The Last Debate

"To save America's future, they had to destroy a candidate's past."

2000 1h 30m EN

🤯

9.0

MASTERPIECE

★9.0TMDB · 1

DramaTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A presidential debate, unconfirmed rumors and four reporters who take the political process into their own hands. With the election only a week away, the two candidates square off in a final debate. The televised event takes a dramatic turn when the moderator and three panelists confront one of the candidates with unconfirmed rumors and allegations. The debate quickly turns into a witch hunt and destroys one politician's career. They also give Tom Chapman, the up-and-coming reporter investigating the panel's ambush, the story of a lifetime: What went on behind the last debate.

“To save America's future, they had to destroy a candidate's past.”

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Cast

James Garner
Mike Howley
Peter Gallagher
Tom Chapman
Audra McDonald
Barbara Manning
Donna Murphy
Joan Naylor
Marco Sanchez
Henry Ramirez
Dorian Harewood
Brad Lily
Jack Turpin
Michael Riley
Bruce Gray
Governor Paul L. Greene

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: John Badham
Writers: Jon Maas
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

26 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by John Badham, shot by Norayr Kasper. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Arthur B. Rubinstein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Frank Morriss shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

James Garner and Peter Gallagher and Audra McDonald carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "To save America's future, they had to destroy a candidate's past.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0249683 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

John Badham directs. Norayr Kasper behind the camera. Arthur B. Rubinstein scores. Frank Morriss cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
226 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by John Badham, shot by Norayr Kasper. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Arthur B. Rubinstein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Frank Morriss shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6James Garner and Peter Gallagher and Audra McDonald carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "To save America's future, they had to destroy a candidate's past.".
8IMDB entry: tt0249683 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.