Power (1986)
Sidney Lumet's sharp political drama exposes the ruthless world of campaign consulting, where image is everything and integrity is always for sale.
Power - Movie Information
- Original Title: Power
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Sidney Lumet
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 51m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Yiddish, English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 31, 1986 (United States - R), November 26, 1986 (France - 12), March 27, 1986 (Australia)
- Alternative Titles: Poder (ES), El poder (PE), Skabt til succes (DK), Jega (LT), Os Donos do Poder (BR), Les coulisses du pouvoir (FR), I goiteia tis exousias (GR), Moc (RS)
- Production Companies: Polar Entertainment, Lorimar Motion Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Power - Plot
Pete St. John is a powerful and successful political consultant, with clients spread around the country. When his long-time friend and client Ohio senator Sam Hastings decides to quit politics, he is rapidly drafted to help with the campaign of the man destined to succeed him, unknown and mysterious businessman Jerome Cade...
Power - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the political machinery of Power in action:
More seductive than sex… More addictive than any drug… More precious than gold. And one man can get it for you. For a price.
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Power - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sidney Lumet
Main Cast
- Richard Gere
- Denzel Washington
- Gene Hackman
- Julie Christie
- Kate Capshaw
- E.G. Marshall
- J. T. Walsh
- Beatrice Straight
- Fritz Weaver
- E. Katherine Kerr
Writers
- David Himmelstein
Producers
- Mark Tarlov
- Reene Schisgal
Power - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Power?
Power features a stellar cast led by Richard Gere as slick consultant Pete St. John, alongside Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Julie Christie, Kate Capshaw, E.G. Marshall, J. T. Walsh, Beatrice Straight, Fritz Weaver, and E. Katherine Kerr.
What is Power about?
Power follows Pete St. John, a high-powered political consultant who manages campaigns across the country. When a mysterious businessman named Jerome Cade enters the picture, Pete’s moral boundaries are pushed to their limits, exposing the dark machinery behind modern political image-making.
Did Power flop at the box office?
Yes, Power was a notable commercial disappointment. Made on a budget of around $16 million, the film earned only approximately $3.8 million at the box office — a significant shortfall that made it one of the more high-profile misfires of Sidney Lumet’s career despite its impressive cast.
Where can I stream or watch Power?
You can watch Power by renting or buying it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It’s widely available across major digital platforms, so finding a copy to watch at home is pretty straightforward.
Is Power based on a true story?
Power is not based on a specific true story, but it draws heavily from the real world of American political consulting. Screenwriter David Himmelstein crafted a fictional narrative that reflects genuine practices in political image management, making it feel grounded and uncomfortably plausible throughout.
What is the age rating for Power?
Power carries an R rating in the United States. The film contains mature themes around political corruption, moral compromise, and adult relationships, making it best suited for viewers 17 and older. It’s a serious, grown-up drama with no action spectacle — just sharp, cynical storytelling.
How does Power portray political consultants?
Sidney Lumet’s film presents political consultants as amoral image architects who package candidates like products, indifferent to ideology. Pete St. John wins elections for anyone who can pay, and the film uses this premise to deliver a stinging critique of how media manipulation and money corrupt democratic processes.
How long is Power?
Power runs for 1 hour and 51 minutes. It’s a briskly paced political drama that moves efficiently through its story of backroom deals and moral erosion, never overstaying its welcome despite the complexity of its subject matter and the size of its ensemble cast.
More About Power
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