This interesting film providing powerful performances deals with a corrupt politician's ascension to power and his subsequent fall, he is called Will Stark : Broderick Crawford in his break-through character . As it follows the rise of a Louisiana farm-boy from honest and angry politician hopeful to powerful but sinister governor . This ruthless , corrupt politician won't stop at nothing to get his purports and at whatever cost . Freely based on on the life of Huey Long and told by a newsman : John Ireland , who's followed his career . Stark while appearing to improve the state , rules dictatorially and tyrannically , betraying constituents and friends and proving once again that power corrupts . Time brings all things to light . Some people will do anything to gain power . Some will dobanything to keep it . He might have been a pretty good guy .. if too much power..and women..Hadn't gone to his head ! He thought he had the world by the tail , till exploded in his face with a bullet attached!.
This is a provoking and thoughful studio with potent morality concerning the misuse of power , giving a raw and shocking portrait of the human ambition . Seen today, this graphic and classy movie retains its potency, intelligence and relevance. Broderick Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge won Academy Award for their work in this rendition of Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that was also adapted in 2006 by Steven Zaillian with Sean Penn, Jude Law , Kate Winslet , Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo , Patricia Clarkson . This starring character is actually inspired by by egoistic and corrupt Louisiana state governor Huey Long that has been magnificently realised as a movie by Robert Rossen. This 1949 vintage retellling is better than the 2006 modern adaptation , displaying a very good main and support cast, such as : the burly Broderick Crawford who captures the selfish and ambitious politician to the last shady scowl , John Ireland is pretty good as the ingenuous journalist who helps him , Joanne Dru as his girlfriend and Mercedes McCambridge who in his first major character delivers an awesome acting as the cunning political aide and others in minor roles as a very young John Derek , Shepperd Strudwick , Anne Seymour, among others .
It contains an atmospheric and adequate musical score by Gruenberg , as well as an evocative cinematography in black and white by the great cameraman Burnett Guffey and capturing perfectly the sad ambient of the Great Depression . The motion picture was was directed by Robert Rossen who also wrote It . It won the best picture Oscar in its year , as well as best actor for Broderick Crawford and best supporting Mercedes McCambridge on her film debut . Robert Rossen was a good screenwriter and filmmaker who made nice films , such as : "Body and Soul" , "Lilith" , "The Hustler", "Alexander the Great" , "They came to Cordura". Rating : 7.5/10 . Better than average .
This is a provoking and thoughful studio with potent morality concerning the misuse of power , giving a raw and shocking portrait of the human ambition . Seen today, this graphic and classy movie retains its potency, intelligence and relevance. Broderick Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge won Academy Award for their work in this rendition of Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that was also adapted in 2006 by Steven Zaillian with Sean Penn, Jude Law , Kate Winslet , Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo , Patricia Clarkson . This starring character is actually inspired by by egoistic and corrupt Louisiana state governor Huey Long that has been magnificently realised as a movie by Robert Rossen. This 1949 vintage retellling is better than the 2006 modern adaptation , displaying a very good main and support cast, such as : the burly Broderick Crawford who captures the selfish and ambitious politician to the last shady scowl , John Ireland is pretty good as the ingenuous journalist who helps him , Joanne Dru as his girlfriend and Mercedes McCambridge who in his first major character delivers an awesome acting as the cunning political aide and others in minor roles as a very young John Derek , Shepperd Strudwick , Anne Seymour, among others .
It contains an atmospheric and adequate musical score by Gruenberg , as well as an evocative cinematography in black and white by the great cameraman Burnett Guffey and capturing perfectly the sad ambient of the Great Depression . The motion picture was was directed by Robert Rossen who also wrote It . It won the best picture Oscar in its year , as well as best actor for Broderick Crawford and best supporting Mercedes McCambridge on her film debut . Robert Rossen was a good screenwriter and filmmaker who made nice films , such as : "Body and Soul" , "Lilith" , "The Hustler", "Alexander the Great" , "They came to Cordura". Rating : 7.5/10 . Better than average .