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 & 14 nominations.

Cast

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

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

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

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 about a Remarkable Controversial Legal Case

The Case Against 8 was very well-received at its showing at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. This film presents a powerful human portrait of the individuals involved in fighting the legal case that led to the successful legal case that legalized same-sex marriage in CA. The film provides a detailed step-by-step examination of the case and provides considerable human insight into both the unusual legal team that fought the case and the lead plaintiffs who undertook the case. The film brings their heroic struggle to life. It also provides an excellent example of how to present a legal documentary for a non-expert audience with equal parts law and humanity.

However, like so many political documentaries the film is one- sided in its presentation. It sometimes mocks the other side's arguments so that one wonders how they were not laughed out of court. Although some of their adversary's views are presented, it does not really allow an articulate presentation of the other side's case. The film does not really give any screen time to advocates for Proposition 8. Nor does it seem to take seriously the argument that Proposition 8 was supported by a majority of the state's population in a popular vote. In this sense, the film seems to cross the foggy line between documentary film making and political advocacy film making. While I agree with the filmmakers in their opposition to Proposition 8, I don't believe they present an objective multi-dimensional picture of a complex and controversial issue. I wish they had found a way to present a fairer and more complete picture of both sides in what still remains a hotly contested issue. Despite these flaws, the film still remains a powerful portrait of some very important aspects of the complex debate over same-sex marriage.