All the Film Things is BACK after a short break! On the fifty- ninth episode, production designer Izzy Dondero and filmmaker Franklin Ritch join me in analyzing Alan J. Pakula’s 1976 biographical political thriller masterpiece, All the President’s Men, to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary this month! This episode is explicit and spoiler- filled.

All the President’s Men is without a doubt one of the most significant films in American cinema for many reasons from the story at the center to being really the first film about journalism. The film, which is essentially a reenactment, follows The Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) slowly uncover the infamous story of Watergate scandal that led to the first and only resignation of a US president. This slow burn paranoid thriller is the final film in Alan J. Pakula’s paranoid trilogy and, considering the film ends, the paranoia is deeply felt within the audience. All the President's Men, which is based on the book of the same title by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, was published just two years before this film was released. Robert Redford secured the rights to the book before Woodward and Bernstein were even finished writing it because he was fascinated in what they were uncovering, and, even more so, in the two very different journalists who had trouble getting along in bringing this story to light. All the President's Men went on to win four out of the eight Academy Awards the film was nominated for, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jason Robards' portrayal of Ben Bradlee. What speaks to the film's legacy more than its Oscar wins is that this film, this now legendary story of Woodward and Bernstein, inspired a generation to become journalists which has surely continued to this day.

This is Franklin’s third and Izzy’s first time on the podcast! I interviewed Franklin in December 2024 (see Episode 34) and, last fall, he joined our friend Emma Catharine and I in discussing another 70s classic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (check out Episode 50). I became friends with Franklin over two years ago and Izzy about a year ago at Film Bar but the two of them have been friends and collaborators for a decade now. All the President’s Men is a longtime favorite of Franklin’s as well while this was Izzy’s first time watching the film. It’s evident in our discussion, and audibly through our voices, we all are very passionate about this film. That passion is audible but, unfortunately, Franklin's audio had some technical difficulties so he sounds a little quieter than usual. This episode was recorded on March 19, 2026.

Just this past weekend on April 4, Izzy produced ExHiBiT JAX where four Jacksonville writers, including Franklin, brought their short plays to the stage! It was a big success as the “one- time only” showing shortly became sold out so another earlier showing was added! You’ll have to stay tuned if they’ll make ExHiBiT JAX a series by following @exhibitjax on Instagram but, in the meantime, Izzy is also producing a production of The Sound of Music in St. Augustine! Auditions for every role will be held in person on April 25 but self- tapes can be submitted. Go to Limelight-Theatre.org for more details!

In this episode, Izzy, Franklin, and I talk about what All the President’s Men is like to watch decades removed from the events depicted in the film, the peculiar prominent prop in Woodward’s apartment, the surprising number of humorous moments, and how journalism has changed in 50 years! All this and much more on the latest episode of All the Film Things!

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