The "Watergate Scandle" as it has come to be known, had the whole country gripped for a long time. Here is a short telling the events of Wategate, to which All the Presidents Men was based on. (These events follow the movie fairly closely.)
In 1971, five men are arrested after breaking into an office at the Democratic Nation Comittee Head Quarters at the Watergate Hotel and Office Complex, in Washington D.C.
The Washington Post, a newspaper, learns of this break-in, and starts two men of the story: Carl Bernstien (Dustin Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford). Together, they manage to break one the biggest scandles in history.
One of the burglers arrested was found to have a cashiers check worth $25,000 in his bank account. This money had been earmarked for the Nixon re-election campaigne.
Once Woodward and Bernstein get the go ahead to publish the story in the Post, with approval by their editor, Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards) it is quickly labled as "a lie," and "a stab at the president." But, Woodward soon discovers that it is indeed true, as he makes contact with and anonymous high-level whitehouse official, nicknamed Deep Throat.
Soon, however, it is reported that Attorney General John Mitchell controlled a secret republican "fund" to finance intelligence gathering and against the Democrats. This too, is labeled "untrue."
By this time, Woodward and Bernstein are in way over thier heads, but are still gathering much needed information about just what really went on.
About one month later, the FBI determins that the break-in was all part of a massive spying and sabatoge campaign on behalf of the Nixon re-election campaign. Several White-house "higher-up's," (James W. McCord Jr. and G. Gordon Liddy) are convicted of burglary, wiretaping and conspiracy.
H.R. Haldman, John Ehrllchman and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, all top White-House officials, resign.
Woodward and Bernstien are told by the mysterious Deep Throat that they are indanger, and that their own homes may be "bugged." Naturally, they now fear for thier own lives.
By this time, Nixon is re-elected in a landslide victory. (This is where the film ends, but the story goes on.) Around several months later, the U.S. Senate begins televised court hearings. At one such hearing, one John Dean testified that he discussed "the Watergate Scandle" with Nixon at least 35 times. Almost one years later, totally embroiled in scandle, Nixon goes on record as saying that "I am not a crook."
It is soon revealed that Nixon began taping all his telephone calls from his offices. These "tapes" are subpoenaed by the Grand Jury, but Nixon won't give them all up. Transcripts of the tapes are made public, but are heavily edited. One such "Nixon" tape contained an 18 1/2 minute blank space (of which was earsed would most likely have convicted Nixon).
Spirow T. Agnew, Vice-president, had already resigned. The next Vice-president resigned as well. Nixon, on his way to being impeached, on charges of Obstruction of Justice, "resigned the presidency, effective at noon tomorrow," on August 9, 1974.
Woodward and Bernstein are still alive, and Woodward still will not give up the identity of Deep Throat. Even for the filming of All the President's Men, he would even give a tiny hint as to what any part of Deep throat might have been like. All we know for sure is that Deep Throat is "very much alive and well."
All the President's Men is a great telling of the Watergate Scandle, down to every last detail.
Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford were exceptional in the film (although Hoffman was better in Rain Man). Jason Robards, as Ben Bradlee, was also just as good.
This movie is heavily on the talking, but it gets the point across, and it is a great historical film that is very accurate to the historical events of the Nixon presidency.
Plot: 
The book written by Woodward and Bernstien provided an excelent story. "True story" plots are always exceptional.
Visual Effects: 
There are no visual effects, except for the Typerwriter at the end of the film. However, the cinematography is well done.
Sound:
Above average. This is why All the President's men won the Oscar for Best Sound.
Character Development:
Self explantory, don't you think?
Atmosphere:
The Watergate scandle was a very interesting story, and this film is just as interesting.
Realism:
It is based on the real Watergate Scandle, which really did happen. all the characters in the film are based on real people, including Deep Throat him self, who may never be revealed.
Warren�s Rating:
Other movies nominated for Best Picture with it:
Bound for Glory, (1976); Network, (1976);
*Rocky, (1976);
Taxi Driver, (1976)
8.29/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
08-10-03
Age at win: 54
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Ben Bradlee, All the President's Men
Nomination: 1/3 (acting), 1/3 (total); Win: 1st
Jason Robards won his first of back-to-back Oscars for supporting roles with his role of Ben Bradlee.
Robards has a limited role, yet it is a pivitole role, and he does a good job of playing the real person. Always trying to instill the "find solid evidence" creed into his journalists, Bill Bradlee is a hard-nosed journalist editor who won't take no for an answer.
08-10-03
