45 Years Later: All the President's Men

Director: Alan J. Pakula
Starring: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden
Running time: 138 minutes

In 1972, a minor break-in at the Democrat headquarters in the Watergate Hotel sparked an investigation by two reporters working for the Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Through their tireless efforts, the break-in was proven to be an attempt by President Nixon to eavesdrop on his opposition. His reputation in tatters and facing impeachment, Nixon resigned in 1974, becoming the first President to ever do so. 

Inspired by Woodstein’s account of their investigation, All the President’s Men begins as Woodward (Robert Redford) is sent as a fledgling reporter to cover the trial of the five men caught breaking into the hotel. Reluctantly, Bernstein (a brilliantly grouchy Dustin Hoffman) joins him in his coverage. The investigation soon turns impossibly complex, becoming an all-consuming obsession. 

Their editor, Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards) urges them to dig deeper. They know that if they’re wrong, it’ll sink the paper — but if they’re right, it could sink the President. It was Robards who won an Oscar for his role, but so much of the film’s charm rests on the gruff camaraderie between Redford and Hoffman. 

All the President’s Men is a near-perfect example of how to adapt a political story. Its mysterious noir vibe has made it a timeless thriller, and a great first-time watch. The story was thoroughly researched and sets meticulously recreated, with production going $3.5-million over budget.

Pakula struck a perfect balance between entertainment and authenticity. Having found mainstream success with thrillers Klute (1971) and The Parallax View (1974), he was able to transform what could easily be a boring history lecture into a tense mystery, full of shaky alliances and treachery. 

Split diopters keep everything in striking focus and every detail is vigilantly captured. Scenes of Nixon’s re-election on television are paired with the duo thunderously hammering away on their typewriters, each keystroke like a nail in the coffin. The film was shot by cinematographer Gordon Willis, who had received international acclaim for his work on The Godfather films. 

All the President’s Men carries the same power today as it did 45 years ago. As political scandal seems to be redefined almost weekly, Pakula’s magnum opus reminds us that hope is never lost, that odds are never insurmountable. It is one of those rare films that, as time goes on, it becomes only more relevant. 

Did you know? The film originally received an R-rating in the States due to its bad language but was re-rated 'PG' because of the film's historically significant subject matter. It was also the first film that Jimmy Carter, the President who succeeded Nixon's replacement, Gerald Ford, watched as part of his tenure in the White House.