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IMDbPro

Wag the Dog

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
84K
YOUR RATING
Wag the Dog (1997)
Trailer
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
96 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
Shortly before an election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to fabricate a war in order to cover up a Presidential sex scandal.Shortly before an election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to fabricate a war in order to cover up a Presidential sex scandal.Shortly before an election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to fabricate a war in order to cover up a Presidential sex scandal.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
84K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Barry Levinson
  • Writers
    • Larry Beinhart(book "American Hero")
    • Hilary Henkin(screenplay)
    • David Mamet(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Robert De Niro
    • Anne Heche
Top credits
  • Director
    • Barry Levinson
  • Writers
    • Larry Beinhart(book "American Hero")
    • Hilary Henkin(screenplay)
    • David Mamet(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Robert De Niro
    • Anne Heche
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 247User reviews
    • 117Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 23 nominations total

    Videos1

    Wag The Dog
    Trailer 0:31
    Wag The Dog

    Photos96

    Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, and Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro and Anne Heche in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Dustin Hoffman, and David Koechner in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, and Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, and Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Robert De Niro and Anne Heche in Wag the Dog (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Levinson in Wag the Dog (1997)
    David Mamet and Barry Levinson in Wag the Dog (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • Stanley Motssas Stanley Motss
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Conrad Breanas Conrad Brean
    Anne Heche
    Anne Heche
    • Winifred Amesas Winifred Ames
    Woody Harrelson
    Woody Harrelson
    • Sgt. William Schumannas Sgt. William Schumann
    Denis Leary
    Denis Leary
    • Fad Kingas Fad King
    Willie Nelson
    Willie Nelson
    • Johnny Deanas Johnny Dean
    Andrea Martin
    Andrea Martin
    • Liz Butskyas Liz Butsky
    Michael Belson
    • Presidentas President
    Suzanne Cryer
    Suzanne Cryer
    • Amy Cainas Amy Cain
    John Michael Higgins
    John Michael Higgins
    • John Levyas John Levy
    Suzie Plakson
    Suzie Plakson
    • Graceas Grace
    Kirsten Dunst
    Kirsten Dunst
    • Tracy Limeas Tracy Lime
    Jason Cottle
    Jason Cottle
    • A.D.as A.D.
    David Koechner
    David Koechner
    • Directoras Director
    Harland Williams
    Harland Williams
    • Pet Wrangleras Pet Wrangler
    Sean Masterson
    Sean Masterson
    • Bob Richardsonas Bob Richardson
    William H. Macy
    William H. Macy
    • Mr. Youngas Mr. Young
    Bernard Hocke
    Bernard Hocke
    • Technicianas Technician
    • Director
      • Barry Levinson
    • Writers
      • Larry Beinhart(book "American Hero")
      • Hilary Henkin(screenplay)
      • David Mamet(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      "Why change horses midstream?" was originally a campaign slogan for Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
    • Goofs
      When the coffin is unloaded from the aircraft, the flag is positioned properly, with the blue field over deceased's left shoulder. At the memorial service, the blue is over the deceased's right shoulder.
    • Quotes

      [Repeated line]

      Stanley Motss: This is NOTHING.

    • Crazy credits
      "Special Thanks to The Cast and Crew for Completing Principal Photography in 29 Days!"
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Wag the Dog/Home Alone 3/For Richer or Poorer/Deconstructing Harry/Scream 2 (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Thank Heaven for Little Girls
      Written by Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe

      Performed by Maurice Chevalier

      Heard sarcatically during TV spot accusing the President of sexually exploiting an underage girl

    User reviews247

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    The Best Political Satire Since Dr. Strangelove
    Rarely can film satire make you laugh and be worried about the future at the same time. Levinson's film does just that, with a great cast and great writing, this film succeeds.

    You may have noticed that many of the posts and reviews argue that this is not plausible. Obviously these posters do not realize that satire is supposed to be over the top and show what can happen in extremes, and ironically, this came out just after Clinton's sex scandal, and is still relevant today with George W. and will continue to be regardless of the president. Also, some may think it oversimplifies the public as idiots, but this isn't true, especially if they are being deceived and information is withheld. There are some implausibilities, as in why no reporters went to Albania or how other countries didn't get involved other than denying the charges, but these are small and even addressed in scenes with the rival candidates, news reporters and even CIA head William H. Macy.

    Really I don't know how anyone can not like this film since it is smart, funny and scary all at once with fine performances and direction all around. This is an American political satire classic that is sadly becoming less satire as time goes on.

    OVERALL: 9/10. Buy or at least rent before the satire becomes reality.
    helpful•145
    11
    • camachoborracho
    • Nov 25, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 9, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Barry Levinson
      • Warner Bros.
    • Languages
      • English
      • Albanian
    • Also known as
      • Bite the Bullet
    • Filming locations
      • Main Drain Rd., Buttonwillow, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Baltimore Pictures
      • New Line Cinema
      • Punch Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $43,061,945
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $92,079
      • Dec 28, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $64,256,513
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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