Bernstein and Woodward are dedicated to finding the truth behind the Watergate break-in. They spend countless hours making phone calls, doing research and chasing leads. They meet with various people. They ask a lot of questions and take many notes. Their determination is remarkable. The odds are stacked against them, but they never give up. They know the Nixon administration has placed many restraints on what people can say. Bernstein tries to find a way around it. He becomes clever with his interview tactics. “I don’t want you to feel that you’re in a position that you have to disclose names. I can just ask you initials. And then that way you’re not divulging any information,” Bernstein said.
Despite the obstacles and setbacks the two journalists face, they persevere. They are set on getting the story. And they want to get it right. “Our reporting must be precise,” Woodward said. There’s no room for error. It’s a huge story. The facts need to be confirmed. Bradlee demands thoroughness. He compels Bernstein and Woodward to obtain other sources.
One of Woodward’s sources warns that the journalists’ lives are in danger. Bernstein and Woodward inform Bradlee of the situation. He advises them to continue despite the risk. The risk turns out to be worth it. The journalists get their story and it gets published. The scandal is exposed and Nixon resigns.
Toward the end of the movie, Bradlee said to Bernstein and Woodward, “Not that there’s a lot riding on this. Only the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press and maybe the future of our democracy.” Bernstein and Woodward demonstrate the importance of the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press. They make a stand for what is right for the people of the United States. Journalism is not just a profession for Bernstein and Woodward. It’s a calling. It’s a sense of duty. It’s a way of life. Without their willpower and skills, the Watergate scandal may never have been revealed. This is a must-see movie. A movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat. A movie that will make you appreciate journalism. A movie of historical value. Its message will resonate for all time.
