The War Room (1993)

A documentary of the Bill Clinton 1992 presidential campaign and the organization who ran it.

Directors:

Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker

Stars:

James Carville, George Stephanopoulos, Heather Beckel

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Carville	...	Self
George Stephanopoulos	...	Self
Heather Beckel	...	Self
Paul Begala	...	Self
Bob Boorstin	...	Self
Mike Donilon	...	Self (as Michael Donnilon)
Jeff Eller	...	Self
Stanley Greenberg	...	Self (as Stan Greenberg)
Mandy Grunwald	...	Self
Harold Ickes	...	Self
Mickey Kantor	...	Self
Mary Matalin	...	Self
Mitchell Schwartz	...	Self
Dave Anderson	...	Self
Collier Andress	...	Self

Storyline

A behind-the-scenes documentary about the Clinton for President campaign, focusing on the adventures of spin doctors James Carville and George Stephanopoulos. Bill Clinton himself is almost never seen.

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Plot Keywords:

primary election | on the road | campaign | presidential campaign | president | 

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Taglines:

They Changed The Way Campaigns Are Won.

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

From 1:08:19 to 1:08:29, you can see a man in a gray suit pickpocket a camera operator on the right side of the screen.

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Quotes

George Stephanopoulos: [on the phone before Election Day] I got up this morning, as I was driving to work, I started to cry. I couldn't keep it - I just can't, I can't cope right now... Right... Man, I'm scared. Because we're all gonna have to jump off a bridge. Because, you know, 'cause of the last two days... Because of the last two days... Yeah. It'll just be - it's kind a mass thing, we can all just drink some Kool-Aid.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Vince Vaughn/George Stephanopoulos/Liza Treyger/Hannah Welton (2016)

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Soundtracks

Vote for the Rythm
Written by Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger, Al Siegel
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald/Chick Webb Band
Published by Famous Music Corp.

User Reviews

An Interesting Look into one of the last True Campaigns

The opening of the War Room is unique. We see Bill Clinton, Governor of Arkansas at the time, looking back into the camera, at the audience, with a baseball cap on his head, and a t-shirt covering his body. About to sit down to have his cereal for breakfast, Clinton is talking casual on the phone to a friend. Like the opening conversation, the War Room is as unique and clever as any political documentary before or after. Most of the world did not known who James Carville was until 1992 / 1993. Most know him as a fast talking, cocky, and brilliant political player. Here, we see a deeper human being with more than just an objective, but a message to America. Behind his tears, we see the truth behind the Clinton Campaign in 1991. Whether you are a fan of politics or don't have the stomach to digest politics, you will enjoy the War Room.

Details

Official Sites:

The Criterion Collection

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The War Room

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,264, 7 November 1993

Gross USA:

$901,668

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$901,668

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cyclone Films, McEttinger Films, Pennebaker Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1