description Wag the Dog Overview
Wag the Dog, directed by Barry Levinson, depicts a scenario involving a political spin doctor and a film producer who create a staged conflict in Albania to divert public attention. The narrative explores the manipulation of media and perception to influence an election outcome, based on a 1993 novel.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
info Wag the Dog Specifications
| Country | United States |
| Year | 1997 |
help Wag the Dog FAQ
Who stars in Wag the Dog?
Wag the Dog stars Robert De Niro as political fixer Conrad Brean and Dustin Hoffman as Hollywood producer Stanley Motss. The ensemble also includes Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson, and Denis Leary.
When was Wag the Dog released?
Wag the Dog was released theatrically in December 1997, directed by Barry Levinson. Its release coincidentally coincided with the eruption of the real-world Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, prompting widespread media comparisons to the film's plot.
What does the title Wag the Dog mean?
The title references the idiom about a tail wagging a dog: if the tail were smarter, it would wag the dog instead. In the film, this metaphor represents political operatives manufacturing a fake war in Albania to distract the public and manipulate an election.
Was Wag the Dog based on a book?
Yes, the screenplay was adapted from Larry Beinhart's novel American Hero. The screenplay is credited to Hilary Henkin and David Mamet, with the adaptation departing significantly from the source novel's plot.
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