Long before Theodor Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, wrote childrens' stories, he was a political cartoonist. His early cartoons mocking fascism helped launch his career. Yertle the Turtle, with its "power corrupts" theme is said to have been inspired by Hitler, and the character was originally drawn with a Hitler-style mustache. Although the animation in this telling is just … [Read more...]
Wild Palms (1993)
In the near future a wealthy senator combines politics, religion, and virtual reality to create a dangerous authoritarian cult hell-bent on world domination—opposed only by “libertarians.” [ Wild Palms credits: Dir: Peter Hewitt, Keith Gordon, Phil Joanou, Kathryn Bigelow/ James Belushi, Dana Delany, Robert Loggia, Kim Cattrall, Angie Dickinson/ 278 min/ SciFi-Fantasy, Drama/ … [Read more...]
Herod’s Law (1999)
An innocent janitor appointed mayor of a small Mexican town gradually succumbs to the temptations of power and is transformed into a small-time despot. Also listed as La ley de Herodes. [ Herod's Law credits: Dir: Luis Estrada/ 120 min/ Comedy/ Corrupt government, Power corrupts/ Mexico] External Reviews "The title of Herod's Law refers to a governing principle of … [Read more...]
Das Experiment (2001)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS A psychological experiment in which test subjects are divided into "prisoners" and "guards" spins out of control when the "guards" take their authority a little too seriously. [ Das Experiment credits: Dir: Oliver Hirschbiegel / Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Berkel, Justus von Dohnanyi / 120min/ Drama, Thriller, Foreign Language/ In German with … [Read more...]
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER: BEST PICTURE (2003) ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE (2001, 2002) A small band of heroes embark on a journey to destroy an all-powerful ring before its evil conjurer can use it to enslave the world. [ Lord of the Rings credits: Dir: Peter Jackson/ Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen/ 178min/ Fantasy/ Power Corrupts] Tolkien's Lord of the … [Read more...]
Animal Farm (1999)
An adaptation of the George Orwell novel, in which farm animals overthrow their owner and adopt socialism — with predictable results. [ Animal Farm credits: Dir: John Stephenson/ (voices of) Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Julia Ormond/ 91 min/ Drama/ Anti-Socialism, Power Corrupts] For the most part, the story line here follows that of Orwell’s book. In particular, … [Read more...]
Roots of Evil (1997)
A three-part documentary series on the subject of human inclination to do “evil.” [ Roots of Evil credits: Dir: Rex Bloomstein/ 135 min/ Documentary-Educational/ Britain/ Democide, Government as Torturer, Power Corrupts, Working for Government] No trailer available. Evil is defined in this series to be any act of deliberate harm to another human. Since, in the modern age, … [Read more...]
Animal Farm (1954)
An animated adaptation of the George Orwell novel, in which farm animals overthrow their owner and adopt socialism — with predictable results. [ Animal Farm credits: Dir: John Halas, Joy Batchelor/ 72 min/ Animated, Drama/ Britain/ Anti-Socialism, Power Corrupts] Note: the full film can typically be found online via YouTube or Google search. George Orwell, like most … [Read more...]
All the King’s Men (1949)
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER: BEST PICTURE A political reformer, hungry for power to do “good,” becomes thoroughly corrupt on his way to the top. [ All the King's Men credits: Dir: Robert Rossen/Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge/ 109 min/ Drama/ Power Corrupts, Corrupt Government] See if the plot of this film sounds familiar: A young lawyer named Willie is … [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. [ Keeper of the Flame credits: Dir: George Cukor/ Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Whorf/ 100 min/ Drama/ Power Corrupts, Power Worship] During World War II, when Keeper of the Flame was initially released, patriotic fervor encouraged an unquestioning and … [Read more...]