Synopsis
High school student David Lightman has a talent for hacking. But while trying to hack into a computer system to play unreleased video games, he unwittingly taps into the Department of Defense's war computer and initiates a confrontation of global proportions. Together with his friend and a wizardly computer genius, David must race against time to outwit his opponent and prevent a nuclear Armageddon.
WarGames (1983) is a 1h 54min thriller feature film by John Badham. High school student David Lightman has a talent for hacking.
Key facts
Cast
Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, John Wood, Ally Sheedy, Barry Corbin, Juanin Clay, Kent Williams, Dennis Lipscomb
Original language
English
First release
June 3, 1983 (United States)
Production companies
United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Home video distributors
CBS/Fox Video (United States)
Setting
Colorado, Washington, Seattle, Oregon, Cheyenne Mountain Complex
Filming locations
Long Beach, Colorado
Crew
Screenplay
Lawrence Lasker, Walter F. Parkes
Producer
Harold Schneider, Richard Hashimoto
Cinematography
William A. Fraker
Editing
Tom Rolf
Music
Arthur B. Rubinstein
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- OffScreen Film Festival 2019 - GAME ON!
- Hugo Awards 1984 generic - Best Dramatic Presentation
Titles
| Original title | WarGames | English |
| Québec French title | Jeux de guerre |
VHS & home video releases
| VHS | CBS/Fox Video (cat. no. 4714) | 1984, United States, slipcase |
Soundtracks
| Vinyl LP | Wargames (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Arthur B. Rubinstein, Joe Tuley (1983) | 9 releases, 1983: Polydor |
| CD | Wargames (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Arthur B. Rubinstein, Joe Tuley (1983) | 4 releases, 2008-2020: Intrada, Quartet Records |
| Cassette | Wargames (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Arthur B. Rubinstein, Joe Tuley (1983) | 2 releases, 1983: Polydor |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | United States | June 3, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Argentina | July 7, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Australia | August 4, 1983 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | August 18, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Spain | September 5, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Germany | October 6, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | October 7, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Italy | October 7, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | October 21, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Italy | October 28, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Finland | November 4, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | December 9, 1983 |
| Theatrical | France | December 14, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Belgium | December 15, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Mexico | December 15, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | December 15, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Hong Kong | December 22, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Japan | December 24, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | January 9, 1984 |
| Theatrical | Norway | January 13, 1984 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | March 1, 1984 |
| Theatrical | Peru | March 8, 1984 |
| Theatrical | Colombia | April 5, 1984 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | January 5, 1989 |
| Television | Greece | July 8, 1990 |
| Theatrical | United States | July 24, 2008 |
| Theatrical | France | February 22, 2019 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | PG |
| Classification | United States | PG |
Versions & editions
| Original version (English) | ||
| Home video VHS | United States | 1984 4714 |
| Home video | United States | July 23, 1996 |
| Home video | Sweden | April 24, 2002 |
| Home video | Canada | April 1, 2003 |
| Home video | Israel | December 7, 2012 |
| Home video | United Arab Emirates | January 7, 2013 |
| Home video | Poland | May 5, 2015 |
| Home video | Singapore | April 11, 2021 |
| Home video | Egypt | May 8, 2021 |
Full credits
| Director | John Badham |
| Cast | Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman (McKittrick), John Wood (Stephen Falken), Ally Sheedy (Jennifer), Barry Corbin (General Beringer), Juanin Clay (Pat Healy), Kent Williams (Cabot), Dennis Lipscomb (Watson), Joe Dorsey (Conley), Irving Metzman (Richter), Michael Ensign (Beringer's Aide), William Bogert (Mr. Lightman), Susan Davis (Mrs. Lightman), James Tolkan (Wigan), David Clover (Stockman), Drew Snyder (Ayers), John Garber (Corporal in the Infirmary), Duncan Wilmore (Major Lem), Billy Ray Sharkey (Radar Analyst), John Spencer (Jerry), Michael Madsen (Steve), James Lemp (Commander), Gary Bisig (Deputy), Gary Sexton (Technician), Jason Bernard (Captain Knewt), Frankie Hill (Airman Fields), Jesse D. Goins (Sergeant), Alan Blumenfeld (Mr. Liggett), Len Lawson (Boys Vice Principal), Maury Chaykin (Jim Sting), Eddie Deezen (Malvin), Stephen Lee (Sgt. Schneider), Lucinda Crosby (Nurse in Infirmary), Stack Pierce (Airman), Art LaFleur (Guard), Brad David (Flight Pilot Leader), Martha Shaw (Vice Principal's Secretary), Howie Allen (Boy in Arcade), Michael Adams (Travis), James Ackerman (Joshua), Jim Harriott (Newscaster), Tom Lawrence (Sgt. Sims), Frances E. Nealy (Visitor), Charles Akins (Major Ford), Glenn Standifer (Major Wenstin), Edward Jahnke (NORAD Officer), Paul V. Picerni Jr. (Technician), William H. Macy (NORAD Officer (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Lawrence Lasker, Walter F. Parkes |
| Producer | Harold Schneider, Richard Hashimoto |
| Executive producer | Leonard Goldberg |
| Cinematography | William A. Fraker |
| Editing | Tom Rolf |
| Music | Arthur B. Rubinstein |
| Production design | Angelo P. Graham |
| Visual effects | Michael L. Fink |
| Costumes | Barry Delaney |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
