Bob Woodward, who was portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1976 investigative drama the Watergate Film, offered heartfelt praise to the late actor, calling him “a noble and principled force for good”.
Five Decades of Camaraderie
Through a post made on social media, Woodward disclosed that he and Redford shared a bond for half a century and that he “held him in high regard” for his loyal companionship, his fierce autonomy, and his commitment to leveraging his stature to enhance global equity, fairer, and more hopeful for people everywhere.
The Actor’s Impact on Investigative Journalism
Woodward highlighted that Redford played a key role in exposing the historic political crisis, encouraging both Woodward and Carl Bernstein to recount the events through the lens of their firsthand reporting. This collaboration resulted in the publication of their nonfiction account All the President’s Men in June 1974, which preceded the president’s stepping down months afterward. Redford later acquired the film adaptation rights and appeared alongside Dustin Hoffman in the acclaimed cinematic version.
Reflections on Relevance
Woodward mentioned recent conversations with Redford, in which the actor stated that he had revisited All the President’s Men in recent years and was “astonished” by how appropriate and timely it remained, adding that “little has really changed”. Redford commented, “We don’t have Nixon any more, we have Trump”.
“We live in a country where we can’t call ourselves the USA. We just can’t. We’re the Divided States of America because of the partisan divisions and they’re so robust in their fears.”
A Warning About Threats to Liberty
Redford also commented regarding the former president, after Woodward suggested that Trump was undermining democracy. “He lacks comprehension of democratic principles”, Redford stated. “Hence, dismantling it becomes simple. Ignorance facilitates destruction. One may even deny its very existence.”