All the President's Men (DVD, 1998)

All the President's Men chronicles how the work of reporters Bob
Woodward played by Robert Redford (The Last Castle, Spy Game, The
Horse Whisperer, Sneakers, etc) and Carl Bernstein played by Dustin
Hoffman ( Hook, Outbreak, Tootsie, Finding Neverland, etc) contributed
to the public downfall of President Richard M. Nixon. The duo connected
a Washington D.C. hotel break-in (Watergate Hotel) with a Nixon 'dirty
tricks' team assigned to discredit Democratic rivals, launching a
series of tense events that eventually forced Nixon to resign. The
director here, Alan J. Pakula ( Pelican Brief, Presumed Innocent,
Sophie's Choice, etc) has had many political thrillers and does another
outstanding job here. If you are into drama or political suspense then
you will find that this movie will give you a good nights entertainment.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does recognize powerful drama, in danger, truth, corruption, history, and public exposure of deceit in the highest of places, including the Oval Office itself. Redford and Hoffman are consummate thespians who delivered a marvelous performance. They had a terrific script, knew their parts ans what they needed to say and do to move the story forward and simply told one of the most important, intimidating, and significant stories in our Nations history. America's democracy and our Constitution was in question with our Civil Liberties hanging in the balance. America then as now with this President needs to remember that a Chief Executive in our Western Democracy is not royalty but and elected public official and the prinicpal First Citizen, ideally a dignified example of a free leader of a free world and never above or beyond the law. Americans would do better to remember Founding Father Benjamin Franklin's words that, "Power Corrupts, and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely." History is repeating itself before our eyes on the news and A statement Einstein made once which I will paraphrase as best I remember it, would also apply here (The definition of insanity is doing the same thing multiple times and expecting a different result.) Maybe George W. Bush will like Richard M. Nixon may leave a legacy that Today's Journalists are still Patriots, Seekers of Truth, Trustworthy, Integral to the Success of Democracy, and ultimately embody the very Heroic icons that Woordward and Bernstein Symbolize. The American People need reminding that our government rules by consent of the governed. Two journalists in 1972-73 can listen to trusted sources, gather the facts as they know it from other corraborating sources, report the story accurately, and on time. They informed voters about the kinds of High Crimes and Misdemeanors the Constitution says are necessary to impeach. Today as then, hard-nosed reporters can still bring an adminstration crumbling to its knees.

A dark movie with a compelling story about journalism's finest moments, when dilligent reporters brought down a corrupt government. It is amazing to see all the President's men (and woman) fall in line and tell all to Bernstein and Woodward. I would like to think most of them were disgusted with what was going on and were relieved to have an opportunity to disclose it. I think it is a shame that it took so long for the public to react. It shows how easy it was for George W Bush to do what he did because most people don't care what the government is doing as long as it doesn't disturb their own little world. An excellent movie that should be a regular part if the curriculum in public schools.

The video sound seems a little messed up. There was def. something wrong with the volume on this DVD.

This was just as expected. My fiancee used it for his classroom. I cannot wait to see it for myself because he talks about it all the time.