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Bowling for Columbine

  • 2002
  • R
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
151K
YOUR RATING
Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
Home Video Trailer from MGM Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:07
2 Videos
47 Photos
Political DocumentaryCrimeDocumentaryDrama

Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.

  • Director
    • Michael Moore
  • Writer
    • Michael Moore
  • Stars
    • Michael Moore
    • Charlton Heston
    • Marilyn Manson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    151K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Moore
    • Writer
      • Michael Moore
    • Stars
      • Michael Moore
      • Charlton Heston
      • Marilyn Manson
    • 900User reviews
    • 154Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 39 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos2

    Bowling for Columbine
    Trailer 2:07
    Bowling for Columbine
    Bowling For Columbine: Epk
    Featurette 3:11
    Bowling For Columbine: Epk
    Bowling For Columbine: Epk
    Featurette 3:11
    Bowling For Columbine: Epk

    Photos47

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 43
    View Poster

    Top cast84

    Edit
    Michael Moore
    Michael Moore
    • Self - Narrator
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • Self
    Marilyn Manson
    Marilyn Manson
    • Self
    Salvador Allende
    Salvador Allende
    • Self - President of Chile
    • (archive footage)
    Mike Bradley
    • Self - Mayor of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
    Arthur A. Busch
    • Self - County Prosecutor: Flint, Michigan
    • (as Arthur Busch)
    George Bush
    George Bush
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    George W. Bush
    George W. Bush
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Michael Caldwell
    • Self - Police Detective
    Richard Castaldo
    Richard Castaldo
    • Self - Columbine Victim
    Dick Clark
    Dick Clark
    • Self
    Bill Clinton
    Bill Clinton
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Steve Davis
    • Self - Deputy Sheriff
    • (archive footage)
    Ngo Dinh Diem
    Ngo Dinh Diem
    • Self - President of South Vietnam
    • (archive footage)
    Mike Epstein
    • Self - Shopper in Mall
    Joe Farmer
    • Self - Superintendent of Schools
    • (archive footage)
    Denny Fennell
    • Self - Home Security Consultant
    Barry Glassner
    • Self - Author of 'The Culture of Fear'
    • (as Prof. Barry Glassner)
    • Director
      • Michael Moore
    • Writer
      • Michael Moore
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Because the film didn't fit neatly into any established categories at Cannes, the Jury created a special 55th Anniversary Award just for the film.
    • Goofs
      As Charlton Heston walks away from Michael Moore in the final interview, the scene cuts repeatedly between Heston (point of view from behind Moore) and Moore (point of view from the stairs directly in front of Moore) holding a photo of the slain Flint, Michigan girl and asking Heston to look at it. When the POV is of Moore holding the photo, there is clearly no cameraman anywhere behind him. The same with the POV of Heston, there is clearly no cameraman anywhere in front of Moore. So the two POVs were not filmed simultaneously as the film implies.
    • Quotes

      Michael Moore: If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in that community, what would you say to them if they were here right now?

      Marilyn Manson: I wouldn't say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did.

    • Crazy credits
      In the credits, there is a thank-you to Mike's Militia--Athens Branch. This does not exist; during his speaking engagement at Ohio University to promote his book "Stupid White Men", Michael Moore screened two versions of the "History of gun control" animated segment, which featured the same animation but different narration. The audience was asked to vote on which of the two versions should be included. After choosing a version, Moore claimed he would include Athens, Ohio and the audience in the credits, but wasn't sure what name to give credit to. Several suggestions were shouted out and Mike Michigan Militia, Athens, Ohio branch was finally chosen.
    • Alternate versions
      In the theatrical release, a caption was inserted into a 1988 Bush-Quayle ad, "Revolving Doors," which read "Willie Horton released. Then kills again." In the DVD release, the caption reads "Willie Horton released. Then rapes a woman." Neither version makes it clear that the text was not part of the original ad.
    • Connections
      Edited from Peasants' Paradise (1931)
    • Soundtracks
      Take the Skinheads Bowling
      (1985)

      Written by Victor Krummenacher, David Lowery, Christopher Molla, and

      Jonathan Segel

      Performed by Teenage Fanclub

    User reviews900

    Featured review
    8/10

    Not really about Harris and Klebold, the Columbine shooters; more about the gun problem in America

    As most of the world knows, in April 1999, two Columbine High School students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, took guns to school and shot thirteen students and one teacher dead. How did they get the guns? What does bowling have to do with anything? Those looking for an in-depth look at the two shooters will be disappointed. Although Mr Moore does record that Harris and Klebold went bowling on the morning of the shooting and later takes two of the wounded students, now recovered, to buy bullets at Kmart, this is not really about Eric and Dylan. Rather, it is more of an examination of the "gun culture" of the USA. The National Rifle Association, in this film headed by Charlton Heston, has ensured that getting a gun and ammunition is as easy as filling a prescription. Moore notes that we are unique among countries in that our rate of gun shootings and killings far surpasses that of Canada, our nearest neighbor, and other Western civilizations. Some have blamed violent video games, some singers like Marilyn Manson (interviewed in this film as a favorite singer of Harris), still others that "family department" stores like Kmart and Walmart have the weapons and the ammo. Interestingly, Moore also takes a look at Work-to-Welfare programs like the one near his hometown of Flint, Michigan. A young single mother was forced to work at a casino, 90 minutes away, to satisfy the welfare requirements but still couldn't pay the bills. When she was forced to move in with an uncle and had to leave her six year old son in his care, the young lad found his uncle's gun and took it to class, only to shoot a fellow student dead. what a tragedy! In short, anyone wanting to talk about the Second Amendment and gun control would do well to begin with this film. Those seeking in- depth information on the Columbine shooting should look elsewhere.
    • inkblot11
    • May 1, 2017
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 15, 2002 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Germany
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Masacre en Columbine
    • Filming locations
      • Windsor, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • United Artists
      • Alliance Atlantis Communications
      • Salter Street Films International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,576,018
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $209,148
      • Oct 13, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $58,015,923
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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