National Socialism divides family and friends as fun-loving German youth are made to conform to the Hitlerian ideal. [ Swing Kids credits: Dir: Thomas Carter/ Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley/ 114 min/ Drama/ Individualism, Anti-Socialism] “Swing Kids would be a good film pick for teenagers." “In the late 1930s, there was a new movement on the rise among … [Read more...]
Other People’s Money (1991)
Market forces, in the form of brusque Wall Street tycoon Larry the Liquidator, see to it that shareholder interests are protected despite the opposition of old-fashioned management. [ Other People's Money credits: Dir: Norman Jewison/ Danny DeVito, Gregory Peck, Penelope Ann Miller/ 101 min/ Drama, Comedy/ Pro-Capitalism, Anti-Redistribution, Creator as Hero] “Other … [Read more...]
The Inner Circle (1991)
The promotion of a naive Soviet film projectionist to Stalin’s personal entourage changes the young man’s life forever. Based on a true story. [ The Inner Circle credits: Dir: Andrei Konchalovsky/ Tom Hulce, Lolita Davidovich, Bob Hoskins/ 122 min/ Drama/ Power Worship] “This film has the ring of truth." The year is 1939. A Soviet film projectionist is suddenly taken from … [Read more...]
Brazil (1985)
A bureaucrat in a future totalitarian state becomes its enemy and ultimately—its victim. [ Brazil credits: Dir: Terry Gilliam/ Jonathan Pryce, Katherine Helmond, Robert De Niro/ 131 min/ SciFi-Fantasy, Comedy/ Anti-Socialism, Government as Torturer] “Brazil is three parts 1984 and one part Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Orwell’s 1984 clearly inspired both the story and the … [Read more...]
Harvest of Despair: The Unknown Holocaust (1984)
One of the twentieth-century's biggest and least-known genocides, in which as many as seven million Ukrainians perished at the hands of the Soviet government, is examined using interviews of survivors, photographic evidence and scholarly commentary. [ Harvest of Despair: The Unknown Holocaust credits: Dir: Slavko Nowytski, Yurij Luhovy/ 55 min/ Documentary/ Democide, … [Read more...]
Orwell’s 1984 in Three Films (1954, 1956 & 1984) | Movie Review
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS The now-classic John Hurt film version of George Orwell's 1984 is probably the definitive cinematic interpretation, but the 1956 and 1954 tellings continue to attract fans. All three films are of strong interest to libertarians for their enduring anti-totalitarian message. Review of 1984 (1984) A very effective adaptation of the George … [Read more...]
Improper Conduct (1984)
WINNER: 12TH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FESTIVAL WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES Cuban refugees detail Castro’s persecution of “undesirables” in Improper Conduct. [Dir: Nestor Almendros, Orlando Jimenez Leal/ 112 min/ Documentary-Educational, Foreign Language/ France/ In Spanish with English subtitles/ Anti-Socialism, Sexual Liberty, Social Tolerance/ A.k.a. Conducta … [Read more...]
The White Rose (1982)
A small group of young Germans organize a rebellion against the Nazis. Based on a true story. [ The White Rose credits: Dir: Michael Verhoeven/ Lena Stolze, Martin Benrath, Wulf Kessler/ 108 min/ Drama, Foreign Language/ Germany/ In German with English subtitles/ Anti-Socialism, Resistance to Tyranny/ Also listed as Die Weisse Rose] “This touching story of valor in the … [Read more...]
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1970)
A prisoner in a Soviet labor camp struggles to survive. [ One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich credits: Dir: Casper Wrede/ Tom Courtenay, Alfred Burke, Eric Thompson/ 105 min/ Drama/ Britain, Norway/ Filmed in English/ Democide, Anti-Socialism] “An important reminder to many who will no doubt soon forget what the Soviet system was all about.” Enter the world of Ivan … [Read more...]
THX 1138 (1971)
A man escapes from a future automated authoritarian world. [ THX 1138 credits: Dir: George Lucas/ Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Maggie McOmie/ 88 min/ SciFi-Fantasy, Drama/ Anti-Socialism, Government as Torturer, Government Enforced Morality, Individualism] “Sci-fi fans in particular will find THX 1138 worthwhile, if for no other reason than to see the directorial debut … [Read more...]