A part-Sioux FBI agent turns against his superiors when he discovers a deadly operation by his agency to squelch Native American resistance to government control. [Dir: Michael Apted/ Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene/ 118 min/ Thriller/ Government as Bigot, Second Amendment] It has been said before that the political and economic system imposed on Native Americans … [Read more...]
The Palermo Connection (1990)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS A New York City politician who campaigns on a platform of drug decriminalization encounters deadly opposition from the Mafia. [Dir: Francesco Rosi/ James Belushi, Mimi Rogers, Joss Ackland/100 min/ Thriller/ France, Italy/ Filmed in English/ Legalize Drugs] “Do you believe drugs are bad? —Yes. Do you want your children to take drugs? … [Read more...]
Pacific Heights (1990)
A young couple’s dream of owning a rental property becomes a nightmare, as a dangerous con artist takes full advantage of the California rental code at their expense. [Dir: John Schlesinger/ Melanie Griffith, Matthew Modine, Michael Keaton/ 103 min/ Thriller/ Anti-Regulation] “He’s taken possession [of the apartment]. So whether he signed a lease, or whether he paid you … [Read more...]
White Nights (1985)
A plane crash in Siberia lands a Soviet defector in the hands of the KGB. Only with the help of an American defector will he escape. [Dir: Taylor Hackford/ Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Isabella Rossellini, Helen Mirren, Geraldine Page/ 135 min/ Thriller, Musical-Dance/ Escape from Socialism, Anti-War] When this film was released in 1985, before the demise of the … [Read more...]
Berlin Tunnel 21 (1981)
An American soldier and a German engineer team up to build a secret tunnel under the Berlin Wall to help those trapped behind the wall escape to freedom. [Dir: Richard Michaels/ Richard Thomas, Horst Buchholz, José Ferrer/ 141 min/ Thriller, Drama/ Escape from socialism] How to See Berlin Tunnel 21 Amazon (DVD) Amazon (DVD) Amazon (Instant Video) YouTube Video … [Read more...]
All the President’s Men (1976)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE A pair of young Washington Post reporters uncover the Watergate scandal. Based on a true story. [Dir: Alan J. Pakula/ Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Robards/ 139 min/ Thriller/ Free Press as Hero, Corrupt Government] This film depicts events leading up to the Watergate investigation, as chronicled by real-life reporters … [Read more...]
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
A clever translator working for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency inadvertently uncovers an unauthorized plot by his agency to invade the Middle East. [Dir: Sydney Pollack/ Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson/ 118 min/ Thriller/ Working for Government, Corrupt Government] Although this film only dramatizes one of the more modest dangers of maintaining a … [Read more...]
Victim (1961)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS When a young gay man in 1960s Britain commits suicide rather than face an inquiry regarding (then illegal) homosexual activity, a closeted bisexual barrister avenges his death and fights the law responsible for it. [Dir: Basil Dearden/ Dirk Bogarde, Sylvia Syms, Dennis Price / 100 min/ Drama, Thriller/ Britain/ Government as Bigot, Sexual … [Read more...]
Keeper of the Flame (1942)
A reporter writing the biography of a dead national hero gets a lesson in the nature of political power. Credits for Keeper of the Flame: [Dir: George Cukor/ Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Whorf/ 100 min/ Drama/ Power Corrupts, Power Worship] During World War II, when this film was released, patriotic fervor encouraged an unquestioning and even reverential … [Read more...]
Night Train to Munich (1940)
A British agent risks all to save a brilliant scientist and his daughter, who have been captured by the Nazis. Credits for Night Train to Munich: [Dir: Carol Reed/ Rex Harrison, Margaret Lockwood, Paul Von Henreid, Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne/ 94 min/ Comedy, Thriller/ Britain/ Escape from Socialism] There’s no great philosophical statement here, but libertarians will … [Read more...]