All the King's Men

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All the King's Men

1949

1h 49m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

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

Jul 25, 2022

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.

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Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

Nov 30, 2021

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.

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Helen Bower

Detroit Free Press

Nov 30, 2021

Crawford ought to have an Oscar for his performance as Willie Stark. He charges like a bull and charms like a serpent.

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Jun 27, 2023

...the song remains the same 75 years later. It’s a fascinating study on the type of firebrands that dominate politics.

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Edwin F. Melvin

Christian Science Monitor

Aug 16, 2022

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,

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Mar 28, 2022

Stretching the definition of “noir” a bit, it’s a barbed indictment of deep political corruption in the Deep South.

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C L

@charleylang Aug 5, 2026

John Ireland = stiff, bad acting in this film. Of course the pedantic dialogue, especially in his scenes with Ann, doesn’t help. And an Oscar nom in the bargain! Bizarre.

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Rich C.

@RichieNoir Jan 27, 2026

Lost steam near the end.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 12, 2025

Winner in 1 hour and 49 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, winner winner chicken dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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PanProduction T

@ChunPan9 Apr 21, 2025

The movie is very timely, considering what is currently happening with the Trump administration.

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Christian K

@ckacar Mar 5, 2025

A tale of political corruption where the themes and issues have not gone away for 70+ years now. The performances were ok but I would not call the plot or pacing intriguing in any way.

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Russ G

@RT78760655 Feb 18, 2025

Let's be honest: the bar was set pretty low for Academy Awards back then. Not that there haven't been some undeserving nominees and actual winners since then. I'm looking at you, Butterfield 8! As for the actor in the role of our protagonist, the TV series "Highway Patrol" was a better match for his limited talents. I've seen Crawford in one other film, and the portrayal was of another insufferable blowhard. Ten Four, Over and Out!

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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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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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