All The President's Men (1976)

Based on the Watergate Scandal during the 1970’s, this detective story follows two journalists working for the Washington Post, who attempt to unravel and reveal one of the biggest political indignities of the 20th century. The film is set during Nixon’s time in the White House, alongside the backdrop of the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward (Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford respectively) are two young and “hungry” writers, working on a story about five men arrested at the Watergate Hotel, who were found bugging a political camp’s room with recording devices. As the two journalists investigate, more and more discoveries are made, leading them up a dangerous path to the top of American politics. Few films manage to create as much drama and intrigue without resorting to violent methods, as this film. The movie is basically a complete research film, with the two leads tracking down any kind of substance to back up their theories, journeying to interview reluctant witnesses, or being stonewalled by political offices. Little in the way of “action” actually happens, but the entertainment value is still evident. This film survives on good old fashion mystery. Also, the two main performances carry a lot of weight, creating vivid, interesting characters, whose journey through the dirty waters of American politics becomes the central theme of the movie. Director Alan Pakula chooses some excellent overhead shots of Washington, where we see our two boys travel the streets, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere, and the use of Deep Throat in a darkened parking lot is arguably the most compelling aspect of the film. A little long at over two hours, and the sound editing shows its age with several of Hoffman’s lines being lost to bad recording, but the gold of this movie shines through for anyone interested in the era, or the story.