“Films about investigative journalism” typically revolve around the compelling stories of journalists who delve deep into uncovering truth and exposing corruption. These films often highlight the courage and determination of investigative reporters as they risk everything to bring the truth to light.
“Spotlight”, 2015
Director: Tom McCarthy
Directed by Tom McCarthy, this film follows the true story of The Boston Globe's “Spotlight” team as they investigate the widespread child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Boston.
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Elena Wohl, Gene Amoroso, Doug Murray, Sharon McFarlane, Jamey Sheridan, Neal Huff, Billy Crudup, Robert B. Kennedy, Duane Murray, Brian Chamberlain, Michael Cyril Creighton, Paul Guilfoyle, Michael Countryman, Tim Whalen, Martin Roach, Brad Borbridge, Don Allison, Patty Ross, Paloma Nuñez, Robert Clarke, Gary Galone, David Fraser, Paulette Sinclair, Laurie Heineman, Elena Juatco, Nancy Villone, Wendy Merry, Siobhan Murphy, Eileen Padua, Darrin Baker, Brett Cramp, Joe Stapleton, Maureen Keiller, Jimmy LeBlanc, Tim Progosh, Neion George, Laurie Murdoch, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Krista Morin, Paula Barrett, Mairtin O'Carrigan, Rob deLeeuw, Nancy E. Carroll;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
“All the President's Men”, 1976
Director: Alan J. Pakula
Directed by Alan J. Pakula, this classic film portrays the investigative reporting by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post as they uncover the Watergate scandal, ultimately leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards, Jane Alexander, Meredith Baxter, Ned Beatty, Stephen Collins, Penny Fuller, John McMartin, Robert Walden, Frank Wills, F. Murray Abraham, David Arkin, Henry Calvert, Dominic Chianese, Bryan Clark, Nicolas Coster, Lindsay Crouse, Valerie Curtin, Gene Dynarski, Nate Esformes, Ron Hale, Richard Herd, Polly Holliday, James Karen, Paul Lambert, Frank Latimore, Gene Lindsey, Anthony Mannino, Allyn Ann McLerie, James Murtaugh, John O'Leary, Jess Osuna, Neva Patterson, George Pentecost, Penny Peyser, Joshua Shelley, Sloane Shelton, Lelan Smith, Jaye Stewart, Ralph Williams, George Wyner, Leroy Aarons, Donnlynn Bennett, Stanley Bennett Clay, Carol Coggin, Laurence Covington;
Production year: 1976;
Genre: thriller, drama, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “All the President's Men” on the website imdb.com
“The Post”, 2017
Director: Steven Spielberg
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks and focuses on The Washington Post's decision to publish the Pentagon Papers, a classified study about the Vietnam War, despite government opposition.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, Jesse Plemons, David Cross, Zach Woods, Pat Healy, John Rue, Rick Holmes, Philip Casnoff, Jessie Mueller, Stark Sands, Michael Cyril Creighton, Will Denton, Deirdre Lovejoy, Michael Devine, Kelly Miller, Jennifer Dundas, Austyn Johnson, Brent Langdon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Deborah Green, Gary Wilmes, Christopher Innvar, Luke Slattery, Justin Swain, Robert G. McKay, Sasha Spielberg, Bryan Burton, Coral Peña, Dan Bittner, Kenneth Tigar, David Aaron Baker, Gannon McHale, Kevin Loreque, Francis Dumaurier, Stephen Mailer, Ned Noyes, John Henry Cox, Dan Bucatinsky, David Costabile, Johanna Day, Annika Boras;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: thriller, drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Post” on the website imdb.com
“Zodiac”, 2007
Director: David Fincher
Directed by David Fincher, this movie is based on the true story of the hunt for the Zodiac Killer in the late 1960s and '70s, as seen through the perspective of the journalists and detectives involved in the case.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, Robert Downey Jr., Chloë Sevigny, John Carroll Lynch, Brian Cox, Elias Koteas, Dermot Mulroney, Donal Logue, Richmond Arquette, Bob Stephenson, John Lacy, Ed Setrakian, John Getz, John Terry, Candy Clark, June Diane Raphael, Ciara Moriarty, Lee Norris, Patrick Scott Lewis, Pell James, Philip Baker Hall, David Lee Smith, Jason Wiles, Charles Schneider, James Carraway, Tom Verica, Jimmi Simpson, Doan Ly, Karina Logue, Joel Bissonnette, Zach Grenier, John Mahon, Matt Winston, Jules Bruff, John Ennis, J. Patrick McCormack, Adam Goldberg, James Le Gros, Charles Fleischer, Clea DuVall, Paul Schulze, Adam Trese, Penny Wallace, John Hemphill, Michel Francoeur, Thomas Kopache, Barry Livingston, Christopher John Fields;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: thriller, detective, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 158 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Zodiac” on the website imdb.com
“State of Play”, 2009
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Directed by Kevin Macdonald, this film centers around a team of investigative journalists uncovering a web of conspiracy and political intrigue while investigating the death of a congressman's mistress.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Michael Berresse, Harry J. Lennix, Josh Mostel, Michael Weston, Barry Shabaka Henley, Viola Davis, David Harbour, Sarah Lord, Tuck Milligan, Steve Park, Brennan Brown, Maria Thayer, Wendy Makkena, Zoe Lister-Jones, Michael Jace, Rob Benedict, LaDell Preston, Dan Brown, Katy Mixon, Shane Edelman, Maurice Burnice Harcum, Cornell Womack, Nat Benchley, Gregg Binkley, Trula M. Marcus, Carolyn Barrett, Wil Love, David E. Goodman, John Badila, Brigid Cleary, Brandi Oglesby, Stacey Walker, R.B. Brenner, Lucía Navarro, Chris Matthews, Lou Dobbs, James Vance III, Sharon Dugan, Noel Werking, Rose Coleman, Lee von Ernst, Richard Ruyle, Stuart Brazell;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
These films capture the intensity and integrity of investigative journalism and the impact it can have on society.
In conclusion, films about investigative journalism serve as powerful narratives that illuminate the crucial role of the press in uncovering truth and holding the powerful accountable. These stories not only entertain but also provoke thought about the ethical dilemmas and personal sacrifices faced by journalists in their pursuit of justice. From the gripping tension of uncovering corruption to the poignant portrayal of moral courage, these films remind us that the fight for truth can be both perilous and transformative, inspiring viewers to appreciate the vital importance of a free and fearless press in safeguarding democracy and societal integrity.
