Philosopher John Locke was born on August 29, 1632. He has been called the "Father of Classical Liberalism" and is arguably the most influential libertarian thinker in history. His ideas -- including the concept of "life, liberty, and property" -- inspired the American Revolution as well as the modern concept of "social tolerance." “Being all equal and independent, no one … [Read more...]
Citizen Jane: Battle for the City | Film Review
A journalist discovers spontaneous order in city development -- and takes on City Hall to fight its vision of a bulldozed, centrally-planned urban landscape. [ Citizen Jane: Battle for the City credits: Dir: Matt Tyrnauer/ 92 min/ Documentary/ Eminent Domain, Libertarian Heroes/ 2017] “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and … [Read more...]
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower (2017)
A Hong Kong teenager organizes protests and civil disobedience to resist mainland China’s increasing encroachment on the liberties of Hong Kong citizens. [ Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower credits: Dir: Joe Piscatella/ Joshua 'Chi-Fung' Wong/ 79 min/ Documentary/ Libertarian Heroes, Resistance to Tyranny] In 1997, when the United Kingdom transferred ownership of Hong Kong … [Read more...]
The Real Adam Smith (2016)
A documentary examination of Adam Smith's life, revolutionary ideas about economics and morality, and how his insights on those two topics are related. [ The Real Adam Smith credits: Dir: Jim Taylor/ Johan Norberg/ 123 min/ Documentary/ Econ 101, Libertarian Heroes] External Reviews "Gives those unfamiliar with Smith's thought a good introduction to his life and work in … [Read more...]
Amazing Grace (2006)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS Inspired by Christian teachings against slavery, William Wilberforce leads an arduous but ultimately victorious life-long battle to abolish the slave trade. [ Amazing Grace credits: Dir: Michael Apted/ Ioan Gruffudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney/ 111 min/ Drama, Biography/ Anti-slavery, Law & the Individual] Slavery is as old … [Read more...]
Sons of Liberty (2015)
A group of young men–Sam Adams, John Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock and Dr. Joseph Warren–secretly join together to oppose British domination, and end up sparking the American Revolution. [ Sons of Liberty credits: Dir: Kari Skogland/ Ben Barnes, Marton Csokas, Ryan Eggold/ 87 min/ Drama, History/ American Revolution, Resistance to Tyranny] For history to be kept … [Read more...]
Margaret: Death of a Revolutionary (2013)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES Margaret Thatcher rescues Britain from post-WWII socialist policies, liberating a generation from poverty and hopelessness, only to be betrayed in the end by entrenched establishment interests within her own party. [ Margaret: Death of a Revolutionary credits: Dir: Martin Durkin/ 90 min/ Documentary/ Anti-socialism, Libertarian … [Read more...]
Friedrich Hayek: Libertarian Video Shorts
The essentials of Friedrich Hayek's Road to Serfdom are outlined in this short film based on illustrations originally published in 1945 in Look magazine. The film does a good job of laying out the key steps by which freedom not only can be lost but was lost in many countries in the last century. Inasmuch as it's just the original Look magazine illustrations accompanied by … [Read more...]
Free to Choose (1980 & 1991)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES In this landmark Free to Choose series, Nobel-Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman guides the viewer through eleven documentaries on the workings of the market and its relation to human liberty. [ Free to Choose credits: Executive Producer: Bob Chitester/ Journalist: Milton Friedman/ 50 min/ Documentary/ Libertarianism 101] Just … [Read more...]
Citizenfour (2014)
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER: BEST DOCUMENTARY WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES The story of how Edward Snowden revealed for the first time bombshell proof that the U.S. government is routinely and secretly engaged in domestic spying. [ Citizenfour credits: Dir: Laura Poitras/ 114 min/ Documentary/ Fourth Amendment, Search & Seizure] If a documentary can also be a … [Read more...]