Tanner '88: The Criterion Collection DVD

Tanner '88 from The Criterion Collection is a DVD of Robert Altman's political television satire, following fictional candidate Jack Tanner through the 1988 campaign. Its reported 5 hours and 53 minutes of runtime suits viewers looking for the full series, while the DVD format is standard-definition rather than a high-definition edition.

At a glance

A political satire conceived by Robert Altman and Garry Trudeau, set during the 1988 presidential primaries.
Fictional candidate Jack Tanner appears alongside real-life political figures and journalists, according to the listing.
Single-disc DVD with English audio and English subtitles.

Price

$14.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$29.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Often bought together

Secret Honor (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

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Short Cuts (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

$19.98

Pros and cons

Pros

The campaign-trail premise blends a fictional candidate with real political figures, an unusual format for viewers interested in political satire.
A 5-hour-53-minute runtime provides an extended viewing option for the series.

Cons

This is a full-screen NTSC DVD, not a high-definition release.
The listing specifies Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio.

Technical specifications

14 specifications

Disc and video
Format	Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, Multiple Formats, NTSC
Aspect ratio	1.33:1
Number of discs	1
Release date	October 5, 2004

Audio and language
Language and audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles	English

Program
Genre	Comedy/Television, Television
Runtime	5 hours and 53 minutes
Director	Robert Altman
Cast	Daniel Jenkins, Ilana Levine, Matt Malloy, Michael Murphy, Pamela Reed
Rating	NR (Not Rated)

Dimensions and identification
Dimensions and weight	7.44 x 5.28 x 0.58 inches; 6.08 ounces
Model number	2225199
Studio	Criterion Collection

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The description gives the runtime as 353 minutes, while the details list 5 hours and 53 minutes. These are inconsistent listing values, so confirm the edition's runtime if precision matters. The listing also uses both "Full Screen" and a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which are not necessarily contradictory, and identifies multiple formats while the title specifies DVD.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers seeking Robert Altman's political satire and its fictional-candidate-meets-real-campaign setup.
Collectors who want the Criterion Collection DVD edition and are content with standard-definition, full-screen presentation.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a Blu-ray, 4K, or widescreen presentation.
Viewers looking for a short film rather than a program listed at nearly six hours.

Tanner '88: The Criterion Collection DVD · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.3 / 5 · 34 ratings

5 stars70%70%
4 stars11%11%
3 stars7%7%
2 stars6%6%
1 star6%6%

Customer feedback praises the movie's quality, including one description of it as a mockumentary masterpiece, while durability and whether it has aged well receive mixed remarks. For viewers drawn to Altman's campaign satire, the favorable comments speak to the film itself, but the mixed aging response is worth bearing in mind. The aggregate ratings are generally favorable but do not explain individual reasons for opinions.

Positive themes

Customers praise the movie's quality.

Mixed feedback

Feedback is mixed on durability, with some customers saying the work has not aged well.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tanner '88 about?

The listing describes a political satire following fictional candidate Jack Tanner during the 1988 presidential campaign, among real candidates and political figures.

How long is this DVD?

The details state 5 hours and 53 minutes, while the description says 353 minutes. Those values differ slightly, so consult the listing or packaging if exact runtime is important.

Does this edition include subtitles?

The listing specifies English subtitles and English-language audio.

Is this a high-definition edition?

No high-definition format is identified. The listing describes a full-screen NTSC DVD.