All The President’s Men (1976) Review
** SPOILERS ** ALL RIGHTS TO RESPECTIVE OWNERS **
Yes, this was the 1970’s. But this was some shit. The opening shot is so original. I really like it. You never see opening shots like this anymore.
The fictionalized archive footage has a been a staple in movies based on real stories ever since.
Cinematography plays just as much a part in this film as any part. The cinematography is so rich. The ideas behind it are so rich.
It always kills me when all of the burglars come up from the dark in the opening sequence. All these guys in this tiny space. Hehehe!
“I have nothing more to say,” says Mr. Markham, but he keeps talking. Hehehe.
Turns out the number wasn’t changed. 456-1414. No area code!
I learned how to intervene in a conversation from this film in a socially acceptable manner. Same as talking to people.
“They aren’t here right now/just now.”
“Do you know when they’ll be back?”
The panning out shot of Woodstein at the library of Congress is so good. It demonstrates the scope of their story.
I like the phone call/NYT letter/Red flag sequence. Why? This is how journalists have had to, and still have to, communicate with whistleblowers. Nowadays it’s easier. But still…. You hear about events today, and know about the American Deep State, turns out not much has changed since 1970 something.
Deep Throat proves a good point. “I’ll keep you in the right direction if I can.” Apparently, there’s shit only Deep Throat knew.
Ben Bradlee. Seemingly a wonderful man, a truly good man. I don’t know what to think about him. I used to like him, til I found out he contributed to the Rosenberg death propaganda. Supposedly, he was ex-CIA. Was he trying to genuinely help his people, or was he part of Operation Paperclip?
Donald Segretti interview used to creep me out cause of his smile. He outlines how at USC (of all places), they basically practiced their methods. Propaganda campaign, false letters, forged docs, all sabotage .
Hehe. It’s funny when Woodward thinks he’s being followed. I’ve done that to myself countless times.
“Wife and a family and a dog and a cat.” HAHAHAH! He’s totally trolling Ken Clawson.
"Being set up" is such great writing!
My favorite quote in the entire movie. “Take a nice hot bath, rest up, 15 minutes, then get your asses back in gear.”
HeheheheHehe. The six hour coffee lady. “If you guys could get John Mitchell, that would be beautiful!”
I said that about Cheney and Sy Hersh's original book concept.
Supposedly, during the 6 hour coffee lady interview, Bernstein had 20 cups of coffee. HaahaHa! I always like how excited he gets.
The guy who issues a non-denial denial looks like Bill Kristol a bit.
When Woodstein talks to Hugh Sloan the first time, Woodward says,” I am a Republican too.”
And Bernstein just looks at him like,"WTF??”
Watergate in itself was a big deal. But it was one tiny event in the policy of COINTELPRO.
John Mitchell talking to Carl was funny. Hehahahaha! He’s clearly been asleep.
“I screwed up, but I wasn’t wrong.” A valuable lesson provided by Jason Robards.
There’s reference to COINTELPRO, but for some reason, we missed it as a population. Infiltrating protests, sabotaging them, and screwing the opposition. All ok in today’s world. Turns out Nixon and Hoover were ahead of their time.And it still goes on!
Watergate today is only known by the break in, nothing more. Nixon’s “plumbers” got caught.
All in all, a fantastic movie, considering the subject is usually a dry one to people. Nowadays, all references of COINTELPRO would be completely erased from the film. The cinematography, the writing, the situations, all work so well together! $13.50 USD/ $13.50 USD.