All The President's Men

Landmark movie which combines elements of the political thriller, buddy picture-star vehicle, detective story, 1930s newspaper reporter programmer, and biopic. The two stars play the real-life Washington Post reporters who kicked off the Watergate investigation, with Hoffman as the Jewish, street-smart Carl Bernstein and Redford as the WASPy Bob Woodward. Robards, beginning his spate of crusty-ole-codger supporting roles, won an Oscar, as did screenwriter William Goldman. The film features a host of fine character portrayals and a compelling climax that compensates for its length.