25 best election movies ever

The Ides of March (2011)

Political backstabbing goes backstage in this tensely constructed tale of life and lies on the campaign trail. George Clooney (who also penned the flick) is up against Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the ensuing power struggle. But who’s the Brutus?

Bobby (2006)

Brat packer Emilio Estevez writes and directs this big-hitting film exploring the final hours before Bobby Kennedy was shot in an LA hotel. An A-list ensemble cast will keep star spotters entertained, though the movie itself was met with mixed reviews.

The Iron Lady (2011)

The closest Britain’s had to a dictator in living memory was always going to be a hard sell to the moviegoing public, but this Thatcher biopic was skilfully played by director Phyllida Lloyd, who depicts the former PM as a delusional old woman struggling to get through life after the death of her husband, the brilliantly down-to-earth Denis. Meryl Streep astounds throughout.

W. (2008)

Oliver Stone took the wheel of this George W. Bush biopic, following the Texan voted least likely to become president on his journey to, well, the presidency. It’s the poor cousin of Stone’s previous political outings (JFK and Nixon), but still well worth a spin in the Blu-ray drive.

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970)

Peter Cook teamed up with John Cleese and Graham Chapman for this biting satire of British politics. The titular Rimmer – played by Cook – materialises from nowhere, works his way to the top of an advertising agency and enters Parliament, using any means to advance his career. Rather unjustly overlooked, the film's depiction of spin and personality taking precedence over policies now looks eerily prescient.