1/31/06: The Political flix is on: CitizenU Picks America's Greatest Political Films

The State of the Union is not the only big story today. In America, we love our film. Today the Academy of Motion Pictures will be announcing their Oscar nominations. We at CitizenU have our favorites as well. Below is our list of favorite political films. The choices are never easy. We left many good films on the cutting room floor. The films below, however, are sure things. Do you want to understand our government and politics? Watch these films.

THEORY

1776 (1972) A musical celebration of the founding of the United States of America, centering around the familiar historical characters as they organize a movement for independence from Mother England. All events lead up to that most significant date, July 4, 1776, when the Declaration was signed. Based on the musical play "1776" produced on the New York stage by Stuart Ostrow. Starring William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, and Ken Howard; directed by Peter H. Hunt.

FEDERALISM

ALL THE KING'S MEN (1949) A political demagogue governor of a Southern State believes that every man has his price and that the end justifies the means. Based on the novel by Robert Penn Warren. Starring Broderick Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, and John Ireland; directed by Robert Rossen.

MEDIA

WAG THE DOG (1997) When the President is caught in a sex scandal less than 2 weeks before the election, "Mr. Fix-it" decides they need a war to distract the public's attention and he calls on Hollywood's top producer to create it. Based on the book American Hero by Larry Beinhart. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro; directed by Barry Levinson.

CAMPAIGNS

PRIMARY COLORS (1998) Follows a virtually unknown Southern governor on a quest for the White House with his strong, savvy and equally ambitious wife. Based on the novel by Anonymous (later revealed to be Joe Klein). Starring John Travolta and Emma Thompson; directed by Mike Nichols.

PARTICIPATION

CITIZEN KANE (1941) Orson Welles' controversial film, hailed as the best American film ever made, is a portrait of Charles Foster Kane, revealing America's love of power and materialism and the resultant corruption. Starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten and other members of the Mercury Theater acting troupe; directed by Orson Welles.

POLITICAL PARTIES

BEING THERE (1979) Peter Sellers gives the performance of his career as Chance, a middle-aged gardener whose thoughts and behavior are totally shaped by television. When fate puts him in contact with business and political leaders, his innocence and silence are viewed as genius. Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas co-star; written by Jerzy Kosinski, from his story.

INTEREST GROUPS

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939) Washington's youngest senator exposes corruption in high places, almost at the cost of his career. A classic from director Frank Capra. Starring Jean Arthur, James Stewart, and Claude Rains.

PRESIDENT

DAVE (1993) A lookalike is hired to impersonate the president who has suffered a stroke. What no one counted on is his idealism. Starring Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, and Frank Langella; directed by Ivan Reitman.

CONGRESS

ADVISE AND CONSENT (1962) Political machinations and tragedy as the President's nominee for Secretary of State faces the Senate approval process. Based on the novel by Allen Drury. Starring Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton and Don Murray; directed by Otto Preminger.

COURTS THE OX-BOW INCIDENT (1943) Two drifters are passing through a Western town, when news comes in that a local farmer has been murdered and his cattle stolen. The townspeople, joined by the drifters, form a posse to catch the perpetrators. They find three men in possession of the cattle, and are determined to see justice done on the spot.

What films would you add?