Plot: What’s it about?
There are two things you think of when you mention the words “Deep Throat” and the other I really can’t get into in this review. “Deep Throat” as anyone over the age of 20 should know, was the code name of the anonymous source that helped Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein break the Watergate story which ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Admittedly, I never really knew much about Watergate (though for consistency’s sake, I did know what “Deep Throat” was in regards to the scandal) and until this new DVD came out, I’d never seen “All the President’s Men”. The movie is based on the book by the two reporters who broke the story and subsequently wrote the best-selling novel. “All the President’s Men” follows the story from the initial break in of the Watergate office building to the ultimate downfall of the country’s top leader.
Robert Redford, who also Produced the movie, stars as Bob Woodward; a new reporter to the Washington Post with only 9 months experience to his credit. Dustin Hoffman plays Carl Bernstein, someone with a dozen years experience. Woodward initially gets the Watergate story, covering the break in. As he starts to do some digging, he realizes that there’s more to it than meets the eye. As Bernstein gives his unsolicited help, both are assigned to the story. The duo start doing interviews, finding road blocks thrown in their face and it’s not long before they realize that they might have stumbled onto the story of the century. There’s a cover up, wire taps and no one is saying a word. People are indicted, jobs are lost and the gag order is in full effect over their stories. There’s a lot of public criticism too, but Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards) sticks by his reporters and takes the blows. We all know the result.
“All the President’s Men” is a movie that had to be made, namely to inform the public as to what Watergate actually was. Real names are used, archived footage and the investigative track that Woodward and Bernstein used to break the story. Watergate has gone down as one of the biggest news stories of the 20th century and forced the only resignation of a United States President. Watching the movie is more like a history lesson than a work of entertainment and though dated (check out Hoffman’s hair), the story is no less poignant then than it is now. The movie was nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture and it walked away with half of those.
Video: How does it look?
This was among the first titles released on the fledgling DVD format back in the late 90’s and as we flash forward a few decades, we finally get a 4K version of this classic. The 1.85:1 HEVC 4K image has improved color saturation seems improved and though the movie is very dated and dominated by some more earthy tones, there’s a noticeable difference in sharpness and detail. Black levels and contrast have been improved as well. A majority of the film takes place in the “pit” of the Washington Post, showing some of the harsh fluorescent lighting, but we’re also treated to some nice exterior shots (as well as the famous scene in the parking garage). It’s a notable upgrade from the previously-released Blu-ray and for a film of this age – it looks magnificent.
Audio: How does it sound?
The film was nominated for Best Sound, but lost. Still, there’s no comparison to the films of today, but this movie has a different type of sound. It’s nearly all dialogue-driven, though we do get some pretty interesting sound effects from typewriters and whatnot (remember those)? There’s no distortion with the soundtrack and though the surrounds are pretty much non-existent, they do chime in from time to time. This is the typical example of a movie simply delivering what it promises, so don’t plan to be blown away in regards to audio (because you won’t be).
Supplements: What are the extras?
The good news is that we have a couple of new featurettes on this 4K offering. The bad is that we lose a few, including the audio commentary found on the earlier release. I suppose if you want the definitive version – don’t sell your old disc.
- All the President’s Men: The Film and Its Influence – The first of two featurettes (which should have been one, but I guess they needed another bullet point on the back of the box) is hosted by CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper who discuss the film and its influence on their respective careers.
- Woodward and Bernstein: A Journalism Masterclass – The second, also hosted by Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, looks more at the journalistic appeal of the story and Tapper and Bash’s personal interactions with Woodword and Bernstein.
- Woodward and Bernstein: Lighting the Fire – has some new interviews with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they reflect back on their historic story.
- Telling the Truth About Lies – This making of featurette that tells of the inspiration for the film and how it all came to be (i.e. once Redford came aboard, everything fell into place).
- Out of the Shadows: The Man Who Was Deep Throat – featurette on the man who literally was Deep Throat. Mark Felt is that man and he came out of “hiding” in May 2005 to announce to the world that he was Deep Throat. The former #2 man at the CIA admitted to being the source and at the age of 91 ” this tells his story.
- Jason Robards on Dinah! – I’m assuming this is Dinah Shore, but the show was before my time. Still, it’s nice to see him talk about the role and he was the perfect choice for the role.
The Bottom Line
Remember the days when if someone in power, even a sitting President, would take accountability for their actions and (albeit begrudgingly) do the right thing? Well, judging by our current administration those days are long gone. Now it’s deny, deny, deny but I digress. All the President’s Men remains a staple in cinema for it’s no-nonsense look at one of the greatest cover-ups in American history. The new 4K offering gives us a major improvement in picture quality as well as a couple of new features (though we lose some as well).
