The Post (2017), directed by Steven Spielberg, is a gripping historical drama that dives into the true story of The Washington Post’s battle to publish the Pentagon Papers—classified government documents exposing decades of U.S. deception during the Vietnam War. It’s a story about truth, power, journalism, and courage in the face of political pressure.
Detailed Summary
Opening: The War That Sparked the Scandal
The film begins in Vietnam in 1966. Military analyst Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) witnesses firsthand the U.S. government’s deceit regarding the war’s progress. Disturbed by what he sees, he copies thousands of classified pages from a government study detailing how multiple U.S. administrations had lied to the public about Vietnam.
The Pentagon Papers Leak
Ellsberg leaks the documents—later called the Pentagon Papers—to The New York Times. The Times begins publishing excerpts, revealing shocking truths. The Nixon administration quickly obtains a court injunction, halting their publication on national security grounds.
The Washington Post’s Dilemma
Meanwhile, The Washington Post, under publisher Katharine “Kay” Graham (Meryl Streep) and editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), faces its own turning point. The Post is about to go public on the stock exchange, and investors are nervous about any controversy. When The New York Times is silenced by the courts, The Washington Post suddenly has a chance to continue the story.
However, the risk is immense. Publishing could mean federal prosecution under the Espionage Act and the possible collapse of the paper.
The Fight for the Truth
Reporters Bob Odenkirk (as Ben Bagdikian) and others track down Ellsberg and obtain copies of the documents. A chaotic scene unfolds in Bradlee’s home as editors sift through thousands of pages to verify facts and determine what can legally be printed.
The core tension emerges between Bradlee’s journalistic instinct to publish and Graham’s fear of losing everything—her family’s legacy, her newspaper, and the livelihoods of her employees.
Kay Graham’s Defining Moment
In one of the film’s most powerful scenes, Graham must make the final call: to publish or not. Surrounded by (mostly male) board members urging caution, she decides to print. Her words—steady, quiet, and resolute—signal a moral victory for freedom of the press: “The only way to protect the right to publish is to publish.”
The Fallout
Once The Post runs the story, chaos ensues. The Nixon administration threatens legal action. Bradlee and Graham are vilified, but other major papers across the country soon join them in publishing portions of the Pentagon Papers, turning the issue into a national stand for press freedom.
Movie Ending
The climax comes when the Supreme Court rules in favor of The New York Times and The Washington Post in a landmark decision: the press has the right to publish information in the public interest, even if it embarrasses the government. The Court’s ruling (6–3) reinforces the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and a free press.
In the final scenes, Graham walks out of the Supreme Court building amid a sea of female admirers—young women who look up to her for breaking barriers as one of the first female publishers of a major newspaper. Her quiet strength contrasts with the political bluster surrounding her.
The film closes with an eerie transition to the next political scandal: a security guard discovering a break-in at the Watergate Hotel, foreshadowing the events that will later bring down Nixon himself. It’s a brilliant setup that connects The Post directly to the events of All the President’s Men (1976).
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Post does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes decisively with the Watergate foreshadowing, serving as both an ending and a historical bridge to the next major journalistic saga.
Type of Movie
Historical drama, political thriller, and journalism procedural. The film combines tense newsroom drama with broader political and ethical commentary.
Cast
- Meryl Streep as Katharine “Kay” Graham
- Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee
- Sarah Paulson as Tony Bradlee
- Bob Odenkirk as Ben Bagdikian
- Tracy Letts as Fritz Beebe
- Bradley Whitford as Arthur Parsons
- Bruce Greenwood as Robert McNamara
- Matthew Rhys as Daniel Ellsberg
- Jesse Plemons as Roger Clark
Film Music and Composer
The score is composed by John Williams, marking his 28th collaboration with Spielberg. The music is restrained yet deeply emotional, underscoring moments of ethical tension and personal courage. It avoids bombast, reflecting the film’s intellectual and moral intensity.
Filming Locations
The Post was primarily filmed in New York City and White Plains, New York, with additional scenes shot in Washington, D.C. Iconic interiors—like The Washington Post’s newsroom—were recreated using authentic designs and period-accurate props to replicate the 1970s journalistic environment.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Awards (Oscars): Nominated for Best Picture and Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
- Golden Globe Awards: Nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director (Spielberg), Best Actress, and Best Actor
- BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Film and Best Actress
- National Board of Review: Named Best Film of 2017
While it didn’t sweep the Oscars, it was widely praised as one of the most socially relevant films of its year.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Spielberg made The Post incredibly fast: from the script’s approval to release took less than nine months, partly because he felt its themes were vital in the Trump-era debates about press freedom.
- Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks worked together for the first time in their legendary careers.
- The newsroom set was built to look exactly like the 1971 Washington Post office—complete with actual vintage typewriters and phones.
- Spielberg used real newspapers for authenticity rather than digital props.
- Many actors improvised small moments to capture the chaotic energy of a real newsroom.
Inspirations and References
The Post is inspired by true events—specifically, the publication of the Pentagon Papers. The screenplay, written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer, drew heavily from historical accounts, interviews with surviving journalists, and official court records. It also serves as a thematic prequel to All the President’s Men.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Spielberg reportedly filmed a longer ending that showed the immediate aftermath in the newsroom after the Supreme Court decision, but it was trimmed to strengthen the emotional focus on Graham’s empowerment. Some minor dialogue scenes involving Ellsberg’s later life were also cut for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not based on a specific book, the film pulls from multiple real-life sources, including Katharine Graham’s autobiography Personal History (which won a Pulitzer Prize). The film dramatizes events for narrative clarity but remains largely faithful to historical truth.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Ellsberg copying the Pentagon Papers at night in eerie silence
- The heated debate in Graham’s home as lawyers and editors argue whether to publish
- Graham’s phone call authorizing publication—a pivotal moment of courage
- The courtroom verdict scene and the celebratory yet somber newsroom afterward
Iconic Quotes
- Kay Graham: “The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”
- Ben Bradlee: “If we don’t hold them accountable, who will?”
- Kay Graham: “We can’t let men tell us what we can and cannot do.”
- Ben Bradlee: “The only way to assert the right to publish is to publish.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Watergate scene at the end directly mirrors the opening of All the President’s Men.
- Spielberg uses authentic Washington Post logos from 1971, recreated from original archives.
- The Pentagon Papers seen in the film were recreated from real declassified documents.
- Spielberg’s cameo voice can be heard faintly in a crowd scene—one of his rare self-insert touches.
Trivia
- The script for The Post was on Hollywood’s Black List (best unproduced screenplays) before Spielberg picked it up.
- Spielberg shot the movie on 35mm film for a warm, vintage aesthetic.
- Meryl Streep didn’t meet her character’s real-life children until after filming.
- Many of the extras were actual journalists and historians.
Why Watch?
Because The Post isn’t just a movie—it’s a vital lesson in the importance of a free press and moral courage. It’s a love letter to journalism, a showcase of powerhouse performances, and a timeless reminder that truth matters, even when it’s inconvenient.
Director’s Other Movies
- Schindler’s List (1993)
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Bridge of Spies (2015)
- Lincoln (2012)
- Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- Munich (2005)
