Actors: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook, Jack Warden
Review Summary and Plot Commentary about All the President's Men
In June of 1972, a security guard discovers a break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington's Watergate Hotel. Supported by managing editor Ben Bradlee (Robards in an Oscar-winning performance) and fed background info by the mysterious government employee they call "Deep Throat" (Holbrook), young investigative Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein pursue the story. This 1976 film, based on the two reporters' book of the same name and chronicling a true story that occurred not four years before, is a classic political thriller. Even with an ending that's a foregone conclusion, it manages an impressive level of tension and suspense. Redford and Hoffman make a terrific team. Jane Alexander shines in a small role as a terrified bookkeeper who helps reveal the truth, and Meredith Baxter, Ned Beatty, and F. Murray Abraham may also be glimpsed among the cast. Frank Wills, the actual security guard who discovered the breakin, does a cameo as himself. The opening and the conclusion are especially sharp. The movie also won Oscars for Best Sound, Best Art Direction (that $450,000 replica of the Post newsroom), and Best Writing based on another medium (the great William Goldman).
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
After a break-in occurs at the Democratic Party's National Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein begin to investigate possible connections to the Nixon campaign. As they continue their investigations, it becomes clear that the conspiracy goes to the highest levels of the Republican Party.
--Ari Rosner, Resident Scholar
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Analysis of All the President's Men
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie Actual chase scenes or violence - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 75% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 15%
Time/Era of Movie:
- 1960's-1970's
Legal/Political Thriller?
Yes
Political Plotlets:
- election campaign
- President abusing power
- govt officials abusing power
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- journalist
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair style
- short/standard straight (man)
Body type
- average (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- aggressive
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard curly
Body type
- average build (man)
How much in movie?
- 80%
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
- Jewish
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 60's-90's
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
Eccentric:
Yes
- deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Genius
Physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
City?
Yes
City:
- Washington D.C.
Misc setting
- building
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
Movie makes you feel...
- challenged
- concerned
How many deaths in film?
- 0 (not a murder mystery)
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 1 (None)
Any profanity?
- Some foul language
Is this movie based on a
- book
