A young upstart gets a hard lesson in the world of dirty politics in George Clooney’s fourth directorial feature, The Ides of March. According to actress Evan Rachel Wood, Clooney encouraged the cast to watch campaign documentaries like Journeys With George, which details George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign,  and The War Rooms, which details Bill Clinton’s 1993 presidential campaign, for an inside look at what it takes to get a candidate elected.

In honour of the “homework” that Clooney gave to his cast, we decided to put together our own top 5 list of films that are full of political campaigning intrigue (or in the case of Il Divo and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, full of insight into what it takes to remain in power). The Ides of March begins here today. Book your tickets now.

All The King’s Men:

Primary Colors:

Milk:

Il Divo:

Mr Smith Goes To Washington:

Though it’s a TV Show, we just had to add one bonus selection….The West Wing: