All the King's Men is a 1949 American drama film written, produced, and directed by Robert Rossen, based on the 1946 novel of the same name by Robert Penn Warren. The film stars Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge, and Joanne Dru.
Plot
The plot focuses on the rise and fall of the ambitious and ruthless politician Willie Stark (played by Crawford) in the American South. It follows Stark's journey from a rural county seat to the spotlight, where he becomes just as corrupt as those he once fought against.
Along the way, the film explores the romance between one of his "right-hand women" and an up-and-coming journalist who brings Stark to prominence. The film is known for its insightful portrayal of the corrosive effects of power on the human soul and has been praised for its performances, particularly that of Broderick Crawford, who won the 1949 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Willie Stark.
Trailer
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Full Cast
- Broderick Crawford as Willie Stark
- John Ireland as Jack Burden
- Joanne Dru as Anne Stanton
- John Derek as Tom Stark
- Mercedes McCambridge as Sadie Burke
- Shepperd Strudwick as Adam Stanton
- Ralph Dumke as Tiny Duffy
- Anne Seymour as Mrs. Lucy Stark
- Katharine Warren as Mrs. Burden
- Raymond Greenleaf as Judge Monte Stanton
- Walter Burke as Sugar Boy
- Will Wright as Dolph Pillsbury
- Grandon Rhodes as Floyd McEvoy
- Larry Steers as Man at Impeachment Hearing (uncredited)
- Houseley Stevenson as Madison the newspaper editor
- Paul Ford as State Senator and impeachment prosecutor
Director: Robert Rossen
Writer: Robert Rossen
Box office Gross: $4.2 million (rentals)
Genre: Drama
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 1949
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2013
Themes & Reception
The 1949 film All the King's Men explores several themes and has received notable reception. The film delves into the rise and fall of a corrupt politician, showcasing the corrosive effects of power and the loss of innocence. It also portrays the modern nature of campaigning, opposition research, and the complex relationships between the candidate and key staff.
In addition, the film has been associated with film noir themes, with motifs suggestive of noir traditions and a sense of modernity versus Old South morality. These places All the King's Men on the same thematic level as contemporary works such as Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" and the stories of Flannery O'Connor.
The film has been recognized for its insightful portrayal of the impact of populism and politics, and it has been praised for its performances, particularly that of Broderick Crawford, who won the 1949 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Willie Stark.
Trivia
Acting in the Dark: During the making of the 1949 film, director Robert Rossen deliberately withheld the script from the actors, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and spontaneity to elicit more natural performances.
Symbolism and Imagery: The film utilizes symbolism and imagery to convey its themes. For example, to evoke the crowd's anger, the protagonist constantly evokes violence, representing himself as "one of them" and giving voice to their anger at being cheated by the wealthy.
Fun Fact
All the King's Men was remade in 2006, with a star-studded cast that included Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Anthony Hopkins, and James Gandolfini. The remake was directed by Steven Zaillian and was also based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Robert Penn Warren.
