Robert Redford, left, and Dustin Hoffman in 'All the President's Men.' Photo credit: Everett Collection
Dustin Hoffman recallsportraying Carl Bernstein — with Bernstein’s help — in the same film.
Discovery Channel presents the two-hour film at 8 p.m. April 21.
“I wanted this to feel like it was the first time you’re hearing this story even though it’s one of America’s most notorious political scandals,” Redford said in a statement. ”Juxtaposing the reality of those who perpetuated the crime and those who pursued them, alongside those who portrayed them in the film, unfolds this historical turn of events in an entirely new way.”
President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 because of the scandal, which began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee in Washington in 1972. Woodward and Bernstein covered the story for The Washington Post. Redford helped shepherd the saga to the screen in 1976. Alan Pakula directed the film, which was nominated for the picture Oscar. (“Rocky” beat “All the President’s Men,” “Network” and “Taxi Driver.”) “All the President’s Men” won Oscars for supporting actor Jason Robards, who played editor Ben Bradlee; writer William Goldman; art/set direction; and sound.
The other speakers include Bradlee, the Post’s former executive editor; Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show”; Tom Brokaw of NBC News; MSNBC host Joe Scarborough; John Dean, former general counsel to President Nixon; journalist David Frost; actor Fred Thompson, who was minority counsel to Senate Watergate committee; MSNBC host Rachel Maddow; Hugh Sloan, former treasurer of the Committee to Re-elect the President; actor Ben Stein, who was a Nixon speechwriter; former Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus; Alexander Butterfield, former deputy assistant to President Nixon; Joan Felt, daughter of Mark Felt, who was later revealed to be the crucial source “Deep Throat”; and former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman.
Discovery said the program’s speakers “reflect on the events that impacted journalism, the American presidency and the global political culture. How has Watergate changed the presidency? What effect has the scandal had on our political leaders? How useful and productive were the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Congress? And has hope and optimism forever been replaced in our national dialogue by doubt and cynicism?”
