The Big One (1997)

On his book tour, Michael Moore exposes more wrongdoing by greedy big businesses and callous politicians around America.

Director:

Michael Moore

Writer:

Michael Moore

Stars:

Michael Moore, Elaine Bly, Dan Burns

6 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Moore	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elaine Bly	...	Herself - Random House Media Escort
Dan Burns	...	Himself - Radio Personality
Chip Carter	...	Himself - Forbes Campaign
Bill Clinton	...	Himself - Presidential Candidate (archive footage)
Jim Czarnecki	...	Himself (as Jim)
Brian Danitz	...	Himself (as Brian)
Robert Dornan	...	Himself - Congressman (archive footage)
Joel Feick	...	Himself - Radio Commentator
Steve Forbes	...	Himself - Presidential Candidate (archive footage)
Doug France	...	Himself - Random House Representative
Mary Gielow	...	Herself - Media Escort in Milwaukee
Bev Jacowski	...	Herself, Johnson Controls representative
Richard Jewell	...	Himself - Innocent Guy
Kevin Keane	...	Himself - Governor Thompson's Press Secretary

Storyline

Our intrepid defender of the working man, Michael Moore, documents his 1996 "Downsize This!" book tour across the USA. Shot on-the-cheap with a video camera, we once again watch our hero interview the working man at yet another plant closing, while also trying to get past corporate security guards to interview the millionaire CEOs.

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Plot Keywords:

three word title | social activism | unemployment | stock exchange | radio broadcasting | 

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Taglines:

I WANT YOU to help me kick corporate America's &*%!

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Dog Eat Dog Films Michael Moore Official Website

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cortando Custos

Filming Locations:

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$146,909, 12 April 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$720,074

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayfair Entertainment International, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Dog Eat Dog Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The documentary was made in 1996 but released two years later in 1998 (although it was shown at the Berlin & Toronto film festivals in 1997).

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Quotes

Michael Moore: [referring to McDonald's] They put vegetables on my fish filet. Fuckers.

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Crazy Credits

Closing statement: Half of the proceeds from this film will go to help the people of Flint, Michigan, where 68% of the children still live below poverty level.

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Connections

Featured in The Corporation (2003)

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Soundtracks

Mud Flap Boogie
(1990)
Performed by The World Famous Blue Jays
Written by Jay Sherman-Godfrey (as J. Sherman-Godfrey), and Jeremy Tepper (as J. Tepper)
Courtesy of Diesel Only Records
By kind permission of Kalamakeepsie Music/Rig Rock Songs, BMI administered by Bug

User Reviews

The Downsize This! Book Tour Film

The Big One is a well rounded accomplishment for Michael Moore. This film is almost like watching an autobiographical documentary. The movie highlights the notable events surrounding Michael Moore's book tour for Downsize This!. The feel of a rushed and improvised tour schedule sets the pace for scenes of public speeches, crew activity, and corporate inquisition. The film shows that Michael Moore reveals his humanitarian instincts in even the most hectic of environments. The direction of developing plot is specific to each of the cities that Moore goes to on his tour. The story that surrounds Nike, Inc. is absolutely worth watching. Corporate business is analyzed throughout this film and Michael Moore makes it a point to have the audience think about what they are watching. Highly recommended for fans of Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko and admirers of Michael Moore.