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

The Triumph of Libertarian views of liberty

This one of the better films on civil liberties. We were all fortunate enough for important court case to occur before a majority of Californians changed their views.

Why do I say that? Because marriage equality just like any other civil liberty or right should never have been decided on popular views. These rights ough to be regarded as absolute with no amount of local interference acceptable no matter how the wind blows. Rather than this bounce around on popular opinion, we were able to have a ruling based on the Constitution.

I am glad the film features, and in fact centers on Ted Olson, who unlike so may arguing from point of view and interest, argued for constitutional consistency (just as he had done with the Florida recount and ending clearly unconistutional local gun bans). Some of the commenters and professing reviewers express surprise at "irony" of Olson's and Gibson Dunn's positon. The irony is only a perceived one of reviewers who don't understand the libertarian leaning position.

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