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Bowling for Columbine

  • 20022002
  • RR
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
146K
YOUR RATING
Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
Home Video Trailer from MGM Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:07
1 Video
46 Photos
DocumentaryCrimeDrama
Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
146K
YOUR RATING
    • Michael Moore
    • Michael Moore
  • Stars
    • Michael Moore
    • Charlton Heston
    • Marilyn Manson
    • Michael Moore
    • Michael Moore
  • Stars
    • Michael Moore
    • Charlton Heston
    • Marilyn Manson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 897User reviews
    • 208Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Videos1

    Bowling for Columbine
    Trailer 2:07
    Watch Bowling for Columbine

    Photos46

    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Matt Stone and Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)
    Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Moore
    Michael Moore
    • Self - Narrator
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • Self
    Marilyn Manson
    Marilyn Manson
    • Self
    Salvador Allende
    Salvador Allende
    • Self - President of Chile
    • (archive footage)
    Mike Bradley
    • Self - Mayor of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
    Arthur A. Busch
    • Self - County Prosecutor: Flint, Michigan
    • (as Arthur Busch)
    George Bush
    George Bush
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    George W. Bush
    George W. Bush
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Michael Caldwell
    • Self - Police Detective
    Richard Castaldo
    Richard Castaldo
    • Self - Columbine Victim
    Dick Clark
    Dick Clark
    • Self
    Bill Clinton
    Bill Clinton
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Steve Davis
    • Self - Deputy Sheriff
    • (archive footage)
    Ngo Dinh Diem
    Ngo Dinh Diem
    • Self - President of South Vietnam
    • (archive footage)
    Mike Epstein
    • Self - Shopper in Mall
    Joe Farmer
    • Self - Superintendent of Schools
    • (archive footage)
    Denny Fennell
    • Self - Home Security Consultant
    Barry Glassner
    • Self - Author of 'The Culture of Fear'
    • (as Prof. Barry Glassner)
      • Michael Moore
      • Michael Moore
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Because the film didn't fit neatly into any established categories at Cannes, the Jury created a special 55th Anniversary Award just for the film.
    • Goofs
      As Charlton Heston walks away from Michael Moore in the final interview, the scene cuts repeatedly between Heston (point of view from behind Moore) and Moore (point of view from the stairs directly in front of Moore) holding a photo of the slain Flint, Michigan girl and asking Heston to look at it. When the POV is of Moore holding the photo, there is clearly no cameraman anywhere behind him. The same with the POV of Heston, there is clearly no cameraman anywhere in front of Moore. So the two POVs were not filmed simultaneously as the film implies.
    • Quotes

      Michael Moore: If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in that community, what would you say to them if they were here right now?

      Marilyn Manson: I wouldn't say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did.

    • Crazy credits
      In the credits, there is a thank you to Mike's Militia - Athens Branch. This does not exist - Michael Moore, during his speaking engagement at Ohio University, to promote his book, "Stupid White Men," screened two versions of the "History of gun control" animated segment, which featured the same animation but different narration. The audience was asked to vote on which of the two versions should be included. After choosing a version, Moore claimed he would include Athens, Ohio and the audience in the credits, but wasn't sure what name to give credit to. Several suggestions were shouted out and Mike Michigan Militia, Athens, OH branch was finally chosen.
    • Alternate versions
      In the theatrical release, a caption was inserted into a 1988 Bush-Quayle ad, "Revolving Doors," which read "Willie Horton released. Then kills again." In the DVD release, the caption reads "Willie Horton released. Then rapes a woman." Neither version makes it clear that the text was not part of the original ad.
    • Connections
      Edited from The Awful Truth (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Take the Skinheads Bowling
      (1985)

      Written by Victor Krummenacher, David Lowery, Christopher Molla, and

      Jonathan Segel

      Performed by Teenage Fanclub

    User reviews897

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    I can spare the strike
    Not being a fan of Michael Moore politically or in general, I felt I needed to watch this film for two reasons. One, I currently am a High School student and have been interested in the subject of Columbine for a few years, and two because the second amendment is something I believe in. I wondered how a documentary like this could be made, and what kind of source information would be used to back it up. In other words, I had a million questions, and two hours worth of answers.

    This is the first Moore film I watched from start to finish. I turned off Capitalism: A Love Story because I didn't believe in it, and I couldn't comprehend everything being thrown on the screen. I've been saving Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko for when I'm older so I could give a mature review of those films, respectively. I shy away from a lot of political documentaries because I fear one slip of the tongue or keyboard will result in a gigantic uproar. I hate politics, I know very little about them, and I don't believe I should lose fans or a friendship for which side of the ballot I support.

    Bowling for Columbine explores America's unhealthy obsession with firearms. He questions why America had over 11,000 gun murders in the year 2002, and Canada had such a mere comparison to that. Canada gets all the same television, video games, and weaponry we do. Why is their gun death toll so low compared to ours? It's not only shocking, but scary as well. That was 2002. I couldn't imagine what shocking number it's at now.

    I'm a heavy American supporter, but this is the kind of thing that taints our reputation and is another red flag other countries use to bash us. This needs to stop. What are we doing wrong? Is it because the USA's first instinct when something is wrong is to fight back, and not simply talk it over? The documentary is humorous in places, but you question if what you're laughing at is right. BOC has quite a few bad laughs, but a number of serious points to put the movie back on track. My favorite scene is the animated American history lesson shown about half way through the film. That was well done. Funny, yes. True, shockingly.

    My favorite scene in the film was when Moore takes Columbine shooting victims Mark Taylor and Richard Castaldo to the K-Mart headquarters in Troy, Michigan to demand a refund for the seventeen cent bullets still lodged in both the boy's bodies. I won't ruin anything about the scene, but it's definitely what sealed the deal to me saying "this is a good Michael Moore film." Bowling for Columbine is factual, and interesting as far as documentaries go. It's difficult to review them because you can't really critique the acting or production values, and it seems like you're just rehashing events in the film and stating which ones you liked. No documentary I've reviewed like Going to Pieces and Google Me I've felt I've done proper justice to. But I can't recall the last time I extremely hated a documentary.

    Starring: Michael Moore. Directed by: Michael Moore.
    helpful•3
    0
    • StevePulaski
    • Feb 20, 2011

    FAQ1

    • What are the clips shown during "Happiness Is a Warm Gun?"

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 15, 2002 (United States)
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Germany
      • Michael Moore Official Website
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Windsor, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • United Artists
      • Alliance Atlantis Communications
      • Salter Street Films International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours
      • Color
      • Black and White
      • Dolby Digital

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