IMDb >
Wag the Dog (1997)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at
blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
blockbuster.com
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsWag the Dog (1997) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 42 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
9 January 1998 (USA) moreTagline:
A Hollywood producer. A Washington spin-doctor. When they get together, they can make you believe anything. morePlot:
Before elections, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to "fabricate" a war in order to cover-up a presidential sex scandal. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(29 articles)
Al Pacino signs up for HBO film about Dr Jack Kevorkian (From The Cinema Post. 28 May 2009, 5:08 AM, PDT)
Barry Levinson
(From The AV Club. 16 October 2008, 10:31 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
The Best Political Satire Since Dr. Strangelove moreUS TV Schedule:
| Thur. July 9 | 8:00 AM | FX |
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Dustin Hoffman | ... | Stanley Motss | |
| Robert De Niro | ... | Conrad Brean | |
| Anne Heche | ... | Winifred Ames | |
| Denis Leary | ... | Fad King | |
| Willie Nelson | ... | Johnny Dean | |
| Andrea Martin | ... | Liz Butsky | |
| Kirsten Dunst | ... | Tracy Lime | |
| William H. Macy | ... | CIA Agent Charles Young | |
| John Michael Higgins | ... | John Levy | |
| Suzie Plakson | ... | Grace | |
| Woody Harrelson | ... | Sergeant William Schumann | |
| Michael Belson | ... | President | |
| Suzanne Cryer | ... | Amy Cain | |
| Jason Cottle | ... | A.D. | |
| David Koechner | ... | Director |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
97 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreCertification:
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Ontario) | Denmark:11 | Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Belgium:KT | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 | Norway:7 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:M | Brazil:18Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The talk show phone number, (800) 555-0199, is common to many films and television shows because this is the only number that has been reserved by the phone company as an allowable "fake" 800 number for media usage. moreGoofs:
Miscellaneous: At the end of the film, when the Secret Service escorts Stanley to his car, one of the men repeatedly tries to open the car door, but it has been accidentally locked. moreQuotes:
Winifred Ames: So when we touch down tomorrow, Big Bird is going to meet Schumann at the airport, huh?Stanley Motss: Big mistake, big mistake. You gotta bring them in by stages. Big mistake to reveal Schumann before the election.
Winifred Ames: How so?
Stanley Motss: Sweetheart, Schumann is the shark. Okay? Schumann is Jaws, you know? You have to tease them. You gotta tease them. You don't put Jaws in the first real of the movie. It's the contract, sweetheart. The contract of the election, whether they know it or not, is "Vote for me Tuesday, Wednesday I'll produce Schumann." See, that's what they're paying their seven bucks for.
more
Soundtrack:
I LIKE THE NIGHTLIFE moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Wag the Dog (1997) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Man of the Year | Thank You for Smoking | Buffalo Soldiers | Catch-22 | Face Eater |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |













Rarely can film satire make you laugh and be worried about the future at the same time. Levinson's film does just that, with a great cast and great writing, this film succeeds.
You may have noticed that many of the posts and reviews argue that this is not plausible. Obviously these posters do not realize that satire is supposed to be over the top and show what can happen in extremes, and ironically, this came out just after Clinton's sex scandal, and is still relevant today with George W. and will continue to be regardless of the president. Also, some may think it oversimplifies the public as idiots, but this isn't true, especially if they are being deceived and information is withheld. There are some implausibilities, as in why no reporters went to Albania or how other countries didn't get involved other than denying the charges, but these are small and even addressed in scenes with the rival candidates, news reporters and even CIA head William H. Macy.
Really I don't know how anyone can not like this film since it is smart, funny and scary all at once with fine performances and direction all around. This is an American political satire classic that is sadly becoming less satire as time goes on.
OVERALL: 9/10. Buy or at least rent before the satire becomes reality.