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Michael Moore, Charlton Heston, Matt Stone, Marilyn Manson, Dick Clark ... see more see more... , George W. Bush , James Nichols , Barry Glassner , Richard Castaldo , Brandon T. Jackson , John Nichols

Filmmaker, author, and political activist Michael Moore trains his satirical eye on America's obsession with guns and violence in his third feature-length documentary, which gets its title from a pair... read more read more... of loosely related incidents. On April 20, 1999, shortly before they began their infamous killing spree at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold attended their favorite class, a no-credit bowling course held at a bowling alley near the school, the same bowling alley which would become the scene of a robbery and triple homicide two years later. While pondering these events, Moore humorously considers the link between random violence and the game of ten pins; along the way, Moore calls on the Michigan Militia (and gets to know some of the models for their "Militia Babes" calendar); spends some time with James Nichols, brother of Oklahoma City bombing accomplice Terry Nichols; visits K-Mart's corporate offices with two teenagers injured in the Columbine massacre as they ask the retail chain to stop selling bullets for handguns; investigates the media's role in the American climate of fear and anger; compares crime statistics in the United States with those of Canada (which, despite higher unemployment and a larger number of guns per capita, manages to rack up a small fraction of the homicides committed in the United States), and questions actor and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston regarding his appearance at a pro-gun rally held in Littleton a few days after the Columbine massacre, and a similar rally in Flint, MI, after a six-year-old boy killed a classmate with a gun he took from his uncle's house. Bowling for Columbine received its first public screening at the 2002 Ann Arbor Film Festival; the film's official premiere took place a few months later at the Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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161 critics

R, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Michael Moore, Charlton Heston, Dick Clark, George W. Bush, John Nichols, Marilyn Manson, Matt Stone

Release Date: October 11, 2002

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DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

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Stats: 8,832 reviews

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HARRIS KLEBOLD Bowling for Columbine Kim and Hailey eric harris and dylan klebold eric harris and dylan klebold BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE eric harris and dylan klebold ERIC AND DYLAN COLUMBINE HARRIS KLEBOLD HARRIS KLEBOLD eric harris and dylan klebold eric harris and dylan klebold reb and vodka Bowling for Columbine Bowling for Columbine Bowling for Columbine Bowling for Columbine
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Flixster Reviews (8,832)

  • fb100002359227440
    April 20, 2012
    fb100002359227440
    A terrific portrait of a America full of fears and violence, a great masterpiece by Michael Moore. Fresh.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    April 11, 2012
    StarCrossedVoyager
    A pretty good look into what happened at Columbine, however although it sets out the premise of being about Columbine, I believe it really is about guns in general. No one doubts that guns can be extremely useful when in danger yourself, for example at war but surely in the West ... read morewe don't need that kind of protection in our own homes? It brings up a lot of good points especially where Moore compares the US to other countries such as Canada, the UK and Europe but I particularly adored Manson's quote that he wouldn't say anything to the kids, he'd listen. Such a great documentary, a must see.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    January 17, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Bowling for Columbine is a great documentary film from filmmaker Michael Moore. The film takes a look at America's obsession with guns. The film is very revealing in the way Michael Moore raises his points, and he gives plenty of good points, while at times making himself look l... read moreike a bad guy.
    I personally think Michael Moore should have approached it from a different angle. However this film is important, and it can't be dismissed that easily. The film raises important questions, and include great interviews, some of which I found surprising. My favorite interview subject was Marilyn Manson who gave a very intelligent interview, and who was the prime target after the Columbine High School Massacre. There are some aspects of the film that I didn't like, for example when Moore attempted to interview Charlton Heston, and Heston didn't want to answer and walked away, one thing that I thought that Moore shouldn't have done was to chase down Charlton Heston; he clearly didn't want to talk about the issue at hand. I felt it was kind of unnecessary to do that. I don't agree with what Charlton Heston did, but neither was Michael Moore in trying to get a reply. I don't think the way that Moore asked Heston about the issue was handled properly. Bowling for Columbine is a good documentary that raises important questions. If you enjoy a good documentary about important issues, then this is the one to see.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Exceptional. I have always followed the story about the 'Columbine Shootings' and to see the victims of it was so poignant and heart wrenching. Really great documentary from Michael Moore. Excellent!
  • blkbomb
    June 1, 2011
    blkbomb
    Bowling for Columbine is undoubtedly one of the best documentaries I have seen. A lot of people hate Michael Moore and that makes me love him all the more. He is a great documentary filmmaker and goes to great extents to make his movies. He addresses some important questions that... read more are well worth looking at and with Bowling for Columbine he addresses violence and gun use in America; using Columbine as the backdrop to Americas violence. He uses humor and irony a lot in this as well. At one point he has a man who runs a bomb producing plant talking about how he can't understand how two kids could be so violent. In the background is a huge bomb that says US Air Force. Although some of the movie does have humor and sarcasm, a great deal of it is very somber. It seems that Michael Moore genuinely cares about this problem and it's victims. What he does with a couple of the Columbine victims is really powerful and inspiring. Overall the film is very well made and makes you ask a lot of questions.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    September 11, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    Wow this was really good. I dont usually like documentaries because i find them boring but i loved this. I think Michael Moore is a great guy whos doing great things.This movie has a good message about viloence in the United States and in the whole world. This was a really great ... read moremovie. Michael Moore doesnt dissapoint. A-
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    As manic and funny as all Moore's movies, there is also the clear message. Whether you agree or disagree, his arguments are thought out and touching.
  • smith44
    February 5, 2010
    smith44
    A terrifying look at the gun control issue in the post Columbine masacre America becomes an indictment of American history, culture and way of life that allowed such a horrific event to take place.
  • fb733768972
    January 15, 2010
    fb733768972
    I usually don't like documentaries that often! However, this one was fantastic!
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    December 31, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Is America a nation of gun nuts? Or just nuts?"

    Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.

    REVIEW

    Documentary filmmaker/satirist extraordinaire Mich... read moreael Moore gives it his all in the search for the answer to why America's predilection for guns and violence goes hand in hand with corporate greed, political myopia and social dysfunction to the hilt with brilliant use of archival footage, a history of shame via a viciously smart cartoon, confrontational Mike Wallace-type journalism with NRA misfits and miscreants and the penultimate meeting with spokesperson Charlton Heston that gives new meaning to uncomfortable awkwardness. Moore's dogged determination to shame those who offer no insight to his quest only underscores just how wrong things have been in the US for some time and no matter what your political slant may be it's impossible to say that this is not an important film to see for yourself in what it means to be an agent provocateur. Hilarious and heartbreaking. One of the best and important documentaries

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
December 19, 2002
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

All in all, Mr. Moore has given us a lot to think about in Bowling for Columbine, and he has entertained us royally in the process. Full Review

Bob Longino
November 2, 2002
Bob Longino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Fascinating, thought-provoking, often fitfully funny and sometimes devastatingly sad. Full Review

Roger Moore
October 31, 2002
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

A worthy successor to Roger & Me.

Terry Lawson
October 26, 2002
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Bowling for Columbine would never be mistaken for even-handed, but it is at least a sincere attempt to find the source of this country's inability to curb gun violence and murder. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
October 26, 2002
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

A sweeping, sometimes insightful and often funny look at America's culture of violence.

Joe Baltake
October 25, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Gutsy, mandatory viewing. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
October 25, 2002
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

[Moore's] better at fingering problems than finding solutions. But though he only scratches the surface, at least he provides a strong itch to explore more. Full Review

Susan Stark
October 25, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

There is simply no doubt that this film asks the right questions at the right time in the history of our country.

Steven Rosen
October 25, 2002
Steven Rosen, Denver Post

At its best, which occurs often, Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine rekindles the muckraking, soul-searching spirit of the 'Are we a sick society?' journalism of the 1960s. Full Review

Chris Vognar
October 24, 2002
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Even those who would like to dismiss the film outright should find much to mull and debate. Full Review

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Bowling for Columbine Trivia

  • Marilyn Manson's was interviewed in this 2002 Documentary, what was the movie?  Answer »
  • Who directed both Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.   Answer »
  • Which movie has this tagline : " Are we a nation of gun nuts or are we just plain nuts? "  Answer »
  • What do these movies have in common? -Bowling for Columbine -Carrie -Elephant  Answer »
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