Must See Movies

Miscellaneous General
1

The point of this is to create a list of worthwhile films / movies / TV shows & series, that relate in a major way with an issue or issues this movement stands for. So make way for the propaganda! The hope is that these can be used to subtly influence family members, friends, co-workers - as a starting point, or supplement to getting them to turn off the television and start really thinking for themselves.

Obviously not all of the below are ‘pure’, but I believe them to have more positives than negative. I also think it is important to try understand the main message / moral of the story, and how someone who has not yet been enlightened by liberty would interpret the film.

Some movies are great on issues like individualism vs collectivism, but then might fall down in other areas. So if you have seen the film recently, and don’t think that it belongs (negatives outweigh positives) definitely speak up. By all means, discuss the films… if you have seen a film, and recommend it - please give it a shout out..

Other issues to look out for below include; self responsibility over paternalism, anti-war, dystopia’s, anti-big brother, justice, against collectivism, conspiracy (self interested politicians), anti-green agenda, bureaucracy, entrepreneurship, corporatism, the mafia, revolutions, drugs, corruption, police, pre-crime, mass media, ruling elites to name a few.

What did I miss? Movies, shows, films that enlighten about the current state of affairs, as well as heed warning & inform should be added here. Also maybe provide a synopsis or blurb about it, as to why its such a classic / you are recommending it.

12 Angry Men (1957)
1984 (1984)
2081(2009)
300 (2007)

A

Antz (1998)
American History X (1998)
A Midnight Clear (1992)
A Man For All Seasons (1966)
Amazing Grace (2007)
Amistad (1997)
Akira (1988)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Animal Farm (1999)
All the King’s Men (1949)
Arlington Road (1999)
Alien (1979)
Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Army of Shadows (1969)
Appaloosa (2008)
The Americanization of Emily (1964)

B

Bananas (1971)
Batman Begins (2005)
Battle of Algiers (1967)
Birth of a Nation (1915)
Blade Runner (1982)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)
Brazil (1985)
Braveheart (1995)
Breach (2007)
Breaker Morant (1980)
Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Born on the Forth of July (1989)
Boom Town (1940)
Burnt By the Sun (1994)
Bulworth (1998)
The Brotherhood of the Bell (1970)
Bury My Heart At wounded Knee (2007)
The Balcony (1963)
The Bank Job (2008)
The Beyond (1983)

C

Caddyshack (1980)
Casualties of War (1989)
Casino (1995)
Cavalcade (1993)
Citizen Kane (1941)
City of God (2002)
Children of Men (2006)
Cinderella Man (2005)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
The Castle (1997)
The City of Ember (2008)
Captain Blood (1935)
Cinema Paradiso (1988)

D

Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Dark City (1998)
Death of a President (2006)
Duck Soup (1933)
Dr. Zhivago (1965)
Dollar’s Trilogy (1964)
Demolition Man (1993)
Defiance (2008)
Dark Knight (2008)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
The Deer Hunter (1978)

E

Election (1999)
Enemy of the State (1998)
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Escape From New York (1981)
Europa, Europa (1990)
Equilibrium (2002)
Eagle Eye (2008)

F

Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Fahrenheit 451 (1966)
Fight Club (1999)
Finding Nemo (2003)
Firefly (2002)
The Fountainhead (1949)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
First Blood (1982)

G

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Gandhi (1982)
Good Night and Good Luck (2005)
Goodfellas (1990)
Gladiator (2000)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Gallipoli (1981)
Grand Illusion (1937)
Ghost Busters (1984)
Gattaca (1997)
Gran Torino (2008)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
The Godfather Trilogy (1972)

H

Hate (1995)
Harry’s War (1981)
Harrison Bergeron (1995)
High Noon (1952)
Hot Fuzz (2007)
House of Cards (1990)

I

Its a wonderful life (1946)
Into The Wild (2007)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Idiocracy (2006)
I, Robot (2004)
Iron Man (2008)
The International (2009)
Independence Day (1996)
The Inner Circle (1991)
The Incredibles (2004)

J

Jacob’s Ladder (1980)
Jericho (2006)
JFK (1991)
John Adams (2008)
Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
Joyeux Noel (2005)

K

The King of Hearts (1966)
The Killing Fields (1984)
The Kite Runner (2007)

L

Land of the Blind (2006)
Laggan - Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
La Vallee (1972)
L’America (1994)
Lord of the Rings (2001)
Lord of War (2005)
Logan’s Run (1976)
The Leopard (1963)
Legends of the Fall (1994)
Lorenzo’s Oil (1992)
Little House on the Prairie (1974)
The Last Castle (2001)

M

Metropolis (1927)
Minority Report (2002)
Mad Max (1979)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
The Matrix Trilogy (1999)
Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Metropolitan (1990)
The Mouse that Roared (1959)
The Man in the White Suit (1951)
The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

N

No Man’s Land (2001)
Natural Born Killers (1994)
The Network (1976)

O

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Once Were Warriors (1995)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

P

Prison Break (2005)
Paths of Glory (1957)
Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The Patriot (2000)
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Porco Rosso (1992)
The Prisoner (1967)
The Path to 9/11 (2006)
The Promise (1979)
The Pentagon Wars (1998)
The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

R

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
Red Dawn (1984)
Robocop (1987)
Rendition (2007)
Runaway Jury (2003)
The Rules of the Game (1939)
The Ruling Class (1972)
Requiem For A Dream (2000)
Rollover (1981)
Reds (1981)
Road to Perdition (2002)
The Running Man (1987)
The Road Warrior (1981)

S

Scarface (1983)
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Shindlers List (1993)
Sleeper (1973)
Star Wars (1977)
Serenity (2005)
Simpsons Movie (2007)
South Park - Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)
Stalker (1979)Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Shooter (2007)
Stalingrad (1993)
Seven Days in May (1966)
Shenandoah (1965)Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)
Sunshine (2007)
Salvador (1986)
Serpico (1973)
Spy Game (2001)Skulls (2000)Sneakers (1992)
The Seven Samuri (1954)
Soylent Green (1973)
Spartacus (1960)
The Siege At Ruby Ridge (1996)
The Siege (1981)
The Searchers (1956)

T

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
Tailor of Panama (2001)
The Third Man (1949)
Tucker: A Man and His Dream (1988)
Three Kings (1999)
Total Recall (1990)
The Third Man (1949)
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Time Bandits (1981)
THX 1138 (1971)
Touch Of Evil (1958)
The Twilight Zone Series (1959)
The Truman Show (1998)
They Live (1988)
Team America: World Police (2004)
Terminator Trilogy (1984)
Tron (1982)
Tucker: A Man and His Dream (1988)
Time Bandits (1981)
Thank You For Not Smoking (2005)
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
The Quiet American (2002)

U

Underground (1995)
Unforgiven (1992)
The Usual Suspects (1995)

V

Valkyrie (2008)
V for Vendetta (2005)
V (1984)

W

Wall-E (2008)
Watership Down (1978)
Wall Street (1987)
‘War Inc.’ (2008)
WarGames (1983)
Wag the Dog (1997)
What About Bob? (1991)
War Letters: American Experience (2002)
The White Rose (1983)
The Wire (2002)
Wild River (1960)

X

X-men (2000)
X-Files (1993)
Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl (1998)

If I missed something, recommend it. If you don’t understand why something is there, investigate and ask. If you don’t think it should be there, make a case for it’s removal. These were collected by myself at RPF with the help of others. I have updated it considerably, this is the most up to date version. Reviews were gleaned from here at Mises, LewRockwell for starters. Enjoy! [:)]

Minor Website Issues
What Kind of Movies Do Austrians Watch?
2

I doubt if there is any film that portrays anarchy in positive light. The list you have is just a general list of good movies. And its far too long to discuss in detail.

For example Citizen Kane is about a man not finding satisfaction in material wealth. Not relevant to anarchy and capitalism. Same with Wall- E , the usual suspects…

It would be far better to create a list of documentaries as we will be able recommend and share stuff that is actually relevant. I suggest anything by Adam Curtis.

3

The only one I would add would be “Boondock Saints”.

4

My thoughts too. Listing the supposed theme of the movie next to it would have at least helped. But no list of recommended whatevers should be so long, people have limited time to devote to such things.

What would be nice is if the Libertarian/Anarchist movement had it’s own director, like a mix of Ken Burns and Michael Moore, but capitalists. I think John Carpenter and Kurt Russel both lean toward libertarian views, but in hearing them speak they seem to equate libertarian with social issues/policy more so than economic issues/policy. I doubt either is interested to the point of becoming associated with an ideology or movement. Still, there’s no real popularizer of free market ideas out there who can successfully point out the issues. I mean, even in Moore’s pics he goes after the government sometimes, but for some reason no matter how deeply rooted the government is in the ‘problem’ he sees, he also invariably presents government as the solution. This to me is the ultimate issue to address. Whenever I talk or argue with people it always comes down to the idea that the government could ‘work’ in ‘the right people’ were in charge or if it would just do this or that, modify this or that approach slightly. A popularizer of libertarian and anarchist views would have to somehow try and get people to make the jump from seeing that it’s a not a problem within the government, but that government is the problem. It doesn’t and more importantly can’t work as they wish it would.

5

The new Battlestar Gallactica District 9

6

Changeling (Angelina Jolie) is based on a true story of corruption in 20’s LA.

7

firstly, why alien? Granted no movie is devoid of statism but alien always seemed to me to be the story of corporate corruption par excellence.

Now for the suggestions:

Macross DYRL -a great cartoon movie about (from a libertarian perspective) a band of relatively free humans fighting a race of culture-less, socialistic giants bent on anihilating the last remnants of human creativity. At the end the power of human bourgeois music converts them to peace. (note: there is no backstory so unless you like macross the TV show or robotech, you ain’t gonna like this)

Transformers the movie -another cartoon movie which serves as the best allegory of the fight between freedom and statism that I’ve seen. Basically it’s about a giant transformer that eats planets and how the other transformers have to beat it. The main character uses a “matrix of leadership” to defeat the planet-eater.

Gods and Generals: It extols the virtues of the southern drive for independence so right of the bat it is more libertarian then most war movies.

and finally, Footloose -the classic tale of kevin bacon versus the town government and it’s anti-dancing law.

8

In general, I think romantic western and mafia movies are the best since they demonstrate an alternative order to the state. I would generally go for ones which emphasize basic decency and honour. I don’t approve of Goodfellows bc it’s too nihilistic and unrealistic. Donnie Brasco should be on the list. I don’t know why the Wire is there either. Don’t think Scarface should be there. Red Dawn links to Robocop. The recent Law Abiding Citizen is a candidate. It was good until he started killing innocent ppl. I would also add The Devil’s Own, Michael Collins, and Taken to the list. I also really liked the underline theme of the anime series, Berserk, where the main antagonist, Grffith, is the romanticized tyrant par excellance.

9

Conza88, you have way too much time on your hands.

10

I think he developed that list a while ago.

11

Clint Eastwood doesn’t shy away from calling himself a libertarian. And since you include actors, Drew Carey (Reason contributor) is another to ‘consider’. As well as Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

But hey, as an aspiring filmmaker, I’ll happily take up the challenge. [;)] I’ve actually been writing a legal thriller set in an anarcho-capitalist society (basically a 120-page response to the supposed need for a final arbiter and the prospect of endless warfare between firms).

To the OP, you have far more films than I imagined, but I think I’ve found some you missed:

There Will Be Blood. Though hailed by many as an example of the dangers of greed, we need to remember that capitalism is not synonymous with greed. Daniel Plainview’s speech to the townspeople about how their town will improve due to his drilling for oil (there will be a railroad, schools will be built, granaries set up, etc) is a great illustration of a capitalist’s self-interested actions helping society at large. And Plainview, portrayed as being so competitive as to be mentally unstable, still cares for his workers and respects other’s claim to property, even when there is a lonely hold out impeding his progress.

The Big Lebowski. The hero is a marijuana smoking pacifist that, by seeking to decrease a felt uneasiness (the rug really tied the room together), ultimately uncovers fraud. The police are portrayed as either useless or belligerent - the sheriff of Malibu calls it his beach community, and believes he has the power to decide who is and is not allowed in. He then assaults the Dude.

And since you included Firefly (good for you!), I imagine TV shows are applicable. In that case:

Deadwood. As a western, it kinda has to have libertarian sentiments. But on what other show will you see a government established in a whore house, with the self-appointed mayor saying things like, “More than providing services to 'em, taking people’s money is what makes organizations real, be they formal, informal or temporary.” It shares quite a few similarities with There Will Be Blood. Al Swearengen, like Daniel Plainview, is murderous, but still holds some respect for the property of others, as he tries to gain possession of a gold claim. The same is true for George Hearst, the real parallel to Plainview. Hearst is far worse than Plainview, though he also has a few inspiring monologues about the wonders of capitalism.

“Before the color, no white man - no man of any hue - moved to civilize or improve a place like this had reason to make the effort. The color brought commerce here, and such order as has been attained. Do you want to help Liberia, Odell?”

“I want to help myself. If Liberia is where my chance is, it’s all right with me.”

“Gold is your chance. Gold is every man’s opportunity. And why do I make that argument? Because every defect in a man and in others’ way of taking him, our agreement that gold has value gives us power to rise above. …Gold confers power. Power comes to any man who has the color.”

“Even if he’s black?”

“That is our species’ hope, Odell! That, uniformly agreeing on its value, we organize to seek the color!”

He then promises to burn down the camp, but come on! The series also illustrates Hoppe’s concept of natural elites, at least as I understand Hoppe. The principal characters organize a response to several social crises, dealing with such issues as hostile neighbors, a plague, inevitable annexation by the US, etc. They take it upon themselves for moral reasons (arguably Seth Bullock) and pure selfish, business-related reasons (Al Swearengen, Cy Tolliver, etc.).

Arrested Development. Mostly because it’s a good show. But it does portray the government as clueless and ultimately criminal, as it forces George Sr. to conduct illegal transactions and then jails him for it. It also criticizes Bush and the war in Iraq quite frequently.

I’m glad you have Wall-E in the list. I found it to be one of the most individualistic movies last year.

EDIT: And Stephen mentioned an anime, which reminds me of Full Metal Alchemist. It is set in a society in which there is a Prussian-like love of the state (more than you can imagine), while some characters bemoan the frequent wars initiated by the state. The state is ultimately seen as an institution to make war, in order to further the villain’s goal.

12

Primer. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Watch it on Google Video and don’t read the wikipedia article.

13

The best I think would be Porco Rosso. “Porco Rosso: An anarcho-capitalist pig?” - seen it, it’s pretty awesome.

As for others - V for Vendetta… and basically the movies that deplore the state, big brother etc.. indirectly put anarchy in a positive light, because they do not offer an alternative, only that the leviathan is evil.

Yeah, I am in agreement with Citizen Kane - I got the same ‘moral’ of the story when I saw it. Wall-E I have not seen, but it is about individualism from what others have said, and someone on lew rockwell blogged in favour of it.

Usual suspects have not seen either. Will look into both though.

Well I have already done that as well, last year some time. I’ll fix it up shortly.

I was leaning against that as well. Will take it out. And add the suggestions, all of which were suggested elsewhere but I didn’t add. Will update a lot at once, because the amount of links - means it needs to get admin approval. :slight_smile:

14

Well the list was 320 responses condensed into one post.

That is a good idea though. I could possibly add ‘tags’ after the links to show what issues the movie / series is associated with & why it is on the list. Not sure I have the time for that at the moment. On going project so we’ll see.

Additionally, there could be an overt / covert element. The movies like the Matrix, V for Vendetta, 1984 could be considered ‘overt’ since the message is explicit, while others are less obvious but still useful.

The goal was to first collate and then it can probably be whittled down into a “Best of” or “Top 10”.

Yeah, a year ago. I just had to copy and paste it, then add some links and new suggestions.

Got interested in it again as I used a gift-voucher to get a external hard drive. I like to collect anti-status quo, individualist dystopia books (Brave New World, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, This Perfect Day, 1984, Animal Farm etc.) and then extended that to media.

Some movies are pretty hard to get online, as well as offline and since *,000’s of Ron Paul clips from supporters were removed because of ‘copy right violations’ recently on youtube and are now lost unless that person uploads it again, I thought it might be expedient to download & collect the films that have the same message; as my government plans to censor the internet - and I’d like to store them offline.

Entertainment for Libertarians
15

I’m sorry Conza, but I have to do this in all caps, because I’m screaming it in my head. They might not fit the propaganda shtick so well, but they deserve to be on a movie list:

CASABLANCA (Play it Sam. I don’t know if I can remember-If you could play it for her you can play it for me, now play it!)

TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT (You know how to whistle don’t you Steve? You just put your lips together, and blow.)

To a lesser extent, any and all Humphrey Bogart movies (The Big Sleep is another good one), and the Dollars Trilogy.

16

Apocalypto (2006). See this review posted at LRC.

17

As has been suggested above, grouping them according to theme may be a good idea as well as producing smaller top 5 lists may be the most useful. Also of consideration when compiling these lists is to have a high regard for artistic quality as well doctrinal purity. Otherwise we’ll end up like the Christians who’ll watch anything however bad as long as it a Jesus Saves banner appears during the film; I’m a slightly more discerning Christian than that.

That being said I have a few films/programmes which are good artistically and politically-

The Trial A fantastic nightmarish adaptation of Kaftka’s novel directed by Orson Welles. It shows the inherent maliciousness, inefficiency and pointlessness of the totalitarian regime. It’s essentially an existentialist film so ranks very high on individualism and the importance of finding your own meaning; the latter I’m sympathetic too but assumes there isn’t an objective meaning for anything.

The War Games (Dr Who story from the late 60s) It shows the callousness of government in war and how sometimes how the leaders of opposing forces are really on the same side; seems like a good evaluation of modern politics.

Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (TV series) It is just the best satire of the British political system ever made: hilarious and incisive, political comedy comes no better than this. It is so accurate that if I ever taught a politics class I’d put it down as essential viewing.

Aladdin (Disney film) May seem an odd choice but is certainly a film promoting individual liberty (Jasmine’s should be able to choose her own husband) and the importance of truth. A great film for both kids and adults. It will also be a healthy bulwark against the Islamifisation of the West.

The Lives of Others German film about the the Stasi which won best foreign language film at the Oscars a couple of years back. Not necessarily anti-socialist but shows the endemic corruption of the East German state and how even the smallest of actions and persons would be monitored under that system.

Another Doctor Story which is pretty good but not good enough to be recommended is the Seeds of Doom in which the villain is all for plant liberation; an obvious satire of vegetarianism.

Finally I’d like to add my support to There Will Be Blood and to highlight the best artistically and doctrinally film/tv show on your list: The Prisoner.

If you are to only watch one thing off the list it must be this. It is obsolutely brilliant and by far teh best tv serial I have ever seen. Suitable for all the family yet is more profound than most “adult” films is unrelenting in it’s defence of personal liberty.

18

The Prisoner is amazing. People I know that saw it decades ago still refer to it often in casual conversation.

19

Yeah, that is where I remember that list from. Did you ever get unbanned from RPFs?

20

Oh, man! You can’t leave out Lionel Barrymore in :

“You Can’t Take It With You” (1938)

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0030993/plotsummary