Average town reporter Jack Burden (John Ireland) is sent to cover a popular man running for office in a small town in a fictional state. The man is Willie Stark (Broderick Crawford), a so-called "hick."
Willie is sick of the way the government is running things and so he sets out to change the world. He is going start with mayor, and then governor. "Who knows?" he says, "Maybe even president... emperor of the world."
Yes, Willie's dreams are lofty, but still he runs... and looses the mayoral race by many votes. He then tries to run for governor, this time missing by a close margin.
In four years he's back, running again for governor. Willie never gave up. Armed with a formidable campaign manager, Sadie Burke (Mercedes McCambridge), Jack Burden, and a mouth full of propaganda, he wins.
Willie's rise to power is quick, and he soon makes the job his own. Willie wants to fulfill the promises he made during his campaign, but for ever legitimate deal he makes, three more a done "under the table."
The change in Willie's attitude is remarkable; overnight he becomes the corrupt ruler he was fighting against from the start. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, but someone, however, has got to stop Willie.
A great political drama that has been mostly overlooked by time (though there is a remake due out in 2005), All the King's Men (from the Pulitzer-prize winning play of the same name by Robert Penn Warren) was loosly based on real-life governor of Louisiana Huey P. Long. Long, as corrupt as an Olympic figure skating judge, tried to change the state for the better but only hurt it in the long run.
Willie Stark was the same way; he wanted to complete all of these grand projects he had conceptualized and campaigned on but failed to do so when corruption got the best of him. Only Jack Burden stayed moral throughout the film; he new what was right and wrong, and tried to stay away from the life of corruption (although Willie wouldn't let him walk away).
The movie is a great example of the rise and fall of a dictator. It accuratly shows how anyone, even a lowly "hick," can become the person in charge. You can see the change in Willie very well; it's like it happens instantly. One minute Willie is some "hick" running for office, the next minute he is the governor ordering people about. With great power comes great responsability, and Willie abuses that power every chance he gets. With Willie, his absolute power corrupted him, absolutly.
Broderick Crawford did a superb job with his Willie Stark character as he brought him to life with passion and real depth of character. Broderick was totally beliveable in his role, yet managed not to overpower, allowing for the other supporting characters to shine.
All the King's Men is a tought, political drama that is powerful yet subtle. It is rare to see a film win only best picture and two acting awards, but the film really was that good.
Plot: 
All the King's Men is a great political drama that shows how even the most innocent of men can rise to become a ruthlessly corrupt dictator, and how their downfall is quick and painfull.
There are terrific supporting characters in the like Jack Burden and Sadie Burke. Jack is the first main character we see in the film. There is a great deal of Jack's back-story given when we don't really need to know it. It seems tacked on and creates too much confusion early on in the movie, a spot where crucial information is laid out easily and understandably.
Visual Effects:
There are no special effects at all in the film; cinematography is standard and average, but these setbacks don't affect the power of the film.
Sound:
Character Development:
Jack Burden starts out as this na�ve young reporter yet becomes harden by the constant corruption of the Stark administration. Even Stark's campaign manager, Sadie Burke, is changed by the corruption. Willie Stark himself is dramatically changed by the power he is given when he is elected, but you'll have to see the film to understand the dramtic change he goes through.
Atmosphere:
Realism:
The film is a terrific portrayal of real life politicians and the ways they used to do things in the early 20th century (and perhaps even earlier). Corruption has always been a staple of the political life, and it's rare that you find a politician that isn't corrupt. The film shows us the dark side of the politics and just how quickly someone can rise and fall.
Warren�s Rating: 
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Battleground; The Heiress; A Letter to Three Wives; Twelve O'Clock High
8.71/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
19-04-05
Age at win: 39
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Willie Stark, All the King's Men
Nomination: 1/1 (acting), 1/1 (total); Win: Only
Broderick Crawford wasn't a well-known actor when he was choosen to play Willie Stark in All the King's Men, but he sure did an excelent job in the role.
Crawford started out the role as a soft-spoken hick but soon changed his whole attitude, becoming the corrupt governor of the fictional state. There are big differences in the way he played both parts, albeit the same character. To use a clich�, the change was like night and day.
Crawford gave off real power and emotion in his performance, making the corrupt governor seem even more ruthless and just plain evil. There was a madness in his eyes that gave the impression that he really was deeply immersed in the character.
20-04-05
Age at win: 33
Nominated for: Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Sadie Burke, All the King's Men
Nomination: 1/2 (acting), 1/2 (total); Win: Only
Mercedes plays the stern and rigid campaign manager Sadie Burke. At first we think that she is loyal to Willie Stark, but later on we really can't tell.
As the film progresses, Mercedes takes the character from being rigid to very soft and understanding. Her performance doesn't change as much as Broderick Crawford's did, though. Still, a very good supporting performance.
20-04-05
Broderick Crawford
DOB: December 9, 1911; DOD: April 26, 1986
Broderick Crawford's performance
Mercedes McCambridge
DOB: March 16, 1916; DOD: March 2, 2004
Mercedes McCambridges's performance
