Reason magazine, November issue (p.8), asked me to pick the three "best" and "most libertarian" movies of all time. (Exactly how do those values get weighed against each other? Like a good economist I sidestepped the aggregation issue and picked what I wanted to.) My third selection was:
Battle Royale: Why do so few people know this 2000 Japanese cult classic? The underlying political theme is that totalitarianism can end only in a war of all against all. This classic of resistance and liberation shows how tyrannous circumstances degrade mankind.
Can you guess my other selections, including my fourth dark horse pick?
Hmmm, I’ll guess (in no particular order):
Blade Runner – somewhat dystopian, but the fact that replicants even exist is a testament to the market and the lack of government interference (some say “oversight”).
Oh, and at least in the movie, (some) crime control has in an important sense been privatized – given to the replicants themselves (if you believe Ridley Scott).
Empire Strikes Back
Brazil – sort of an obvious pick so I’m doubting this one
I disagree with you about the underlying theme of Battle Royale. The all against all only happened because they were ordered to do it. Off the island, there was no all against all.
A better theme… any program that captures the public imagination continues beyond the point where it serves its original purpose (i.e., the organization supposed to protect the country by running these battle experiments devolves into a gambling operation), though that’s captured more in the book than the movie.
I’m betting that you don’t actually have two other picks, but are using our collective experience to get some suggestions for the other two, and the dark horse pick.
V for Vendetta is too obvious. The Order of the Phoenix is too new. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, maybe?
Battle Royale is awesome.
You may recognize one of the stars of that movie from “Kill Bill: Vol 1″.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0475752/
My favorite “Pro-Capitalist” movie is “Cash McCall.” [1960] Great Cast! Stars James Garner as Cash McCall, Natalie Wood, Nina Foch, Dean Jagger and E.G. Marshall
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052680/
The Fountainhead (film) was unintended comedy, it was so bad.
My picks would include “The Last of the Mohicans.” Except for Hawkeye’s brief speech trashing selfishness (he’s remarking on the policies of the kings of Britain and France, but really makes no distinction for the viewer), this film–like the novel–is about the birth of a distinctive American spirit during the French and Indian War. It captures perfectly how the colonists first came to understand that their their lives were considered the fodder of a distant monarch with distant interests. And it has one of the best soundtracks ever.
Hmm, I’ll guess Other People’s Money.
Barbarian Invasions, The Castle, Tucker, and The Aviator all have strong libertarian elements.
How about “Red Dawn” which is a celebration of free men (and women) using armed resistance against tyranny. “Brazil” is a brilliant representation of an evil bureaucratic state. “The Pursuit of Happyness” shows that hard work really can get you anywhere.
The princess bride could be seen in this lens. Not only does it have several of the best game theoretic examples of any movie, but it can be seen as the triumph justice against state tyranny.
Conan the Barbarian?
Thinking about it, most if not all my favorite movies are kind of subversive, if not libertarian: Duck Soup, Life of Brian, Conan the Barbarian, High Noon, Yojimbo, The Man Who Would Be King, and as a dark horse: Himalaya – l’enfance d’un chef.
On the other hand, I hate V for Vendetta and Clockwork Orange, because I hate being taken for an idiot.
How about “The People vs. Larry Flynt?”
Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” shows how competitive situations
batter down vested interest groups, without the help by the central
goverment. It is also very game theoretic.
“Trainspotting” demonstrates how the heroin addict (Renton) behaves rationally (finally, he succeeds in quitting heroin and changing himself without the help by the goverment. Also,
it shows the relationship between addiction and a discount rate, in a manner
completely consistent with Gary Becker’s theory.
Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” shows how competitive situations
batter down vested interest groups, without the help by the central
goverment. It is also very game theoretic.
“Trainspotting” demonstrates how the heroin addict (Renton) behaves rationally (finally, he succeeds in quitting heroin and changing himself without the help by the goverment. Also,
it shows the relationship between addiction and a discount rate, in a manner
completely consistent with Gary Becker’s theory.
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Throw in Gattaca as the dark horse. With all of the “flawed” genetic specimens having to fight for their freedom.
A movie that I always use to explain issues is Rocky. I could even go with the whole series especially with the most recent movie’s quote on the pursuit of happiness.
Path of glory to illustrate that even the “good guys” fail miserably at being good.
I am not going to try to guess all three, much less the two plus one,
.
but if one of them is not “Brazil,” then it means Tyler was thinking about
this while lost in one of those suburban shopping mall parking lots he favors
so much while looking for the latest ultra-cool (meaning hot) Sichuan restaurant,
The Old Man and the Sea
The Magnificent Amberson .
The Quiet Man
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
1984
Animal Farm
Brazil (madness of central planning), Rocky or Rocky Balboa (individual pursuit of happiness), and A Man for All Seasons (prisoner of conscience).
OJ in the film? Arggh. He’s gonna say Capricorn Five. My brain explodes.
OJ? It’s gotta be Naked Gun.
Rocky Balboa was probably directed by Von Mises.
What about Working Girl?
What about Working Girl?
The Aviator
Gattaca
hm… how about “The shop on Main Street”?
I know there are lots of others, but I am pretty bad at remembering films.
I don’t think Good Bye Lenin! (2003) has been mentioned.
German w/ English subtitles. Very good.
Sullivan’s Travels?
Second the vote for “Lives of Others” — is wonderful. Dominates “Good Bye Lenin!” on all relevant dimensions. Reading later about Muhe’s life caps it off nicely.
The Matrix? 300? 1984?
The Matrix? 300? 1984?
You got mail!
Siege
Dark horse: ….. Thank you for smoking …?
Well there needs to be a Bergman film in the mix, The Seventh Seal. Surviving a crusade, holding off Death at the chess table, finding a means to live a meaningful life and helping to save the lives of others –the medieval form of libertarianism!
Shawshank Redemption — Kind of Randian. Triumph of purposive action over the a corrupt, authoritarian state.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — similar theme.
Legends of the Fall — I’m not a huge fan but it is a story about the family vs. the government, basically–also touches on the folly of WWI and the tragedy of the American Indian.
Another great libertarian film/musical/puppetshow comes to mind:
Team America: World Police (2004) – “Putting the “F” back in Freedom”
A 98 minute mockery of leftists, rightists, fascists, and terrorists… F**k Yeah!
Rated R for graphic crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language – all involving marionettes.
I,Robot
The Americanization of Emily?
I am guessing the dark horse is Roots.
If it is Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood, my estimation of Tyler Cowen will sink to levels it will never recover from.
Wow, some great picks. I’m going to nominate the latest Harry Potter movie (I think it’s Order of the Phoenix) for its particularly compelling depiction of the evils of bureaucracy, paternalism, government sponsored and influenced propoganda, and the self-interest of a democracy’s governing elites.
Lagaan?
If it’s OJ, then it has to be The Towering Inferno, a classic study in responsibility and public safety. Also Steve McQueen says “breeches buoy” several times.
The Incredibles is a great pick, for the reasons that econ2econ said. Also, there is a great lesson in the division of labor (the family’s gifts really complement each others). It is also a great Conservative movie because of the pro-family message.
Pulp Fiction. It’s a morality play, and reflects the idea that man’s destiny can be steered through individual choice, unless that opportunity is taken away by other people’s violent actions (and no, we don’t want that).
Seconding The Incredibles.
And Fight Club, because it is a double serving of awesome, and we are sidestepping the aggregation issue, right?
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