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WarGames

  • 19831983
  • PGPG
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
99K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,506
670
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
WarGames (1983)
A young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III.
Play trailer2:20
2 Videos
67 Photos
  • Action
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi

A young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III.A young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III.A young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
99K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,506
670
  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writers
    • Lawrence Lasker
    • Walter F. Parkes
    • Walon Green(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Matthew Broderick
    • Ally Sheedy
    • John Wood
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writers
    • Lawrence Lasker
    • Walter F. Parkes
    • Walon Green(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Matthew Broderick
    • Ally Sheedy
    • John Wood
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 219User reviews
    • 93Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:20
    Official Trailer
    What to Watch: Back to the '80s on Prime Video
    Clip 3:33
    What to Watch: Back to the '80s on Prime Video

    Photos67

    Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy in WarGames (1983)
    Barry Corbin and Michael Ensign in WarGames (1983)
    Dabney Coleman, Juanin Clay, and Duncan Wilmore in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, and John Wood in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Howie Allen in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy in WarGames (1983)
    Barry Corbin, Joe Dorsey, and Michael Ensign in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, Dabney Coleman, Juanin Clay, Barry Corbin, Michael Ensign, Irving Metzman, Duncan Wilmore, and John Wood in WarGames (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy in WarGames (1983)
    Dabney Coleman in WarGames (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Matthew Broderick
    Matthew Broderick
    • Davidas David
    Ally Sheedy
    Ally Sheedy
    • Jenniferas Jennifer
    John Wood
    John Wood
    • Falkenas Falken
    Dabney Coleman
    Dabney Coleman
    • McKittrickas McKittrick
    Barry Corbin
    Barry Corbin
    • General Beringeras General Beringer
    Juanin Clay
    Juanin Clay
    • Pat Healyas Pat Healy
    Kent Williams
    Kent Williams
    • Cabotas Cabot
    Dennis Lipscomb
    Dennis Lipscomb
    • Watsonas Watson
    Joe Dorsey
    Joe Dorsey
    • Conleyas Conley
    Irving Metzman
    • Richteras Richter
    Michael Ensign
    Michael Ensign
    • Beringer's Aideas Beringer's Aide
    William Bogert
    William Bogert
    • Mr. Lightmanas Mr. Lightman
    Susan Davis
    • Mrs. Lightmanas Mrs. Lightman
    James Tolkan
    James Tolkan
    • Wiganas Wigan
    David Clover
    • Stockmanas Stockman
    Drew Snyder
    Drew Snyder
    • Ayersas Ayers
    John Garber
    • Corporal in the Infirmaryas Corporal in the Infirmary
    Duncan Wilmore
    • Major Lemas Major Lem
    • Director
      • John Badham
    • Writers
      • Lawrence Lasker
      • Walter F. Parkes
      • Walon Green(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A young computer whiz kid accidentally connects into a top secret super-computer which has complete control over the U.S. nuclear arsenal. It challenges him to a game between America and Russia, and he innocently starts the countdown to World War 3. Can he convince the computer he wanted to play a game and not the real thing ? —Colin Tinto <cst@imdb.com>
    • hacker
    • cold war
    • computer
    • modem
    • phreaking
    • 391 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The only winning move is not to play.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to John Badham, the jeep trying to crash through the gate at NORAD and turning over was an actual accident. The jeep was supposed to continue through the gate. They added the scene of the characters running from the jeep and down the tunnel, and used the botched jeep stunt.
    • Goofs
      After David is arrested, the next scene is at NORAD where a tour group is being escorted. The escort asks a woman with a camera around her neck to sit in the command chair. A visitor would not be allowed to bring a camera into NORAD.
    • Quotes

      [after playing out all possible outcomes for Global Thermonuclear War]

      Joshua: Greetings, Professor Falken.

      Stephen Falken: Hello, Joshua.

      Joshua: A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

    • Alternate versions
      In the International-dubbed prints and the U.S. TV premiere, in the scene where the female airmen is counting down to Impact, there is more background music that plays than in the original version.
    • Connections
      Edited into Canadian Bacon (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Video Fever
      Performed by Arthur B. Rubinstein, Cynthia Morrow, Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli (as The Beepers)

      Lyrics by Cynthia Morrow

      Music by Arthur B. Rubinstein

      Produced by Anthony Marinelli (uncredited)

    User reviews219

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A young computer whizz kid accidentally taps into a top secret super-computer and nearly starts WW3
    A rogue young man named David (Matthew Broderick) along with his best friend Jennifer (Ally Sheedy) hack into their high school's computer to change his grade and later on , find a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III . As the United State's Department of Homeland Security is led to believe an American teen hacker playing a terrorist-attack simulator game online is a real terrorist out to destroy the U.S . The system is called the War Operation Plan Response, or WOPR for short, developed by brilliant but now deceased scientist Stephen Falken (John Wood), who programmed the system to learn continually through game simulations . At the end , a message : The only winning move is not to play.

    This is an entertaining film of the 80s ; it was way ahead of its time and it stills grips the spectator . A popular flick in which a young computer whiz hooks into a game manufacturer's computer and accidentally starts WWII when he decides to play a selection titled ¨Global Thermonuclear Warfare¨ . The picture contains almost no violence , nor murders or any other sensationalistic content . Interesting as well as amusing screenplay by writers Lawrence Lasker and Walter F. Parkes who during their extensive research for the film, made friends with many 'hackers' and security experts. They later wrote ¨Sneakers¨ another film featuring 'hackers' and security experts. Likable starring couple , Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy , both of whom hold a great chemistry . Large support cast such as Barry Corbin , Dabney Coleman , Dennis Lipscomb and many of them uncredited as Michael Madsen , Eddie Deezen , James Tolkan , ArtLeFleur , William H. Macy , Maury Chaykin and John Spencer . Special mention to John Wood as Professor Stephen Falken ; main inspiration for this character was Cambridge Professor Stephen Hawking ; he was originally approached to appear in the movie, but he declined because he didn't want the producers exploiting his disability . Adequate musical score accompanying the action by Arthur B. Rubinstein and inventively photographed by classic cameraman William A Fraker . The film was part of a 1980s cycle of films about atomic bombs and nuclear warfare which had started in 1979 with ¨The China syndrome¨. The films included ¨Silkwood¨, ¨Testament¨, ¨Threads¨, ¨The day after¨ , ¨The Atomic Cafe¨, ¨Ground zero¨,¨Special Bulletin¨ , ¨Barefoot Gen¨, ¨Rules of Engagement¨, ¨Letters from a Dead Man¨ , ¨The chain reaction¨, among others . Followed by an inferior remake titled ¨ WarGames: The Dead Code (2008)¨ by Stuart Gillard with Matt Lanter as Will Farmer , Amanda Walsh as Annie D'Mateo , Colm Feore as Joshua and Chuck Shamata as Bill Carter .

    The motion picture was professionally directed by John Badham , though the original director was Martin Brest, and several of the scenes he shot are still in the movie , but he was fired as filmmaker a short while into production due to creative differences . Badham's breakthrough credit was the box office smash Fever Saturday night (1977) ; other hits on his resume include The Blue Thunder (1983), War games (1983), and Shortcircuit (1986). He's a nice director who achieved his greatest success in the 80s and 90s . He directed several hits (Drop zone , Nick of time , Skateout ,Point of No Return , Bird on a wire) , though today making TV movies (Jack Bull , Floating away) and television episodes (Crossing Jordan, Psych, Las Vegas, Standoff , Heroes).
    helpful•12
    2
    • ma-cortes
    • Jul 26, 2013

    FAQ13

    • Does General Barringer have the authority to launch ICBM's?
    • Why does Jim tell David he programs his own password into every system he designs? It seems like Jim could get into serious trouble by doing that. David found Falken's secret password and still got caught breaking into NORAD so a secret password is not foolproof.
    • Why did the FBI take David to NORAD from Seattle just to question him?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 3, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • War Games
    • Filming locations
      • Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • United Artists
      • Sherwood Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $79,567,667
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,227,804
      • Jun 5, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $79,567,667
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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