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Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

  • 20082008
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
773
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (2008)
Trailer for this political documentary
Play trailer2:25
1 Video
2 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Biography

The Murrow, Polk, and IDA Award-winning documentary Boogie Man is about Lee Atwater, a blues-playing rogue whose rise from the South to Chairman of the GOP made him a political rock star. He... Read allThe Murrow, Polk, and IDA Award-winning documentary Boogie Man is about Lee Atwater, a blues-playing rogue whose rise from the South to Chairman of the GOP made him a political rock star. He mentored George W. Bush and Karl Rove while leading the Republican party to historic vict... Read allThe Murrow, Polk, and IDA Award-winning documentary Boogie Man is about Lee Atwater, a blues-playing rogue whose rise from the South to Chairman of the GOP made him a political rock star. He mentored George W. Bush and Karl Rove while leading the Republican party to historic victories, helping make liberal a dirty word, and transforming the way America elects our Pres... Read all

IMDb RATING
7.6/10
773
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Stefan Forbes
  • Writer
    • Stefan Forbes(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Lee Atwater(archive footage)
    • Tucker Eskew
    • Joe Sligh
Top credits
  • Director
    • Stefan Forbes
  • Writer
    • Stefan Forbes(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Lee Atwater(archive footage)
    • Tucker Eskew
    • Joe Sligh
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story
    Trailer 2:25
    Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

    Photos

    Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (2008)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lee Atwater
    Lee Atwater
    • Self - RNC Chairmanas Self - RNC Chairman
    • (archive footage)
    Tucker Eskew
    • Self - Atwater Aide & McCain Advisoras Self - Atwater Aide & McCain Advisor
    Joe Sligh
    • Self - Friend & Bandmateas Self - Friend & Bandmate
    Eric Alterman
    • Self - Journalist & Professoras Self - Journalist & Professor
    Jim McCabe
    • Self - Lifelong Friendas Self - Lifelong Friend
    Stephen Raper
    • Self - President, Regent Republicansas Self - President, Regent Republicans
    Christopher Stark
    • Self - Chairman, NJ College Republicansas Self - Chairman, NJ College Republicans
    Joe Conason
    • Self - Journalist, Salon.comas Self - Journalist, Salon.com
    Roger Stone
    Roger Stone
    • Self - Atwater Friend & Republican Operativeas Self - Atwater Friend & Republican Operative
    Howard Fineman
    • Self - Senuir Editor, Newsweekas Self - Senuir Editor, Newsweek
    Henry Eichel
    • Self - Writer, Charlotte Observeras Self - Writer, Charlotte Observer
    Chuck Jackson
    • Self - R&B Artist & Atwater Friendas Self - R&B Artist & Atwater Friend
    Tom Turnipseed
    • Self - Former State Senator, South Carolinaas Self - Former State Senator, South Carolina
    Ishmael Reed
    • Self - Writer & Media Criticas Self - Writer & Media Critic
    Lee Bandy
    Lee Bandy
    • Self - Political Writer, The Stateas Self - Political Writer, The State
    Jack Bass
    • Self - Author & Journalist Professoras Self - Author & Journalist Professor
    Sam Donaldson
    Sam Donaldson
    • Self - White House Correspondentas Self - White House Correspondent
    Ed Rollins
    Ed Rollins
    • Self - Campaign Manager, Reagan '84as Self - Campaign Manager, Reagan '84
    • Director
      • Stefan Forbes
    • Writer
      • Stefan Forbes(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The Murrow, Polk, and IDA Award-winning documentary Boogie Man is about Lee Atwater, a blues-playing rogue whose rise from the South to Chairman of the GOP made him a political rock star. He mentored George W. Bush and Karl Rove while leading the Republican party to historic victories, helping make liberal a dirty word, and transforming the way America elects our Presidents. In interviews with Republicans and friends of Atwater, Boogie Man examines his role in America's shift to the right. To Democrats offended by the 1988 Willie Horton controversy, Atwater was a remorseless political assassin dubbed by one Congresswoman "the most evil man in America." The film examines his irreverent sense of humor, his understanding of the American heartland, and his unapologetic vision of politics as war. It ends with a portrait of a cynic's deathbed search for meaning. —Anonymous
    • republican
    • president
    • interview
    • republican party
    • politics
    • 23 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • "He taught the Democrats to sing the blues." - George H.W. Bush.
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Biography
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Boogie Man screenings were introduced by former DNC chair Terry MacAuliffe at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and by legendary GOP operative Roger Stone at the Republican National Convention.
    • Connections
      Edited into Frontline: Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Death Bells
      by Lightnin Hopkins

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    The Life, Death and Power of Political Genius/Devil Lee Atwater
    Terry McCauliff introduced this mind blowing film at the Democratic Convention. The Starz sponsored "Impact Film Festival 08" showed Boogie Man at both political conventions. That says everything about the conflicting legacy of Lee Atwater, presented with heart and humor in Boogie Man.

    The filmmaker Stefan Forbes is brilliant in his storytelling. Where did he find those old clips of Atwater, in a creepy, sweaty trance.....performing funky blues on his electric guitar. Atwater's raw passion and his demons were in the room when he wailed into the mic. Bill Clinton playing saxophone looks darned angelic in comparison.

    Forbes' bluesy, gritty music track is so intertwined throughout that is seems to ooze out of Lee Atwater's crazy pores.

    When you see this film, you'll know what the Democrats need to do to get Barack and a new Congress elected in November. And beyond. I promise!
    helpful•7
    6
    • corinnecalesso
    • Sep 22, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 26, 2008 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Boogie Man
    • Production company
      • InterPositive Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $60,332
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,939
      • Sep 28, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $60,332
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1
      • 1.78 : 1

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