An Overview Of The Film

The Post: A Detailed Analysis of the 2017 Political Thriller

An Overview of the Film

The Post, released in 2017, is a critically acclaimed American political thriller film that revolves around The Washington Post and the publication of the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study detailing the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War.

Directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, and Tracy Letts.

The Pentagon Papers and the Cover-Up

The Pentagon Papers, a 7,000-page study commissioned by the US Department of Defense and leaked to The New York Times by American military analyst Daniel Ellsberg, revealed a decades-long cover-up regarding the US's involvement in Vietnam.

The papers disclosed that the government had misled the American public and Congress about the war's progress and its true costs. President Nixon's administration attempted to suppress the publication of the papers, leading to an intense legal battle between the government and the press.

The Washington Post's Role

The Washington Post, under the leadership of publisher Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) and editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), played a pivotal role in publishing the Pentagon Papers.

Despite threats of legal action and economic ruin, Graham and Bradlee made the courageous decision to publish the papers, believing that the public had the right to know the truth. Their actions sparked a landmark Supreme Court case, New York Times Co. v. United States, which ultimately affirmed the freedom of the press to publish sensitive information in the public interest.

Critical Acclaim and Cultural Impact

The Post received widespread critical acclaim for its gripping plot, stellar performances, and timely exploration of the role of the press in a democratic society.

The film garnered numerous awards, including two Academy Awards (for Best Actress for Meryl Streep and Best Original Score), four Golden Globes, and a BAFTA Award for Best Film.