The Insider

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2:30

The Insider

R

1999

2h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

135 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After seeking the expertise of former "Big Tobacco" executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), seasoned TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) suspects a story lies behind Wigand's reluctance to speak. As Bergman persuades Wigand to share his knowledge of industry secrets, the two must contend with the courts and the corporations that stand between them and exposing the truth. All the while, Wigand must struggle to maintain his family life amidst lawsuits and death threats.

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Critics Consensus

Intelligent, compelling, and packed with strong performances, The Insider is a potent corporate thriller.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Superbly shot and edited and boasting impeccable recreations of the 60 Minutes broadcast in which Wigand went public, The Insider matches Heat's intensity while raising the stakes.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Powerfully and elegantly, The Insider reveals a chilling reality: how hard it is to tell a simple truth when big business doesn't want it told.

Mar 6, 2018

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... the movie goes on a nail biting tear...

Rated: A-

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

As a piece of entertainment, it works amazingly well -- the story never drags and it seems to get a little more interesting with every scene.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 27, 2023

Full Review

Ray Pride

Newcity

In a century of obscene compromise, The Insider stands as a titanic moral enterprise... through image and sound and reserved yet deliquescent performance, captures men's wills. It's Heat, hushed.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 11, 2021

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Pacino and Crowe, powerful performers in their own, singular right, make for an extremely dynamic duo in this absolutely riveting, intricately plotted true account of a jaw-dropper case from a few years back.

Sep 3, 2020

Full Review

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Tyler S

I'll definitely need to give this another watch, but first time through, I enjoyed this a lot. Pacino and Crowe's performances definitely stand out here.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

Full Review

Geo3 F

This feels more of a documentary at times that an actual film. It is very slow pace so it’s not very easy on the eye however, one thing that I did like was the performances of Russell Crowe and Al Pacino they were fantastic. They carried this film aside from that is very informative however, because of the pace it’s hard to keep focus. I suggest maybe a break within half of the movie to not start falling asleep. Overall. A decent one time watch film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/12/25

Full Review

Omega A

Egregious understanding of legal principles and procedures. Obvious lack of research.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

Full Review

Shorty M

I saw this movie on You tube and was captivated the whole time. The acting was superb from Russell Crow and Al Pacino. It amazed me at how this movie is right in step with what happened with Trump suing 60 minutes because he did not like their interview with Kamala Harris. In this movie Al Pacino warned the head of CBS that this was a bad deal and one from which CBS might not ever recover. True story. So my praises go out to the ladies and gentlemen who put their lives on...hold...to make this movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

Full Review

Amber M

What I didn't expect was an intelligently absorbing entertainment that ran for two hours and 40 minutes, during which I didn't once look at my watch -- just about the highest praise I can bestow upon a film these days.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

The most underrated Michael Mann film that you will ever see that is based on a true story of a whistleblower that took on big tobacco and how it nearly cost him everything. This film is also about the risks whistleblowers take, the death of newspapers representations, and the power of the powerful American corporations.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

Full Review

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Michael Mann

Director

Al Pacino

Lowell Bergman

Russell Crowe

Jeffrey Wigand

Christopher Plummer

Mike Wallace

Diane Venora

Liane Wigand

Philip Baker Hall

Don Hewitt

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The Insider: Trailer 1

2:30

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Synopsis

After seeking the expertise of former "Big Tobacco" executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), seasoned TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) suspects a story lies behind Wigand's reluctance to speak. As Bergman persuades Wigand to share his knowledge of industry secrets, the two must contend with the courts and the corporations that stand between them and exposing the truth. All the while, Wigand must struggle to maintain his family life amidst lawsuits and death threats.

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: Michael Mann, Pieter Jan Brugge
Screenwriter: Eric Roth, Michael Mann
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista (Walt Disney)
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 5, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.0M
Runtime: 2h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround

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