Super Size Me (2004)

Director:

Morgan Spurlock

Writer:

Morgan Spurlock (written by)

Release Date:

21 May 2004 (Canada)

Genre:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A film of epic portions.

Plot:

While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.

Plot Keywords:

Fast Food | Obesity | Food Industry | School | Meal

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Morgan Spurlock	...	Himself
Daryl Isaacs	...	Himself (as Daryl M. Isaacs MD Internal Medicine)
Lisa Ganjhu	...	Herself (as Lisa Ganjhu D.O. Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist)
Stephen Siegel	...	Himself (as Steven Siegel MD FACC Cardiologist)
Bridget Bennett	...	Herself (as Bridget Bennett R.D.)
Eric Rowley	...	Himself, exercise physiologist
Mark Fenton	...	Himself, former editor, Walking
Alexandra Jamieson	...	Herself - Morgan's Girlfriend (as Healthy Chef Alex)
John Banzhaf	...	Himself - lawyer (as John F. Banzhaf III)
David Satcher	...	Himself - former Health Minister (as Dr. David Satcher)
Lisa Young	...	Herself - nutrition professor (as Dr. Lisa Young)
Kelly Brownell	...	Himself
Jacob Sullum	...	Himself - journalist
Tommy Thompson	...	Himself - US Secretary of Health
William J. Klish	...	Himself - medicine doctor (as William Klish)
Jared Fogle	...	Himself - spokesman for Subway
John Robbins	...	Himself - journalist and writer
Don Gorske	...	Himself - hearty eater of big macs
Mary Gorske	...	Herself - Don's wife
Ron English	...	Himself - painter
Margo Wootan	...	Herself (as Dr. Margo Wootan)
Marion Nestle	...	Herself
Barbara Brown	...	Herself - SODEXHO executive
Kay Glover	...	Herself, head cook
Greg Bretthauer	...	Himself, dean
Debra Larson	...	Herself, school social worker
Paul Stitt	...	Himself (voice)
Marlene Canter	...	Herself
Gene Grabowski	...	Himself - GMA deputy CEO
Phil Lawler	...	Himself, phys ed instructor
Brian Philips	...	Himself - physical training instructor
Gerald N. Tirozzi	...	Himself
Neal Barnard	...	Himself
Catherine Schilcher	...	Herself, nutritionist (voice)
Bruce Howlett	...	Himself - fat patient
Adam Naaman	...	Himself
Carl Geisler	...	Himself - surgeon
Lisa Howard	...	Herself, McDonald's spokesman (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mary Bollino	...	Herself - Naperville High School restaurant supervisor
Caitlin	...	Herself - waitress for McDonald's
Samuel Hirsch	...	Himself - lawyer
Tammy Howlett	...	Bruce's wife
Michael Jordan	...	Himself (archive footage)
Ronald McDonald	...	Himself (archive footage)
Ashley Sandy	...	Herself
Kacie Sandy	...	Herself
Laura Sandy	...	Herself
Kymme Simchak	...	Herself
Britney Spears	...	Herself (archive footage)

Directed by
Morgan Spurlock

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Morgan Spurlock		written by

Produced by
Joe Morley	....	executive producer
Dave Pederson	....	associate producer
David Pederson	....	associate producer
Morgan Spurlock	....	producer
Heather M. Winters	....	executive producer

Cinematography by
Scott Ambrozy		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Stela Georgieva
Julie Bob Lombardi

Art Direction by
Joe the Artist

Production Management
Michael Jackman	....	post-production supervisor
Stuart Macphee	....	post-production supervisor

Art Department
Ron English	....	McPaintings

Sound Department
Martin Czembor	....	sound engineer
Hans ten Broeke	....	sound designer

Visual Effects by
Robert Luttrell	....	digital film transfer supervisor
Jonah Tobias	....	digital artist

Camera and Electrical Department
Tracy Boulian	....	camera operator
Avi Gerver	....	camera operator
Julie Bob Lombardi	....	additional video footage
Julie Soefer	....	camera operator
Morgan Spurlock	....	additional video footage

Animation Department
Svilen Dimitrov	....	animator
George Georgiev	....	animation liaison: US
Goran Kissiov	....	supervising animator
Nikolai Lukianov	....	animation project manager: Zographic
Paulina Merekiova	....	assistant project manager: Zographic
Kalin Stoyanov	....	animator
Ivailo Tonchev	....	animator
Svetoslav Tonchev	....	animator
Kiril Yanakiev	....	supervising animator
Kiril Yanakiev	....	technical director: Zographic

Editorial Department
Haven Cousins	....	colorist
Thomas Edmon	....	digital intermediate supervisor (as Tom Edmon)
Jim Finn	....	negative cutter
Gwen Fry	....	high definition transfer
Grant Goodman	....	assistant editor
Richard Haylock	....	on-line editor
Abbi Jutkowitz	....	assistant editor
Corey Lincoln	....	post-production assistant
Alexander Livingston	....	post-production assistant
Robert Luttrell	....	digital intermediate supervisor
Mick O'Conner	....	high definition transfer
Olivia Relova	....	assistant editor
Ben Vaughn	....	high definition transfer
Matt Woo	....	on-line editor

Music Department
Jim Black	....	music consultant
Folkfoot	....	composer: additional music

Other crew
Albert Bramante	....	research assistant
Sean Connell	....	creative consultant
Joseph De Vito	....	creative consultant
Winston Emano	....	publicist
David Magdael	....	publicist
Steven Wallace	....	publicist

Production Companies

• Kathbur Pictures
• Con, The
• Studio On Hudson (in association with)

Distributors

• Roadside Attractions (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Samuel Goldwyn Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Showtime Independent Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• A-Film Distribution (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• ABL Augusta (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Aerofilms (2006) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Bazuca Films (2005) (Chile) (theatrical)
• Bir Film (2004) (Turkey) (theatrical)
• Diaphana Films (France) (theatrical)
• Distribution Company (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• EDKO Film (2004) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Fandango (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Golden Village (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Monopole-Pathé (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Notro Films (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Prokino Filmverleih (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2004) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Solar Films (2004) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
• Arts Alliance (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• Hart Sharp Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Imagem Filmes (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Imagem Filmes (2005) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Klock Worx Company, The (2004) (Japan) (all media)
• Palisades Tartan (2009) (UK) (all media)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Phantom Film (2004) (Japan) (all media)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2005) (Finland) (VHS)
• Showtime Networks (USA) (TV)
• Sony Canada (2004) (Canada) (VHS)
• Sony U.K. Ltd. (2004) (UK) (VHS)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2007) (Finland) (TV) (TV2)

Special Effects

• PIXAN.com (digital effects)

Other Companies

• Devlin Video  high definition transfers (as Devlin Video International)
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Heavy Light Digital  digital intermediate and film transfer (as HeavyLight Digital)
• Kinkysweet Recordings  soundtrack
• LVT  subtitles: French version
• Red Cottage Productions  audio post-production
• Sound One  post-production sound facility
• Zographic Film  animation

Also Known As:

Malbouffe à l'américaine (Canada: French title) [fr]
Sisir beni (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Super Size Me (Spain) [es]
Super Size Me (Sweden) [sv]
Super Size Me (Poland) [pl]
Super Size Me (France) [fr]
Super Size Me - A Dieta do Palhaço (Brazil) [pt]
Super engórdame (Venezuela) [es]
Super size me: Super tamaño (Argentina) [es]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, sex and drug references, and a graphic medical procedure. (original version); Rated PG for thematic elements, a disturbing medical procedure, and some language. (educationally enhanced version)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Taiwan:PG-12 | Czech Republic:15 | Sweden:7 | Portugal:M/6 | Chile:14 | Iceland:L | Finland:K-3 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:PG | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | Norway:A | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2005) | USA:PG-13 (original rating) | USA:PG (educationally enhanced version)

Filming Locations:

Appleton, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

Kathbur Pictures

Trivia:

Morgan Spurlock gave up drinking alcohol six weeks before he attempted the diet in order to remove any presence of alcohol in his body.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Near the end, when Morgan Spurlock says, "Why not do away with your Super Size options?" the water condensation runs up the drink.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Children: A Pizza Hut! A Pizza Hut! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! A Pizza Hut! A Pizza Hut! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! McDonalds! McDonalds! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! McDonalds! McDonalds! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! I like food! I like food! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! You like food! You like food! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Pauw & Witteman: (#4.32)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Fat

McGurgle

Greetings again from the darkness. My daughter and I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this film since first reading about it months ago. Director (and lab rat) Morgan Spurlock takes on a fast food exclusive diet for 30 days and fills us in on the painful steps and sickening conclusion. Many have attacked Spurlock for picking on McDonalds or for not selecting the healthiest thing possible at every meal. These people are missing the point. He explains in the movie that McDonalds is the selection because they so dominate the fast food scene in the world and especially in Manhattan (where he lives). He also explains his meal selection by showing that most McDonalds orders include burgers and fries. Personally, I wondered more about his numerous milk shakes and parfaits. These seem to be the items that were a bit extreme.

For the most part, Spurlock does an excellent job proving that we eat too much fast food, that it is very harmful to our bodies, and that there is evil at work conditioning kids that fast food is real food. The most frightening part of the story was the school cafeteria segment showing how kids eat when parents are not around and when school administrators pay no attention. This is the crux of our problems. The Georgetown professor compared it to the early candy cigarettes that condition kids that cigarettes create happiness. The same can be said for fast food and its happy meals and playgrounds. I did not agree too much with the doctor's comparison of Spurlock to Nic Cage in "Leaving Las Vegas". Cage's character was trying to commit suicide, while Spurlock was running an experiment and even considered quitting when the doctors were begging him to. Overall, a nice documentary without the total disregard for decency and the truth shown by Michael Moore in most of his films. I believe this should be required viewing for all junior high and high school students, as well as all expecting parents. This could be an educational tool to convince people to put a little more effort into their health.