WarGames (HBO)

About WarGames (HBO)

A 1983 American Cold War science fiction film, WarGames, features a tech-savvy teenager who inadvertently triggers a dangerous situation worldwide. The film is directed by John Badham, with Peter Schwartz handling screenwriting duties along with Lawrence Lasker and Walon Green.

The main narrative unfolds as the protagonist, David Lightman, accidentally connects with a United States military supercomputer while hacking. Unaware it's not a game, he initiates a countdown to World War III. The film explores themes of artificial intelligence, nuclear war, and the need for peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Making / Production

The production of WarGames began in 1982, under the direction of John Badham. The script for the film was written by Peter Schwartz, Lawrence Lasker, and Walon Green. Filming took place in various locations including Grand Coulee Dam, Washington, Los Angeles, and Colorado's NORAD Headquarters.

Actors

• Matthew Broderick as David Lightman: A young, curious hacker who played the role with a mix of innocence and intelligence.
• Dabney Coleman as Dr. John McKittrick: He portrays a logical scientist who played his character with authoritative presence.
• Ally Sheedy as Jennifer Mack: She played the role of David's supportive girlfriend with a great sense of loyalty and determination.
• John Wood as Dr. Stephen Falken: Played the role of the war-weary designer of the supercomputer with subtleness and depth.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was instrumental in the creation of an anti-hacking law - the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, passed in 1986.
• The 'Global Thermonuclear War' game in the film does not exist in reality.
• John Badham, the movie's director, had the knobs taken off the arcade games on set to prevent crew members from playing and causing distractions during filming.

Awards

The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction.

Quotes

• "Shall we play a game?" -WOPR (the computer)
• "Goddammit, I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it'd do any good!" -General Beringer
• "Mr. McKittrick, after very careful consideration, sir, I've come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks." -David Lightman

Music, Soundtrack

• The film features a synth-heavy score by Arthur B. Rubinstein.
• 'Video Fever' and 'History Lesson' by The Beepers are played in the film's arcade scenes.
• The soundtrack for WarGames was released on vinyl and cassette in 1983, and later on CD in 2008.