All The King’s Men (1949)
Screening as part of the 2025 From Page To Screen film festival
Introduced by festival curator Andrew Chater
As relevant today as when it was first released, All the King’s Men is a portrait of the rise and fall of an idealistic, but-ruthless, American politician. Robert Rossen directs one of cinema’s greatest and most terrifying transformations as we watch Willie Stark (Broderick Crawford) turn from soft-spoke rural candidate into an aggressive, corrupt, rabble-rousing juggernaut who burns the rule book and watches the embers spark a raging populist fire.
Based on Robert Penn Warren’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film was nominated for 7 Academy Awards and won 3: for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Written with acidic cynicism and edited with an electrifying ferocity, the film asks some of the most important political questions for us today: can we learn from history? And is it too late?
Dir. Robert Rossen, USA 1949, 110 mins. With Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge.
Certificate U
Gain deeper insight into the film with our curator, Andrew Chater, as he explores its themes, significance, and creative process. Watch the video below to hear his expert perspective.
Dates & Tickets
| Date | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 25 April, 2025 | 5:00pm | Buy Tickets |
Reviews
Robert Rossen’s classic is a reminder to Americans that dictators don’t work for the people – they use them as a tool.