The Case Against 8 (2014)

A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Directors:

Ben Cotner, Ryan White

Writers:

Ben Cotner (story), Ryan White (story)

Stars:

Ted Olson, Christopher D. Dusseault, Jeffrey J. Zarrillo

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 11 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Olson	...	Self
Christopher D. Dusseault	...	Self (as Chris Dusseault)
Jeffrey J. Zarrillo	...	Self (as Jeff Zarrillo)
Paul T. Katami	...	Self (as Paul Katami)
Kristin M. Perry	...	Self (as Kris Perry)
Sandra B. Stier	...	Self (as Sandy Stier)
David Boies	...	Self
Ted Uno	...	Self
Chad Griffin	...	Self - American Foundation for Equal Rights
Kristina Schake	...	Self - American Foundation for Equal Rights
Adam Umhoefer	...	Self - executive director, American Foundation for Equal Rights
Elliott Perry	...	Self (as Elliot Perry)
Frank Stier	...	Self
Tom Stier	...	Self
Spencer Perry	...	Self

Storyline

After the California Supreme Court ruled in May 2008 that same-sex couples could marry, a proposition was put to voters to amend the state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. After that proposition was passed a group decided to challenge the constitutionality of the amendment. This documentary follows the efforts of the plaintiffs and lawyers over four years as the case winds its way through the courts.

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Plot Keywords:

california | supreme court | lawyer | same sex couple | proposition 8 | 

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Taglines:

Battles are won because they are fought.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | News

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ted Olsen's first wife, Barbara Olsen, was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77 en route to a taping of Bill Maher's television show "Politically Incorrect" when it was flown into the Pentagon in the September 11th attacks.

User Reviews

A Powerful Human Story...

Let's leave it at that. Allowing us to witness the personal struggle of these four Americans to gain basic Constitutional protection, and the efforts of so many to help them and to bring about the final outcome of this case as presented in the film is truly moving. As per the title, it wasn't supposed to be anything other than presenting the case AGAINST Proposition 8. If some are left wondering where the arguments were for the proponents of the proposition, the film detailed how the witnesses for the proposition, one by one, fell away leaving only one witness, who in the course of cross-examining came to realize that he actually was siding with the plaintiffs. The Supreme Court reached the verdict that there wasn't any any compelling argument, that there was no standing to appeal against the Supreme Court's ruling, because their rights were not harmed by striking down the proposition. As was referenced in other reviews, people seem to miss the point of the case (and the film): the populace and local legislatures may not pass local laws that violate the US Constitution. There was no other side because there was no other side, other an animus, and hate is not an American value.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 2014 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Untitled Prop 8 Documentary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Moore's Filmed Goods and Services, Tripod Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1