- Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Denis Leary, Willie Nelson
- Directors: Barry Levinson
- Writers: David Mamet, Hilary Henkin, Larry Beinhart
- Producers: Barry Levinson, Claire Rudnick Polstein, Eric McLeod, Ezra Swerdlow
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Eiv
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 97 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CXBR
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 6,057 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wag the Dog (1997) is a rarity: an intelligent, sophisticated and very funny film about American politics. Just before an election the President--in an uncanny anticipation of real life--gets sexually involved with a young woman, leaving spin-doctor Robert De Niro to think of something quick. He enlists Hollywood producer Dustin Hoffman to help him concoct a war against Albania to take the public's mind off the President's peccadilloes. Both stars are in top form, with Hoffman particularly funny as the larger than life producer. Scripted by David Mamet (House of Games, Glengarry Glen Ross) and directed by Barry Levinson, (whose previous comedies include Good Morning, Vietnam with Robin Williams and Tin Men with Danny De Vito) Wag the Dog manages to make you laugh even while you're thinking about how true the insights are, and how politics is getting more like the media every day.
On the DVD: The so-called platinum DVD is packed with features. There is a series of production shots, assembled in no particular order, some showing the director watching filming on his monitor. There are interview clips with Hoffman, De Niro, Anne Heche, William H Macy and Barry Levinson talking about the film, plus scrolled filmographies. There's an audio commentary on the whole film by Levinson and Hoffman, occasionally rambling but with some interesting insights. In another feature, Macy talks at some length about David Mamet. There are extensive scroll-down production notes giving useful information (such as the film's budget), and finally a 50-minute documentary in which producer Jane Rosenthal talks about the relationship between the film and real-life politics. Her comments are supplemented by such luminaries as writer Budd Schulberg, director John Frankenheimer, newscaster Tom Brokaw and Dee Dee Myers, former White House press secretary. The Dolby Digital soundtrack is good quality, as is the image in 16:9 ratio. --Ed Buscombe
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What the last two reviews have failed to grasp is that in terms of American political comedy this is almost alone!
In places you could say that this film is slightly far-fetched, but wait... no, you can't! The spin that we see come out of this country let alone the number one country for media-savvy!
The amazing thing about this film is the premonition that DeNiro's character makes at one point whilst riding in a limo about 'America's next war'. If you want an idea of a worst case scenario for the background operations of an American administration this is the film for you.
I would say that the only thing that could be perceived as being 'unfunny' is the idea that this could be what has happened with the "War on Terror". Watch this film, know what could be happening in "the land of the free".
In places you could say that this film is slightly far-fetched, but wait... no, you can't! The spin that we see come out of this country let alone the number one country for media-savvy!
The amazing thing about this film is the premonition that DeNiro's character makes at one point whilst riding in a limo about 'America's next war'. If you want an idea of a worst case scenario for the background operations of an American administration this is the film for you.
I would say that the only thing that could be perceived as being 'unfunny' is the idea that this could be what has happened with the "War on Terror". Watch this film, know what could be happening in "the land of the free".
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Personally I thought the film was excellent, although several friends that I've passed it on to found it the comlete opposite.
Its one of those films were you have to listen and watch whats going on or you'll miss it.
CLEVERELY CONSTRUCTED! WELL ACTED!
Probably not too far from the truth!
Its one of those films were you have to listen and watch whats going on or you'll miss it.
CLEVERELY CONSTRUCTED! WELL ACTED!
Probably not too far from the truth!
My personal advice is to rent it before you add it to your collection!
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a brilliant film. Its sparkling humour and delightfully paced script render a penetrating insight into the American electoral process.
The film's satirical assessment of media management magnificently brings to light the creeping superficiality of American society.
The acting is no less impressive. De Niro is typically accomplished. And Hoffman delivers a truly exceptional performance - this alone is reason enough to watch the film!
Buy it, and you won't be disappointed!
The film's satirical assessment of media management magnificently brings to light the creeping superficiality of American society.
The acting is no less impressive. De Niro is typically accomplished. And Hoffman delivers a truly exceptional performance - this alone is reason enough to watch the film!
Buy it, and you won't be disappointed!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
American political satire on a new level
SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS
Rare in the American film list, this is a satire. Even rarer, it is an amusing, successful satire. Read more
Rare in the American film list, this is a satire. Even rarer, it is an amusing, successful satire. Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
Bulls-eye of a movie industry
Even on the time of it's release, Wag The Dog proved to be prophetic. Monica Lewinsky's confessions, infame of Bill Clinton... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. J. M. Zielinski
Very Clever
SHALLOW AS A WORMS GRAVE!! Honestly some people, what more can i say about the top right review except ignore him! Read more
Published on 24 April 2010 by jason spriggs
DeNiro & Hoffman
Pitch perfect. One incredible and hilarious comedy scene to another, this has all the hallmarks of a David Mamet script. Read more
Published on 19 May 2009 by Jim-Jim
delicious satire
This delicious satire is frightening in the way that it requires only slight exaggeration to spin its absurd scenario. Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2007 by Billy Ray Cyrus
Too true to be true
Yes the dog needs to be wagged severely by the tail. If politics is nothing but a branch of show business, it is nothing but tall tales and scary stories. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2007 by Jacques COULARDEAU
Shockingly Awful
Out of all the films I have ever seen Hoffman and De Niro in I have never seen one so bad as Wag the Dog. It was terrible. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2006 by Ian Weirdy
Boring and only slightly funny!!
Having watched 'Meet The Fockers' last week I was really looking forward to seeing how De Niro and Hoffman performed in this film. Read more
Published on 30 May 2005 by Michael Bermingham
Still a very strong film
It is worth see this film. It has gone a couple of years since it was mabe but wouldn't have guessed it.
Published on 6 July 2004 by Sofia Kallin
Clever movie about modern-day politics
"Wag the dog" gathers a very good cast to tell a clever story about politics and its close connection to the TV business. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2000
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