A classic!

"I don't need money. People gives me things because they believe in me."

The Academy Awards favoured All the King's Men with Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress as well as many other well-earnt nominations.

The film is a classic story that takes an uncompromising look at how power can corrupt a man. Many timeless movie gems have explored such ground (my personal favourite being Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) and all have become much loved films many decades after their original release.

Unfortunately the years haven't been too kind to All the King's Men; it delivers a poignant message but has dated quite a bit. In this day and age it will be difficult to find movie-goers with a strong compulsion to watch a classic like this. It seems that the modern-day cinema generation don't enjoy the old films anymore.

All the King's Men is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Robert Penn Warren. The film concerns the politically corrupt rise of a "little guy" to his destiny in securing the Governorship of the State. Broderick Crawford plays Willie Stark in a performance that earned him an Oscar. Stark eventually retains a position of power as the governor. But along the way he loses his innocence and becomes equally as corrupt as those who tried to destroy him during his ascension to governor of the state.

All the King's Men doesn't examine the corruption of a politician in Washington. Instead the film examines the corruption of your typical guy with an ambition to reach governorship. In that respect it's a human-interest story with no political agenda; a tale that shows what politics can do to an ordinary bloke.

The motivated performances are what power this dialogue-driven drama. This statement is reflected in the decision to present the film with Best Actor and Best Actress. Broderick Crawford delivers a bravura performance as Willie Stark. At the beginning he seems like just your average guy wanting to make a mark on the country in the aspect of politics. Throughout the film he seems very focused and concentrated on his powerful portrayal. It's easy to get engaged in the actions of his character. His performance is engrossing and intriguing. The supporting cast absolutely excelled themselves; presenting some truly magnificent characters that are relatable and fascinating. There's a host of fantastic characters thrown into the mix.

All the King's Men may not be as good as Capra's classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (that addresses the same kind of issues), but it stands strongly on its own intrinsic worth. It's a gutsy move to tackle such subject matter and I believe the filmmakers handled it with great style and sophistication. It has dated but most of its original impact remains. Winner of 3 Oscars.

8/10