All the President’s Men wasted no time covering the 1972-1974 Watergate Scandal. It’s the quintessential 70’s political thriller that has nothing to do with All the King’s Men. 1976 was another tricky Best Picture race that saw All the President’s Men go up against Taxi Driver, Network, and eventual winner Rocky. Some say All the President’s Men should’ve won, but I tend to root for the underdog. The film did win Best Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction, and Sound. All the President’s Men was adapted from the non-fiction book of the same name that Robert Redford picked up immediately.
Alan J. Pakula was chosen to direct and Redford played one of the two Washington Post reporters responsible for getting the scoop on Watergate. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are practically synonymous with journalism. I won’t act like I fully understand all the politics, technical terms, or methods that went into a story like this, but all I know is that I was fully invested. Performances are top-notch and the paranoia fueled tension is palpable. Redford plays Woodard with journalistic integrity. Dustin Hoffman plays Bernstein as high-strung, but capable.
Together they report on the initial burglary, seek out uncooperative sources, face cover ups, and deal with the fact that their lives might be in danger. Their most famous informant who tells them to “Follow the Money” is the mysterious “Deep Throat” played in the shadows by Hal Holbrook. “Deep Throat” has been parodied so many times throughout the years. The cast is particularly stacked with Ned Beatty making another significant cameo the same year as Network. Only Jason Robards managed to win for playing the hotheaded head of The Washington Post Ben Bradlee. While Jane Alexander was nominated for playing the hesitant Bookkeeper. Richard Nixon is only ever seen on TV. All the President’s Men is an effective portrayal of the power of free press.

Bob Woodward (right) and Carl Bernstein (left) work on their story