Top 10 Political Films

May 9, 2008

Steven J. Ross, professor and chair of the History Department at the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, looks back at U.S. filmic history for defining moments. This is an eclectic list, Ross says — not the usual suspects, but the films that speak to issues of power and politics in America.

1. The Birth of a Nation (1915). The most powerful movie about race and politics ever made. Recast American understanding of Reconstruction.

2. The Italian (1915). A moving film about the American Dream gone bad.

3. Gabriel Over the White House (1933). An odd but interesting movie about a fascist democracy rising out of the Great Depression.

4. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). The mythic David beats Goliath. Allows Americans to think that all problems can be solved in two hours.

5. The Great Dictator (1940). Chaplin opens his mouth to warn Americans about the dangers of Nazism — and loses many of his formerly loyal viewers.

6. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). A film way ahead of its times, dealing with the national neglect of returning World War II veterans. My favorite film.

7. Salt of the Earth (1954). One of the best American movies dealing with the intersection of class, race, gender and ethnicity.

8. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964). A powerful black comedy about Cold War insanity.

9. Coming Home (1978). The Vietnam era version of The Best Years of Our Lives. We send men to war, but ignore them when they return home.

10. Bulworth (1998). A wonderful and ironic look at the hypocrisy of American politics and politicians.