All the King's Men

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All the King's Men

Released Nov 8, 1949

1h 49m

Drama

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97%

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73 Reviews

78%

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

The Best Picture of 1949. Broderick Crawford win an Oscar for leading actor. Excellent drama!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/21

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Robert Rossen

Director

Broderick Crawford

Willie Stark

Joanne Dru

Anne Stanton

Mercedes McCambridge

Sadie Burke

John Ireland

Jack Burden

John Derek

Tom Stark

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All the King's Men: Official Clip - Blackmailing a Judge

3:33

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Messiah or Dictator?

1:57

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Political Assassination

2:21

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Drunken Car Crash

2:44

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Deals With the Devil

2:17

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Willie Stark's Speech

3:46

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Murdered Political Opponent

2:09

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Terrible Football Injury

3:23

All the King's Men: Official Clip - She Slept With Him

2:18

All the King's Men: Official Clip - Impeached!

2:40

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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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