Expository internal affairs drama which brings to light the often unprincipled tactics used in negative "smear" campaigning, and its effects within the political arena.
Acting
Edward Binns brings sweaty desperation to every backroom deal.
Direction
Girard's TV-trained efficiency—zero fat, all venom.
Director
Bernard Girard
Myron McCormick
Sam Clavell
Edward Binns
Sen. Fred Baines
Judson Pratt
Hal Green
Jackie Loughery
Phyllis Baines
Paul Birch
Malcomb Hardy
Harry Carey, Jr.
Bill Martin
Grace Lee Whitney
Tracey Phillips
Peter Brocco
Leonard Lohman
Mack Williams
Sen. George Armstrong
Noel Drayton
George Babcock
Tyler McVey
Sen. Howard Hopkins
Armand Alzamora
Joe Vasquez - Gardener
Patricia Donahue
Alice
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot during the Kennedy-Nixon era, this was director Bernard Girard's transition from TV anthologies to feature films—explaining the lean, episodic structure.
The film's 'smear manual' scenes were based on actual 1950s opposition research tactics, making this a grim documentary disguised as fiction.
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