The Second Civil War
“A very uncivil comedy”
Synopsis
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.
Top Cast
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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
Dick Miller
Eddie O'Neill
William Schallert
Secretary of Defense
Catherine Lloyd Burns
Amelia Sims
Jerry Hardin
Colonel McNally
Larry Jenkins
Kenya Nkomo
Ben Masters
Matthew Langford
Release History & Theatrical Window
Venice Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Joe Dante
- Screenplay & Story
- Martyn Burke
- Original Score
- Hummie Mann
- Original Title
- The Second Civil War
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Spanish
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Studios
- Baltimore Pictures, HBO
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Joe Dante
Martyn Burke
Hummie Mann
Mac Ahlberg
Marshall Harvey
Barry Levinson, Chip Diggins, Guy Riedel
Department Leadership Roster
Joe Dante
Director
Martyn Burke
Writer
Marshall Harvey
Editor
Mac Ahlberg
Director of Photography
Guy Riedel
Producer
Hummie Mann
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Second Civil War.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Second Civil War.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Second Civil War
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Second Civil War about?
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.
Who directed The Second Civil War?
The Second Civil War was directed by Joe Dante.
Who stars in The Second Civil War?
The principal cast of The Second Civil War includes Beau Bridges, Joanna Cassidy, James Coburn, Kevin Dunn, Phil Hartman.
When was The Second Civil War released and how long is it?
The Second Civil War was released in 1997 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
Who composed the musical score for The Second Civil War?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Second Civil War was composed by Hummie Mann.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Second Civil War?
The Second Civil War holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).