Tim Robbins stars in his directorial debut as right-wing folksinger Bob Roberts in this satirical mock documentary. Roberts is joined on the Pennsylvania senatorial campaign trail by a British documentary filmmaker who offers insight into Roberts, his staff, and his supporters. Roberts is the anti-Bob Dylan, wowing his supporters with tunes such as "Times Are Changin' Back" and "Wall Street Rap" (which includes a video send-up of Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues"). With his clean-cut good looks and squeaky-clean image, Roberts appears as American as apple pie. Yet, like most politicians, he harbors some nasty secrets, including potential involvement in illegal drug trafficking and bank scandals. And like most politicians, he is a master at manipulating the media. Roberts's political trickery turns serious when an innocent man is accused of attempting to assassinate the candidate. Some of Hollywood's best appear as news anchors and reporters, including Susan Sarandon, James Spader, Peter Gallagher, and Helen Hunt. Gore Vidal is immensely believable as the liberal incumbent trying to keep his Senate seat, battling Robbins, who is the consummate politician of the 1990s: lots of fluff and not much substance.

Right-wing folksinger and senatorial candidate Bob Roberts (Tim Robbins) wants your vote! Armed with his guitar and ultra-conservative ditties like "Times Are Changin' Back" and "Wall Street Rap," Roberts hits the campaign trail in this mock documentary. Seemingly upstanding and as American as apple pie, Roberts has his share of secrets and is a master at manipulating the media. An alleged assassination attempt turns into a lesson in scapegoating and trickery, as well as tragedy.

Tim Robbins made a short film sketch of the Bob Roberts character for Saturday Night Live before embarking on this project. BOB ROBERTS is his feature-length directorial debut.

The film was shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The film's songs that were sung by Bob Roberts were written by Tim and his brother David and produced and arranged by David.

Excerpt: "This is America. Virtue always prevails."--Sen. Buckley Paiste (Gore Vidal)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case - Sensormatic
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Tim Robbins - Director, Writer, Star
Additional Footage - 1. Never-Before-Seen Footage
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical
2. TV Spots
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Stills/Photos - 1. Gallery
Biographies - 1. Cast & Crew
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Tim Robbins: American Actor/Director, BOB ROBERTS (1992)
Alan Rickman: British Film/Stage Actor
Giancarlo Esposito: Actor
Ray Wise: American Supporting Actor
Gore Vidal: American Novelist/Screenwriter
Brian Murray: actor, BOB ROBERTS
Rebecca Jenkins: Supporting Actress
Harry J. Lennix: Actor/"Mo' Money"
John Ottavino: actor/BOB ROBERTS
Robert Stanton: Actor
Jack Black: Actor - NEVERENDING STORY III, HIGH FIDELITY
Bob Balaban: American Actor/Director
John Cusack: American actor, SAY ANYTHING/GROSSE POINT BLANK
Peter Gallagher: American Actor
Robert Hegyes: American Supporting Actor
Helen Hunt: American Actress
Pamela Reed: American Actress
James Spader: American actor, CRASH (1996)
Susan Sarandon: Oscar winning actress, DEAD MAN WALKING
Fred Ward: American Actor
Fisher Stevens: American Film/TV Actor
David Strathairn: American stage/film actor, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Kelly Willis: actress, BOB ROBERTS
Lynne Thigpen: "The Chief"--PBS's "Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego?"

Tim Robbins: American Actor/Director, BOB ROBERTS (1992)

Forrest Murray: 

Tim Robbins: American Actor/Director, BOB ROBERTS (1992)

David Robbins: Composer - Brother of Tim Robbins

Lisa Zeno Churgin: Editor, THE LAST KISS (2006)

"...A very funny, sometimes prescient satire of American politics....There's a big imagination at work here..."
"...A shrewd and scathingly funny piece of pointed political satire..."
"...[Robbins] uses his very attractiveness -- his open nature, his sunny smile -- to show the hazards of choosing political candidates on their ability to make us feel comfortable..."
"...The best political satire of the '90s..."