Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Having long been interested in politics, I enjoy watching political shows, reading political books, and even watching movies about politics. I finally found time to view The War Room, a documentary film about the 1992 Clinton for President campaign. Directed by Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker, The War Room gave me a sense of what goes on behind the scenes of the public campaigns.

The film begins in New Hampshire, home of the first primary in the United States Presidential election system and takes us all the way through Election Day of 1992. A huge range of candidates are being marketed with signs of various forms (a dog even carries a sign reading "Barkin for Harkin!") and there are numerous campaign headquarters lining the roads. Presidential candidate Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas is running for the Democratic nomination, and it soon becomes apparent that scandals are dogging every step of his race. After a media appearance by Gennifer Flowers, political consultants write Clinton off. Somehow Clinton comes in second in the primary and soon his campaign is rolling along across the United States.

Anyone who has not been in a coma since 1992 knows the ending of this story, but the ending is not the point. How does a person go from Governor of a small state to running – and winning – a Presidential campaign? While it is fairly well known that Clinton himself was a tireless campaigner, this film focuses on the people that are behind the scenes, working on strategy and dealing with day to day decisions. Bill Clinton himself has a tiny role in this. I was able to get some insight into how political advertising is done, how polls affect a campaign from day to day, and how much boring work has to be done down to seemingly tiny decisions. Should handmade signs be allowed on the convention floor? Or is it better to have signs printed? When writing a speech, what phrase is going to shine the best light on your candidate?

Surprisingly, none of this comes off as boring. Partly this is due to the nature of the exciting three way race in 1992 between incumbent (former) President George Bush, Governor Bill Clinton, and H. Ross Perot. (There are a few downright hilarious moments featuring Ross Perot, whose campaign theme song was, appropriately enough, that Patsy Cline hit, "Crazy.") But it also reflects the unflagging energy of the people at the center of the campaign, most particularly Clinton’s campaign manager, James Carville.

Other faces that political watchers will recognize include George Stephanopoulus, DeeDee Myers, Mary Matalin, Paul Begala, and of course, the Clinton and Gore families. Just the sight of young, awkward Chelsea Clinton gave me nostalgia fits.

Minor complaints that I have with the DVD include the fact that there is no closed captioning. James Carville is known as the "Ragin’ Cajun," and I have to confess that at times I was at a loss as to what words were coming out of his mouth. I’m also baffled by the fact that there is nothing in the way of special features on the DVD. No interviews, no biographies, no commentary with the director, no scenes from the cutting room floor. It’s just the film itself, and a handy "chapters" menu option that lets you pick out a chapter of the film to skip to, if you so desire.

Directors Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker were nominated for both an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature as well as for the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Documentary in 1993 for their work on The War Room.

The War Room is a must-see for anyone interested in politics and elections, regardless of political party. My husband, who does not enjoy politics, found this to be an interesting film to view as well. If it sounds interesting to you in any way, it’s worth a look to see behind the scenes of history being made.

I’m giving this 5 stars despite the bizarre lack of special features on the DVD.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older