Review
Informative and easy-to-read, it is of tremendous practical value to anyone who loves liberty and movies. --
Libertarian Party News, November, 2001
From the Inside Flap
This is a guide to films and videos of particular interest to libertarians.
A few films, like Harry's War and The Fountainhead, are well known for their advocacy of freedom and individualism. But many others dealing with such themes have yet to receive the attention they deserve. In what follows, I have tried to systematically identify and assess as many such films and videos as possible.
I have adopted a "big tent" approach to libertarianism in two respects. First, libertarianism comprises a whole range of political positions, from a purely pragmatic preference for limited government to out-and-out anarchism. These positions in turn imply varying degrees of enthusiasm for particular applications of libertarian principles. Taking a neutral path, I have included films and videos of interest to any and every shade of the libertarian political spectrum.
Second, libertarianism is more than just a political position. For many, libertarian political convictions arise out of deeply held philosophical beliefs that transcend politics. Randians, for example, put reason and self-interest first, and derive the need for political freedom from those concepts. Others come to libertarian political conclusions out of concern for social tolerance, for personal responsibility, or for economic efficiency. Alongside films and videos that depict the dangers of too much government, I have also included those that address these underlying concerns.
In short, this guide has something for everyone under the libertarian sun. Not everyone will agree with every choice I have made. But I hope all will find much to enjoy.
A few conventions: "Based on a true story" means that the film largely reflects actual events, though possibly with some literary adjustment. "Inspired by actual events" is weaker, indicating that the film has some basis in fact but with more substantial literary adjustment. For the most part, I have excluded Motion Picture Association of America ratings (G, PG, R, etc.). In my opinion, these ratings are often misleading. Instead, when a film depicts notable violence, I have so indicated in its review. Some reviews contain references to other films; in such cases when the referred-to film is also listed in this guide, its title will appear in bold.
