"Wag the Dog" Strikes a Chord as US Military Strikes Raise Questions of Motive

Strategic Insights -

As President Clinton's announcement of military strikes against terrorist camps in Afghanistan and Sudan sparked a wave of public skepticism, many observers drew parallels with the 1997 film "Wag the Dog", a satirical comedy about a fictional US president who orchestrates a war to distract the nation from a sex scandal. The film's unexpected resurgence in popularity, with rentals skyrocketing in the days following the strikes, has left many questioning whether the parallels are more than just coincidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The film "Wag the Dog" tells the story of a US president caught in a messy sex scandal whose advisers concoct a fictitious war against Albania to distract the nation.
  • The film, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman and Willie Nelson, was released in late 1997 and has since become a commercial success, grossing $43 million at the box office and $20.3 million in rental revenues.
  • The parallels between the film and recent events have been drawing attention from media outlets, with many questioning whether the US military action was motivated by a desire to distract the nation from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
  • Defense Secretary William Cohen responded to the comparison with "The only motivation driving this action today was our absolute obligation to protect the American people from terrorist activities."
  • Rentals of "Wag the Dog" have increased significantly in the days following the missile strikes, with several video stores reporting a "dramatic increase in interest" and "especially strong push".
  • The film's director, Barry Levinson, has downplayed the parallels, stating that the film was simply entertainment and not a prediction of real-world events.

Statistics:

  • $43 million: the box office gross of "Wag the Dog"
  • $20.3 million: the rental revenues of "Wag the Dog" through the last weekend
  • 1997: the release year of "Wag the Dog"
  • $104: the sale price of the "Wag the Dog" video (intended for rental only)
  • July 1: the release date of "Wag the Dog" on home video

Sources:

  • "Wag the Dog" rental revenues up, video stores report", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 1998
  • "Clinton Strikes 'Terrorist Camps' in Sudan", Reuters, August 1998
  • Interview with Barry Levinson, Associated Press, August 1998
  • Box office data for "Wag the Dog" from Video Business, August 1998