Cinema Revisited: All The President's Men (1976)

Directed by Alan J. Pakula. Cast: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards. Released April 9, 1976. Running time: 138 minutes.

This film is now timely history in its dealing with the Watergate scandal that brought down the Presidency of Richard Nixon. There are parallels to the Ukraine scandal and President Trump, with another layer added regarding the comparison-contrast between investigative methods in the 1970s vs. now during a far more advanced technological era.

The cinematic adaption of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward's story makes for a compelling political thriller even had it been mere fiction. The film is loaded with two of the biggest stars of the era - Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman -- and rounded out with top drawer character actors, all of whom were welcome veterans in any movie.

As one explores the marvelous cinema during decade of the 1970s, one is met with a strong dollop of nostalgia. It was decided at the time that the current era was so unsettling, a hark back to the good old days was more comforting. So, even movies dealing with the height of the Depression ("Paper Moon") did so in a light comic manner, while the old styles of film noir ("The Long Goodbye") and screwball comedy ("What's Up Doc") were also utilized. "All The President's Men" is very much about the 70s, confronting the very elements that unsettled the culture into embracing a rosily redefined past. And it is as entertaining as it is unsettling.

Now, in retrospect, it makes us uncomfortable by realizing we haven't come too far from the events depicted in the movie. Corruptions, coverups, and crimes continue to be very much a part of the American political climate.

Director Pakula was, by this time, a formidable presence in cinema, with successes like "Klute," and "The Parallax View," two similar political thrillers that seem to culminate with this movie, although a trilogy wasn't likely intended. He would later direct the film that defines his career, "Sophie's Choice." Had he not been killed in a car accident in 1998, he likely would have offered more (his final film was "The Devil's Own").

"All The President's Men" is not only a great movie, it has become a pretty interesting cultural artifact in depicting so many archaic elements of investigative journalism -- the dialing of phones, the clickety-clack of typewriters, felt pens and legal pads, editors with offices surrounded by shelves of books and including desks that are messy with papers, and the careful respect for the written word. As the two reporters gradually gather their information, they take us on their journey, and we learn more at the same pace.

Casting Redford and Hoffman in the roles smacks of stunt casting -- hiring popular attractive superstars to play real people in a serious story. But, of course, their work has lived on as among the best actors of their time (Hoffman remains active, Redford just recently retired). They make the characters appealing while never losing sight of the narrative importance. It was Robert Redford's idea to cast Hoffman, Redford having purchased the movie rights to Woodward and Bernstein's book for $450,000. The film was made for $1.5 million. It grossed over $70 million. "All The President's Men" is just good, solid cinema that holds up beautifully in the 21st century.