All the King's Men

The story of an idealist's rise to power in the world of Louisiana politics and the corruption that leads to his ultimate downfall, based on the 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel written by Robert Penn Warren, loosely based on the life of Louisiana governor Huey Long. The film follows Jack Burden, a Louisianan news reporter, as he becomes embroiled in the campaign of Willie Stark, an idealistic small-town lawyer and parish treasurer, who promises to bring about change with his straightforward speeches and attacks on corruption. As Stark rises to power, he proves to be a persuasive governor, but his methods become increasingly suspect, leading to a tragic confrontation that will have far-reaching consequences for all involved.