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All the King's Men

Play trailer Poster for All the King's Men Released Nov 8, 1949 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 73 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Drama about the rise and fall of a corrupt southern governor who promises his way to power. Broderick Crawford portrays Willie Stark, who, once he is elected, finds that his vanity and power lust prove to be his downfall. The film is based on the 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Robert Penn Warren.
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All the King's Men

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Critics Consensus

Broderick Crawford is spellbinding as politician Willie Stark in director Robert Rossen's adaptation of the Robert Penn Warren novel about the corrosive effects of power on the human soul.

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Critics Reviews

View All (73) Critics Reviews
Richard L. Coe Washington Post It has the sort of excitement to interest the most escapist-minded of picturegoers. It has the sharp delineations of characters that fascinate those whose hobby is people. And it is an immensely provocative political document. Jul 25, 2022 Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe Here is a picture that took courage to make. It stands up in entertainment value, but it is primarily a vital, powerful and terrifying picture of what dirty politics can do to both individual and state. Nov 30, 2021 Full Review Helen Bower Detroit Free Press Crawford ought to have an Oscar for his performance as Willie Stark. He charges like a bull and charms like a serpent. Nov 30, 2021 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily ...the song remains the same 75 years later. It’s a fascinating study on the type of firebrands that dominate politics. Jun 27, 2023 Full Review Edwin F. Melvin Christian Science Monitor Robert Rossen has skilfully performed a triple function as producer, director, and author of the screen play from a novel by Robert Penn Warren. The acting has both vigor and finesse, Aug 16, 2022 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Stretching the definition of “noir” a bit, it’s a barbed indictment of deep political corruption in the Deep South. Mar 28, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nick s The movie's start was slow and lacking promise, but then it really took off. The camera work and sets didn't quite have the hallmark of a great director. However the character development and exploration of ethics was great, and easily made up for it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/23 Full Review Keith W Wow what a compelling film! It draws you in and doesn't let go. Broderick Crawford is fantastic in a film with a strong cast throughout. Is he evil or just ruthless but well intentioned? And he never gives you the answer which is so right for this film. As a Brit I can't help think the real problem with US politics shown here is not how it corrupts those who gain power but there are too many guns. Stark's right hand hood, Sugar Boy, is such a familiar face and is worthily given some important lines in this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/13/23 Full Review deke p 1949 classic! HIGHEST positive reviews from RT Crits. BROD CRAWFORD was amazingly great! The HUEY LONG story, kinda, by Robert Penn Warren. Finally saw it about 72 years later, on the television set 5.22.2022, same day I am giving it 4 1/2 RotnTom Starsh. And JOHN IRELAND xlnt too. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member An adaptation of a novelized version of Huey P Long, Governor or Louisiana. Very true to the facts while incorporating fictionalized characters to create personal relationships. Packed a lot of information into a very digestible film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Luca D Similar to Citizen Kane, this tale follows a the career of a corrupt politician who starts off doing good and gradually gets dirtier with his ways. The cinematography and acting was all on point. A solid plot and pace. Would definitely watch again. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/28/21 Full Review Audience Member Five star story. Four and a half star script and direction. And then there is Broderick Crawford, whose overblown performance brings it down. Crawford never played anything else but a variation of Willie Stark. He simply was not that good of an actor, Looking at his limited career shows this. He goes from speaking calmly, caringly, and boring, to a full blown blowhard monster in just one scene. From then on, there is no nuance, no sign of dimension. A great relevant story for current times though. A warning of false populism and autocracy masked and conning the masses. I just wish an actor like Richard Widmark or Robert Ryan (why does a bully always have to be cast with a heavyset actor?) had been cast instead, so Willie had real dimension. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/04/21 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

All the King's Men

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Blackmailing a Judge All the King's Men: Official Clip - Blackmailing a Judge 3:33 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Messiah or Dictator? All the King's Men: Official Clip - Messiah or Dictator? 1:57 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Political Assassination All the King's Men: Official Clip - Political Assassination 2:21 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Drunken Car Crash All the King's Men: Official Clip - Drunken Car Crash 2:44 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Deals With the Devil All the King's Men: Official Clip - Deals With the Devil 2:17 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Willie Stark's Speech All the King's Men: Official Clip - Willie Stark's Speech 3:46 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Murdered Political Opponent All the King's Men: Official Clip - Murdered Political Opponent 2:09 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Terrible Football Injury All the King's Men: Official Clip - Terrible Football Injury 3:23 All the King's Men: Official Clip - She Slept With Him All the King's Men: Official Clip - She Slept With Him 2:18 All the King's Men: Official Clip - Impeached! All the King's Men: Official Clip - Impeached! 2:40 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Drama about the rise and fall of a corrupt southern governor who promises his way to power. Broderick Crawford portrays Willie Stark, who, once he is elected, finds that his vanity and power lust prove to be his downfall. The film is based on the 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Robert Penn Warren.
Director
Robert Rossen
Producer
Robert Rossen
Screenwriter
Robert Rossen
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 8, 1949, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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