‘All the President’s Men’ is 50 years old. A former Post staffer tells us why that matters

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This month marks the 50th anniversary of the film “All the President’s Men.” For the journalists, political enthusiasts, and movie lovers who admire it, this milestone is being marked with a mix of nostalgia and thoughtful reflection.

I consider myself part of the worlds of film, journalism, and politics, and I’ve definitely played the part of an admirer – most recently during my time as the chief film critic at The Washington Post. It was amazing to see the Post’s newsroom so accurately and vividly depicted in the movie, right alongside Robert Redford’s Bob Woodward and Dustin Hoffman’s Carl Bernstein.

Like many journalists of my generation, I vividly remember my first time entering the newsroom in 2002. While the old electric typewriters and carbon paper had been replaced by computers, the newsroom still had the same intense, focused energy it always had.

I’ve spent the last two years researching the story behind the film “All the President’s Men,” and it’s been surprisingly complex – almost as convoluted as the Watergate scandal itself. One of the most fascinating aspects of this story involves Katharine Graham, the publisher of The Washington Post. The film clearly shows the courage it took for Woodward and Bernstein to continue their reporting despite fearful sources and their own anxieties. However, many didn’t realize that Graham was facing even greater pressure at the time, and her quiet determination was truly remarkable.

Movies

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always been captivated by Robert Redford. Looking at his work – from classics like ‘All the President’s Men’ and ‘The Natural’ to more recent films like ‘All Is Lost’ – it’s clear he’s left an incredible mark, not just as an actor, but as a filmmaker too. His influence is truly visible both in front of and behind the camera.

I’m still puzzling over why she was essentially erased from “All the President’s Men.” It’s becoming clear, though, that the reason is more complicated than just being forgotten or, as some immediately jump to, a case of gender bias. There’s a deeper story there, and I’m digging to uncover it.

Interestingly, the very first draft of the movie included a scene with Graham and Woodward – and it stayed in every version after that. The scene was based on a real meeting between them, showing a cautious back-and-forth where the publisher assesses the inexperienced journalist, wanting to be sure his reporting is accurate.

Back in January, Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke performed scenes from “All the President’s Men” in a special fundraising event for the Stella Adler Academy at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood. The performance, a staged reading, allowed audiences to imagine an alternate version of the film, using various drafts of the screenplay by William Goldman. Ruffalo played Woodward and Hawke played Bernstein.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was when Mark Ruffalo and Susan Traylor acted out the famous scene between Graham and Woodward. Traylor, playing Graham, pressed Ruffalo’s Woodward about his sources and playfully hinted about the identity of Deep Throat. She then asked if the truth about Watergate would ever be known. Ruffalo, as Woodward, responded that it might not. Traylor’s Graham, disappointed, lamented this possibility and ended the scene with a firm but polite, “Do better.”

I’ve read that scene many times while researching Alan J. Pakula and William Goldman’s work. However, hearing it performed live was surprisingly emotional. I felt both proud of what Graham accomplished and deeply saddened that his contributions have been largely overlooked recently.

Voices

Commentary: Documentary on Washington Post’s former publisher reminds us there’s one way forward for media

Katharine Graham, as the leader of the Washington Post, transformed it from a local newspaper into a globally recognized and influential publication. She also became a model for responsible media ownership.

I was also saddened by the recent passing of Robert Redford. He had often said he wished Katharine Graham had played a bigger role in the film “All the President’s Men.” He deeply appreciated how her strength and determination were essential to Woodward and Bernstein’s investigation, and he wanted to acknowledge her vital contribution. When I spoke with him in 2005, he emphasized that strong, independent publishers are just as crucial to a healthy democracy as the journalists they support.

For the next twenty years, whenever I saw Robert Redford, he would express his disappointment with how things had deteriorated. He was referring to the world depicted in “All the President’s Men” – a time when journalism thrived, the First Amendment was strongly upheld, and Washington officials – from investigators to lawmakers – worked with integrity, putting country before party. He also lamented that even major studios like Warner Bros. were no longer willing to fund challenging films about sensitive and recent historical events.

While the film was certainly based on a popular book and featured major stars, it now feels like a relic of the past. Today, with politicians and businesses – including those in the media – so eager to gain favor with President Trump, the film’s depiction of holding power accountable seems like it comes from a different world.

This situation is particularly evident at The Washington Post, the newsroom famously depicted in the movie, which has seen its staff cut by over a third. Jeff Bezos, who purchased the paper in 2013, appears to be dismantling the legacy of Katharine Graham, the former publisher, potentially leaving nothing of it behind. While the Trump administration posed significant challenges, Bezos initially defended the Post and the broader press from threats that would have even shocked Richard Nixon.

Jeff Bezos has become a symbol of willingly going along with things, as described by author Timothy Snyder. This is evident in his actions, such as blocking support for Kamala Harris, publicly appearing cheerful at Donald Trump’s second inauguration, spending far too much money on a film about Melania Trump, and remaining noticeably silent when the FBI searched a Washington Post reporter’s home earlier this year.

The changes have been very damaging, both ethically and financially. The Washington Post has lost thousands of subscribers, and many of its best journalists and writers have left for other news outlets. As former editor Marty Baron explained to Ruth Marcus in a February article for the New Yorker, the transformation under Bezos has been disturbing, essentially a rapid example of a brand destroying itself.

That brand’s success was largely due to the movie “All the President’s Men,” which heavily influenced how a generation pictured reporters – from their clothing to their mannerisms. (A classic corduroy jacket and a pen held in the mouth were key parts of the look!)

Movies

For almost fifty years, Meryl Streep has consistently avoided being typecast, delivering memorable performances in films ranging from early successes like “Sophie’s Choice” and “Silkwood” to more recent projects like “The Post.”

In 1976, director Alan Pakula spoke about Katharine Graham, expressing his great admiration for her and their growing friendship. He excitedly suggested he could make a film about her life, calling it a “superb story.”

Thirty years after Pakula first conceived the idea, Steven Spielberg made the film “The Post,” which tells the story of Katharine Graham’s decision to publish the Pentagon Papers. This event served as a crucial precursor to the much larger Watergate scandal that unfolded the following year.

The film “The Post,” featuring a brilliant performance by Meryl Streep as a confident yet vulnerable leader, debuted in Washington shortly after Trump began his presidency. Jeff Bezos was present at the premiere, which many interpreted as a sign that he was learning from the film’s themes of strong character, dignified behavior, and capability.

It was definitely an optimistic hope, but even with Graham now recognized as a key figure in journalism history, it’s still surprising she wasn’t included in the most famous movie about journalism from the 1900s.

These days, it’s not the reporters themselves who need lessons on how to do their jobs – it’s the people who manage them. A good first step for editors and publishers would be to remember that “Do better” is the worst thing you can say – especially in public.

Ann Hornaday worked as a film critic for The Washington Post from 2002 until her retirement in 2025. The movie “All the President’s Men” will be shown at the TCM Classic Film Festival on Saturday at 2:45 p.m.

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2026-05-02 00:32