We sadly lost that titan of the cinema Robert Redford last year and this month's Classic Cinema is a celebration of him and his work. His contribution to cinema was huge not only in acting, but directing, producing and the founder of the hugely influential Sundance film festival. All the President's Men (1976) is one of if not his finest performance and is a gripping, razor-sharp triumph, an electrifying political thriller that proves truth can be more suspenseful than fiction. 50 years on, it remains the gold standard of investigative journalism on film and a defining work of 1970s American cinema.
The film dramatizes the true story of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they uncover the Watergate scandal. What begins as a minor break-in slowly unfolds into a chilling portrait of corruption at the highest levels of power. Director Alan J. Pakula favors realism and restraint, muted lighting, meticulous dialogue, and procedural detail create relentless tension without flashy theatrics. The themes, press freedom, persistence, integrity, and the cost of pursuing truth, feel as urgent today as ever.
Robert Redford delivers a career-defining and perfectly understated performance (also iconic in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), alongside Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) and Jason Robards (Once Upon a Time in the West). The film was a major critical success, winning multiple Oscars and frequently appearing on the greatest films ever made lists.
The film will be preceded by a short introduction by a member of the Halstead Empire team on why the film is regarded as a classic, some great trivia and interesting things to look out for during the screening. Come join us and celebrate Robert Redford at his very best giving a masterclass in screen acting, (he was so, so much more than just a pretty face!) with appreciative fellow film fans at The Empire on the big screen where it belongs. You really do not want to miss this one!
You may enjoy All The Presidents Men if you enjoyed The Parallax View (1974) or Spotlight (2015).
