All the King's Men (1949)

[kittenbiscuits]

Last night I watched the film All the King's Men. This is one that has been on my DVR since recording it way back during the 31 Days of Oscar festival on TCM. And it wasn't that I was procrastinating on watching it, I was saving it because I knew it was a good one, and I try to really savor the good ones. ;)




If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it. So for those of you who haven't seen it just little tease to get you interested:

It's about a man named Willie Stark who has humble beginnings as a hardworking "hick" farmer who is truly a man of the people. He is honest and wants to beat the corrupt local politicians in his small rural town. He fights all the way to the Governor's Mansion on a platform of fighting for the people and giving them the best: the finest hospitals, highways, schools. But at what price? What he doesn't plan on is that power, money, and corruption is a dangerous and powerful beast.

Now, is there anyone who has seen this film? First of all, I love Broderick Crawford. The first movie I had seen him in was Night People with Gregory Peck and then of course Born Yesterday with the fabulous Judy Holliday and William Holden. The characters he played in both of those movies were gruff and shall I say it, well kind of a jackasses. ;) So it was interesting to see him play a character that was different. Yes, Willie Stark has his "jackass" moments. And you downright despise him. But you can look at the character and remember that at the beginning he was pure and innocent and honest. And it was the political machine that corrupted him. I started to pity him.

What a story and what a performance.

Comments

[my_daroga]

I'd heard the title but never looking into this film. Sounds great, and thanks for adding it to my list!

[kittenbiscuits]

It really is a great film, so I'm glad you're adding to your list! My list is miles long! LOL! And considering all the things we hear about today in politics (not that shady politicking is new or anything) it really has some relevance. I haven't seen the remake with Sean Penn, but I heard that it wasn't very good. I'm not a remake snob or anything because there are some good ones out there, but it's dangerous territory to get into with remaking the classics. But I won't make any judgments about the 2006 version because I haven't seen it. ;)

[my_daroga]

I haven't seen that one either, but I, too, am leery of remakes. I don't think they're by definition a bad idea, because there's a lot of really clever and interesting things you can do. But I want there to be a reason other than money. (That's not a judgment on the film in question, just generally.)

Yeah, my list is pretty long, too! At least there's always more to see/read/do.

[kittenbiscuits]

You know, maybe we could have a post about remakes? I think that could be a great debate starter. ;)

[my_daroga]

Oh, absolutely. I think that'd be great.

[mecca]

Thats a good idea. "It happened One Night" was TCM the other day and I kept thinking, I should make a post about how I love "You Can't Run Away From It" so much more. Unless we are talking about more recent remakes?

[kittenbiscuits]

oh no, it could be remakes from any time. and the post has been made...so let's debate away!

and you should post about that film!