All the President's Men (1976)

As outdated as the flairs, haircuts and typewriters may be, the plot of ‘All the President’s Men’ is still resonant almost 40 years later. With the likes of ‘Hackgate’ and the government expense claims still occupying our own tabloids, William Goldman’s Oscar winning adaptation of the events leading to the ‘Watergate’ scandal is still as momentous as it was in 1976.

Conspiracy novelist and screenplay writer, William Goldberg aptly assumes the role of investigative journalist, while reproducing a frankly accurate representation of the revelations brought about by two dubious Washington Post journalists.

Once again, Dustin Hoffman teams up with Goldman, alongside the dashing Robert Redford to play Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, who are otherwise masquerading as the Starsky and Hutch of the news room. As stated during its release, ‘All the President’s Men’ is ‘The most devastating detective story of this century’. But for those of you who are expecting high octane car chases and explosive gun fights will be bitterly disappointed by this somewhat slow and considered political thriller.

                As the camera hangs precariously above Woodward and Bernstein, in the Library of Congress, credit must be given to the innovative work of the Director, Alan J. Pakula and the cinematography of Gordon Willis, who have encapsulated the web of lies and conspiracy that the daring duo have entangled themselves in.

                With 8 Academy Award Nominations and 3 wins, ‘All the President’s Men’ has committed itself to ‘following the money’ and going for gold in a conspiracy thriller that has ‘nothing riding on it, expect the first amendment of the Constitution, freedom of the press and maybe the future of this country’.