Name: The Second Civil War
Genre: Drama, Comedy, TV Movie, War
Released: 1997-12-04
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Beau Bridges, Joanna Cassidy, James Coburn, Kevin Dunn, Phil Hartman

1997·Drama·1h 37m

7.1

★

When a planeload of Pakistani orphans are shipped to his state for permanent relocation, the governor of Idaho defies the president and closes the state's border. News Net Television, a cable news program that makes hay by reporting on political scandals, quickly spins the racist act into an overnight media sensation, creating a divide in national opinion over the issue.

Directed by Joe Dante

civil war

politics

militia

journalism

illegal immigration

baffled

IMDB

N/A

Where to Watch

Cast

Beau Bridges

Governor Jim Farley

Joanna Cassidy

Helena Newman

James Coburn

Jack Buchan

Kevin Dunn

Jimmy Cannon

Phil Hartman

The President

Dan Hedaya

Mel Burgess

James Earl Jones

Jim Kalla

Denis Leary

Vinnie Franco

Elizabeth Peña

Christina Fernandez

Ron Perlman

Alan Manieski

Brian Keith

General Buford

Kevin McCarthy

Chief of Staff

Crew

Joe Dante

Director

Martyn Burke

Writer

Mac Ahlberg

Director of Photography

Barry Levinson

Executive Producer

Paul E. Short

Stunts

Steve Kelso

Stunts

Mike Fenton

Casting

Popular Reviews

9 reviews

suzi16

9.0★ · 12/07/25

I didn't expect that I would like it so much

Roberto Becerra

7.0★ · 01/06/25

A brilliantly funny satire yet an eerie foreshadowing of America's current political climate. I do think this kinda drags on a bit with it's gags but the ending is just great. 3.5/5.

Jacob Paddison

7.0★ · 04/22/24

it's a mix of a lotta things i want out of a movie:
a political satire
a dark comedy
a bunch of actors i recognise
HBO made for tv movie
behind the scenes newsroom antics
uhhhh pretty funny

ScottPRO

8.0★ · 04/13/24

Alex Garland retire bitch!

8.0★ · 05/03/26