks arrest for contempt of court. Westinghouse is negotiating to buy CBS, so CBS attorneys advise CBS News to shelve the interview and avoid a lawsuit. "60 Minutes" and CBS News bosses cave, Wigand is hung out to dry, Bergman is compromised, and the CEOs of Big Tobacco may get away with perjury. Will the truth out? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Two men driven to tell the truth... whatever the cost. See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

5 November 1999 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Man of the People  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£437,078 (UK) (10 March 2000)

Gross:

$28,965,197 (USA) (21 April 2000)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The courtroom where Jeffrey Wigand gives his deposition is not a set. The filmmakers used the actual courtroom in Jackson County Mississippi where the real Wigand's deposition was given. See more »

Goofs

When Bergman first calls Scruggs (as he's flying his Lear jet), Scruggs calls in to air traffic control saying he's "Lear November 643", yet the external shot of the jet shows the registration number to be N[ovember] 6100". Then shortly after returning Bergman's call Scruggs walks out to the runway and the jet now has a registration number of "N550M". See more »

Quotes

Jeffrey Wigand: I can't seem to find the criteria to decide. It's too big a decision to make without being resolved in my own mind.
Lowell Bergman: Maybe things have changed.
Jeffrey Wigand: What's changed?
Lowell Bergman: You mean since this morning?
Jeffrey Wigand: No, I mean since whenever.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The O'Reilly Factor: Episode dated 1 February 2008 (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

"Smokey Mountain Waltz"
Written and Performed by Richard Gilks
Courtesy of Associated Production Music
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A Great Movie, Very Underrated, Due To Poor Marketing
22 March 2007 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Russell Crowe at his best as a Kentucky tobacco executive in Eric Roth and Michael Mann's masterpiece, "The Insider," is one of the most underrated American films ever. Not only is it important historically for its political implications - not about tobacco, but about conflicts of commercial interest that control freedom of speech along the airwaves in the U.S.- it is a great story and it is true. Disney had no idea how to market "The Insider" and essentially sold it as tobacco movie and it is so much more. Pacino gives a grand A plus performance as a Long Island Jewish producer and halfway through the movie I forgot he was Al Pacino. Even better Christopher Plummer masterfully captures the full essence of Mike Wallace. Gina Gershon could turn lust from a stone as always. Michael Mann seems to always pull strong performances from his actors, and Eric Roth who brilliantly adapted "Forrest Gump" did the same here with Mann. Though long, "The Insider" is never boring and a movie all Americans should see twice to make sure they fully comprehend regardless of how you feel about the tobacco debate.


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This is why the 90's was the best decade for movies! James_Senior
I can't believe this STILL isn't available on Blu-ray! mpop314
One of the best movies ever made. Amadeus11
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