All language subtitles for The.Post.2017.BluRay.x264-GECKOS.CHI

Original subtitles by sud_arun
colored and improved by zer0_

(Helicopter whirring)

♪.. Well, take me back down
where cool water flow, yeh

(overlapping chatter)

♪.. Let me remember
things I love

Dan. Your rifle.

Soldier: all right, do them all.

First and second squad, too.

♪.. Stoppin' at the log
where catfish bite

who's the longhair?

That's ellsberg. Works for
lansdale at the embassy.

He's observing.

♪.. I can hear the
bull frog callin' me

♪.. wonder if my rope's
still hangin' to the tree

platoon leader: let's move out.

Soldier: let's go. Moving out.

♪.. Love to kick my feet
way down the shallow water

♪.. shoe fly, dragon fly,
get back to your mother

I'll take good care of it.

♪.. Skip it across
green river ..♪

(Insects trilling)

- (Gunfire)
- (Men shouting)

(Groaning)

Bravo 27, this is kilo 4 tango.

(Grunts)

Fire mission. Grid 298471.

- (Groans)
- Daniel: lay down.

(Indistinct chatter)

Just hang in there, buddy.
They're gonna fix you up.

(Soldier groaning)

Man: Dan?

Dan?

Dan!

Secretary would like a word.
You wanna follow me?

Robert: well, you can say what
you want to the president.

I've read every one of
ellsberg's reports...

And I'm telling you,
it's just not the case.

Dan, you know Mr. Komer.

He's been discussing the
war with the president...

And, well, his sense
is that we've made

real progress over
the past year...

But I've been doing my own
review, and it seems to me...

That things have gotten worse.

But neither of us have
been in the field.

You have, you're
the one who knows.

So, what do you say?

Are things better or worse?

Well, Mr. Secretary...

What I'm most impressed by is
how much things are the same.

You see, that's exactly
what I'm saying.

We put another hundred
thousand troops

into the field,
things are no better.

To me, that means things
are actually worse.

Thank you, Dan.

Man: Mr. Secretary!

(Reporters
clamoring)

Mr. Secretary! Sir!

Andrews: how was your trip, sir?
Sir.

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

I don't have any
prepared remarks...

But I'd be very happy to take
your questions one at a time.

- Jim.
- Mr. Secretary...

I'm wondering if
the trip left you

optimistic or pessimistic...

About our prospects in this war
and our ability to win it.

He asked whether I was
optimistic or pessimistic.

Today, I can tell you
that military progress

over the past 12 months...

Has exceeded our expectations.

We're very encouraged by what
we're seeing in Vietnam.

In every respect, we're
making progress.

And I'm especially
pleased to have had

Bob komer along for the trip.

So he could see for himself

that we've been showing
great improvement...

In every dimension
of the war effort.

(Reporters clamoring)

Derek.

(Inhales sharply)

(Drawer slams shut)

Good night, Dan.

- Good night, Dan.
- Night, guys.

You okay, Dan?

Yeah. Yeah, thought
I'd forgot something.

I didn't.

Next left on Melrose.

Truman: we have committed
ourselves to the cause...

Of a just and
peaceful world order

through the united nations.

Daniel: "may 3rd, 1950.

"President Truman
approved $10 million

"in military aid to indochina."

Dwight eisenhower:
America's leadership

and prestige depend...

On how we use our power in the
interests of world peace.

Daniel: "I feel concerned
about paragraph six...

"Which gives
authority to control

"general elections in Vietnam."

John F. Kennedy: the united
states, as the world knows,

will never start a war.

Daniel: "may 11th, 1961.

"President Kennedy orders

"a full examination by the
defense department...

"Of a possible commitment of U.S.
forces to Vietnam."

Lyndon Johnson: we are not
about to send American boys...

9 or 10,000 miles
away from home...

To do what Asian boys ought
to be doing for themselves.

"President Johnson chose to
reaffirm the Kennedy policies.

"Military operations
should be initiated

"under close political control."

(Gasps)

(Sighs)

(Sighs heavily)

Kay: (Stuttering) can
we just do the numbers

just one more time?

The company's selling
how many shares?

Kay: 1.35 million shares.

And the price range is?

Between $24.50 and
$27 per share.

Not exactly a huge difference.

For them. But, you
know, the bankers

always do fiddle
with the prices.

But for us, that's
over $3 million...

And that represents
over five years' salary

for 25 good reporters.

Good. But why spend
in the newsroom?

You're far less profitable

than gannett or
knight or ridder.

Gannett and knight and ridder

own monopoly papers
in smaller cities.

And our readers are
leaders, you know.

They're educated.
They demand more.

That's why we invest in
really good reporters.

And so...

Because quality
and profitability

do go hand in hand.

(Sighs)

- See?
- Yeah.

You know all this already.

(Laughs)
oh, gosh!

I don't know if I do.

- I should get to breakfast.
- Yeah.

We don't want Paul or Arthur
too antsy this afternoon.

No.

Good luck.

- And thank you, Fritz.
- Mmm-hmm.

- See you downtown.
- I'll see you.

You think this is
really necessary?

Oh, god, yes.

Darling, you should hear how
they talk at these meetings.

It's as if it's in a
foreign language.

No, I meant taking
the company public.

It seems we are cash poor.

You know, barely solvent.

That's the newspaper business.

That's our newspaper business...

And we need the public offering

to stay in business and
to continue to grow.

That's what Fritz says.

And he also says that the family

can maintain control if we...

Anyway, I'm just not
sure your grandfather...

Would have wanted us to
give up any control at all.

(Phone rings)

Hello?

woman: Mrs.
Graham?

Yes? This is she.

Please hold for the
chief of staff.

Who is it?

Haldeman.

Haldeman: Mrs. Graham,
Bob haldeman.

Yes, hello.

We've got a bit of
an issue over here.

Oh?

Man 1: well, that
makes perfect sense.

Do you agree with that?

Man 2: without a doubt.

(Chattering continues)

(Breathing heavily)

Oh, Jesus.

I'm so sorry.

- Sorry, sorry, sorry.
- Good morning.

So late. I had to get all
this stuff together...

And then I had an
unexpected call.

Well, what is with the suitcase?

Ben, I told you,
this is the day.

We're meeting with
the bankers today.

- Oh, yes. Right, right.
- You know this.

I bet you every
dollar in my wallet

that you are the only person...

In that boardroom who's read
through all that nonsense.

(Laughs) I'm probably the
only one who needs to.

What do you think
of Neil sheehan?

Oh, gosh, his
coverage of Vietnam

is just absolutely marvelous.

Why?

You thinking of trying to
steal him from the times?

I'm not sure we can afford him.

He... he hasn't had a
piece in three months.

Oh?

Do you think he's
onto something?

Well, I saw Abe at a
dinner party last week

and he was looking
mighty, mighty smug.

Doesn't he always?
(Chuckles)

So who was it?

Who was what?

Your unexpected call.

(Gasps) oh, I buried the lede.

The white house.

- Haldeman rang.
- Yeah?

It seems the president
has decided

not to provide Judith...

With credentials to cover
the Nixon wedding.

- Jesus Christ.
- Yeah.

They said we could
send another reporter.

Oh, yeah? Can't believe that.

(Sighs)

I know, I know.

- But...
- But what?

I'm not sure I entirely blame

the president on this one, Ben.

No?

Would you want Judith to cover
your daughter's wedding?

Well, my daughter's
only 10 years old...

I think she burned her Bridges

when she crashed
Julie's reception.

- They're being punitive.
- Her pen is so sharp.

- Of course it's punitive.
- This is punitive.

Of course it's punitive.

She compared tricia Nixon to
a vanilla ice cream cone.

(Laughs) yeah, she did.

Yeah.

I mean, why would her
father want Judy

to cover his daughter's wedding?

Oh, come on.

I just...

Are you sure we're striking
the right tone here, Ben?

Oh, we're gonna do this again?

No. Uh, the new style section.

Sometimes that stiletto party
coverage can be a little mean.

I'm handling it. I'm
looking for a new editor.

Yes, are you? Because I know

I've talked to you
about this before.

You are losing female
readership, you know.

And I think you might
want to focus more

on what women read...

Katharine, keep your
finger outta my eye.

You...
(Inhales)

(Humming)

These breakfasts were
your idea, you know.

Yes. And you are the publisher
and you are my boss.

And I, uh... I value the input,

but I... I heard you
the first three times.

You know, I just think there
might be another way...

That we could cool it
with the white house.

Maybe we could just send
somebody else, you know...

Nope, nope. Nope. I'm not
gonna send another reporter.

Because it's not hard news, Ben.

It's just a wedding.

It's not just a wedding.

It's a wedding of the daughter

of the president of
the United States.

Why not let that
girl have her day?

And we can't have
an administration

dictating to us our coverage...

Just because they don't like

what we print about
them in our newspaper.

(Chuckles)

Wonder if Abe cares
so passionately

about who covers the
wedding for his paper.

I don't give a rat's ass
what Abe or anybody

at the New York
times cares about.

Not true. I give one rat's ass.

(Chuckles) yeah.

One retromingent...

Rat's ass.

(Both
laugh)

(Newsroom chattering)

Man: well, it's real important.

Can you get him for me?

Tell them it's from sheehan.
Don't walk.

(Traffic noises)

(Car horns honking)

(Brakes screech)

(Panting)

It's from sheehan.

(Siren blaring outside)

Abe, here it is.

Howard: okay, broder's got Nixon

working on his second term.

Osnos has something on g.I.S
buying heroin in Saigon...

But Ryder's got a
rocket on the FBI list

of potential subversives.

Ben: save it for the afternoon.

I need chal and Judith.

Howard: Judith!

Ben: is that real, the
subversives list?

Oh, yeah. Hoover and
justice keep a copy.

Thousands of names.

Geyelin heard the white house
is shutting Judith out.

Yeah, I'm working on that.

We think editorial
should run something.

I just heard somebody say
they're working on that.

Well, if the white house is

gonna take a stance like that...

Don't you think we
should plant a flag?

Did you see sheehan at the
kissinger press conference?

Bagdikian: no.

What about the al haig thing?

No, times sent the new kid.

The new kid, huh?

You think sheehan's
onto something.

Yeah.

Well, Neil has been
known to disappear.

No, no. I'm telling
you, he has something.

You want me to do
a little digging?

No, that's below your pay grade.

Intern!

You working on anything
important, chief?

Uh, no, Mr. Bradlee.

Well, everything we do is
important at the post.

Yeah. That's $40.

I want you to take the first
train up to New York...

And go to the times
building on 43rd.

Don't tell them who
you work for...

But find a reporter by
the name of sheehan.

Uh, Neil sheehan?

Yeah, yeah, find out what
Neil sheehan is working on.

Is that legal?

Well, what is it you think we
do here for a living, kid?

Get a receipt for the tickets.

Yeah.

(Elevator dings)

(Sighs)

Man: morning, Mrs. Graham.

Hello, morning.

(Indistinct chatter)

Kay: hello. Morning, everybody.

- Hi, oz.
- Mrs. Graham.

Morning, Arthur.

Hello. Hello, everyone.

So, everyone's here.

- Hello, ray. My Galahad.
- Good morning.

(Chuckles) thank you.

(Clears throat)

And I used to be the only one

who brought his
homework to class.

(Laughter)

I think we're all here.
Should we get started?

Didn't you crash the wedding

of Nixon's other
daughter to get a story?

Well, I did get a story but I
didn't crash Julie's wedding.

No, just the reception
afterwards, right?

There is a distinction.

Not to the father of the bride.

He's paying per plate.

I think the American people
are paying per plate.

Howard: wait, let's do
a story about that.

- Yeah, let's...
- Judith should crash again.

I didn't crash Julie's wedding.

What would you call it, Judith?

Well, I would call
it deft reportage.

All right, come on,
come on, everybody.

How are we gonna cover
this Nixon-Cox wedding?

Uh... who else is
gonna be there?

- Here.
- Judith's got the guest list.

No, I mean of the other press.

The times, the sun, the globe,
all the international papers.

All right.

So, we call them, we
call all of them...

And we say Nixon
has shut us out...

And then we ask them
for their notes.

Ben, there's no way in hell
anyone's gonna give me a fill.

No, it'll be an act
of solidarity.

They'll be defending
the first amendment.

We'll tell them
that the only way

to protect the right
to publish...

Is to publish.

I don't understand.

You said we'd set
the price at $27.

No, we said there was a range.

And the demand on the
road show was soft.

Why not set it at $26?
Or $25 even?

Well, Paul, we feel
that setting the price

at $24.50 would be more prudent.

It's just a couple bucks.

It's not just a couple of bucks.

It's 1.35 million shares...

So it is...

Three million.

Over $3 million less. That's
a lot to a newspaper.

How many reporters is that?

It's 25.

Let's not get bogged down.

Paul: it has to be quite a few.

Arthur: at least a dozen. Fritz?

It's 25 reporters.

Twenty-five reporters.

Twenty-five reporters.

Gentlemen, we know
it's not ideal...

But a few of our investors

balked at the nature
of the company.

They don't like newspapers?

They like gannett and
knight and ridder...

But frankly they're concerned

about your ability to
turn a serious profit.

Gannett and knight and ridder

own monopoly papers
in smaller markets.

That's why they're
more profitable.

The whole point of the
offering is to grow...

While investing in the
quality of the paper.

Kay and I have talked a
great deal about this...

And we believe that
improving quality...

Will naturally lead to
greater profitability.

Unfortunate.

It's more than unfortunate.

Doesn't this happen
all the time?

Bankers lowering the price for
their institutional investors.

Fritz, isn't this
what we discussed?

I think the family
should consider

giving up some control.

- Maybe another board seat.
- Absolutely not.

This isn't a surprise, Fritz.
Ever since Phil's accident...

Fritz: Arthur.

No offense, Kay.
It's unfortunate...

But the buyers are
obviously skittish

about having a
woman in charge...

And it's not like
it's an easy sell.

It's a local paper with modest
margins, modest ambitions.

Paul: I think Mr. Bradlee
would take issue

with that characterization.

Arthur: sure, she pads
his budget every year.

Call my office. Tell
them I'm going to

miss my lunch at occidental.

Another dozen reporters.
For what?

To nip at the heels
of the times?

So we can pretend like

we're even remotely
in the same league?

Make it a five o'clock
drink at the Jefferson.

Fritz: Arthur, Kay was right.
Lazard is just trying...

To cut a better deal
by squeezing us.

Arthur: come on, Fritz.

Why do you think that is?

Fritz: because they're bankers.

Arthur: which is why
they want more control.

They want assurances

that she's not gonna
squander it all.

I mean, come on.

Fritz, Kay throws
a great party...

But her father gave the
paper to her husband.

The only reason she's
running things

is because he...
Because Phil died.

Don't get me wrong, I think
she is a lovely woman.

But she got rid
of al friendly...

And brought in a pirate

who does nothing but
bleed our margins.

I mean, you can't be surprised

that the buyers are concerned...

That she doesn't
have the resolve

to turn a serious profit.

Kay, it's your decision...

But in my opinion,
if you want this

to be more than a
little family paper...

It has to be more than a
little family business.

Thank you, Arthur,
for your frankness.

All right.

We're set?

Liz: all set, Mr. Parsons.

Accident...

(Door
closes)

(Stutters)

It wasn't an accident.

Phil's suicide.

I don't know why people insist
on calling it an accident.

Is it to make them feel better?

Or do they think
they're being kind?

I don't know, I don't know.

So, do you think I should

give up more seats on the board?

Of course not.

We're going to be fine.

Hmm.

This passage in the prospectus,

I read it earlier today.

Oh, yes.

"In the unlikely
instance of disaster

"or catastrophic event...

"In the week following the
initial public offering...

"Lazard frères and
company retains

"full right to
cancel the issue."

It's boilerplate, Kay.

It's standard
contractual language.

(Stutters)

But, so, the bankers
could pull out.

Only if there's a true disaster.

Ben gets hit by a truck...

(Chuckles) the world runs
outta newspaper ink...

(Sighs)

The truck goes around the block

and hits Ben again...

(Both
laugh)

You think one of
those is possible.

No, I don't...

But, you know, the
Nixon white house

is nothing if not vindictive.

Just this morning...

They barred us from covering
tricia Nixon's wedding.

Somehow, I doubt that will rise

to the level of catastrophe.

I know. Probably not.

Although, when Ben sets
his mind to plunder...

It's not hard to imagine
something more serious.

Catastrophic events...

Do occur, you know.

Yeah, but the right to
cancel is only for a week.

A week from the public offering.

Seven days after they ring
that bell on Tuesday...

The deal is done.

Hmm.

It's gonna be fine, Kay.

(Chattering)

- (Horn honks)
- Jesus.

Do you know what floor
the newsroom's on?

Five.

Uh, no, no, six, yeah. Six.

(Elevator dings)

(Overlapping conversations)

Man 1: things are heating
up in east Pakistan?

Man 2: well, five
million refugees

could destabilize west bengal.

So, Lindsay's lowering
the boom tomorrow.

They gotta cut 100 million.

Gonna be some blood on the
floor of Gracie mansion.

I heard the mayors gave
it to Nixon in Philly.

Yeah, tolchin's down there.
He's filing.

Take a look at this.

Any of you guys see that
piece on the hijacking?

Jeez, there's been
another hijacking?

You think six pages is enough?

Well, we got three columns on
the front page. I'll take it.

- On the flight?
- On the flight.

Can I help you, Mac?

Just delivering a package to Mr.
Meetson.

Mattson. I'll see
that he gets it.

Art: I knew a couple

whose yacht was shipwrecked
in the south pacific.

(Laughing and groaning)

art: hold
on, quiet.

I knew a couple whose yacht

was shipwrecked in
the south pacific.

It looks bleak, so
the man asks...

"Does the will take care of
the kids?" His wife nods.

"What about your mother?" "Yes."

"Okay, did we donate to Nixon?"

His wife shakes her head. "Yes."

"Did we pledge or give?"

"We pledged."

"Thank god," shouts the man.
"Nixon'll find us.

"We're saved!"

(All laughing)

Joe: well, speaking of Nixon,
I just talked to kissinger...

Who was going on about the
end of the China embargo.

He's convinced it's a rather
clever geopolitical move.

I think this is our cue, ladies.

Someone at this
table of luminaries

must have an idea
what they're up to.

I wonder what his buddy
Joe McCarthy would say.

The new style section
did a lovely piece

on Lawrence durrell.

It's about time style
had a good piece.

I think it's a bit improved.

I hear he's at work on
another series of novels.

I hear he's at work on
finding a fourth wife.

I will say, he's one of
the few individuals...

Who could probably cozy
up to communist China...

Without fear of major
political cost.

Eh, but is Nixon that smart?

He never laughed at
one of my jokes.

(Laughing)

Oh, Kay, I don't
know how you do it.

I don't know how you
keep up with it all

when you have this day job.

(Laughing)

You need to read more books.

Kay, could I have just a word?

(Chattering)

Um...

Everything all right?

- Marg okay?
- Yes, she's fine.

Said the procedure
went very well.

Oh, good, I've
been meaning to...

I...

I wanted to tell you,

and I want you to
hear from me first...

There's an article about me

coming out in the
times tomorrow.

It's not flattering.

Harry: (On TV) running? Me?

Now, you know me
better than that.

Mary: three days and three
nights and not a word.

Harry: well, I've
been very busy.

Mary: for all I
knew you were lying

in the gutter somewhere...

With a knife in your back.

Harry: lying in the gutter?

(Phone rings)

Now, look, sweetheart, I'll
tell you what happened.

- I was in Birmingham.
- (Ben sighs)

Mary: Birmingham?

Hello?

Kay: hello, Ben.

Hello, Katharine.

I'm sorry to bother you so late.

Listen, were you able to make
any headway with Mr. Sheehan?

(Groans) no, no. I haven't.

I just had an odd conversation
with Bob McNamara...

And I think the times may
have a big story tomorrow.

(Sighs) oh, damn it.

You know, he wouldn't
give me any details...

But Bob said it was quite
detrimental to him and...

Ben!

We got 'em.

(Ben
sighs)

We got 'em.

Huh?

- Yeah, quite good.
- The happy couple.

- Hey, chief!
- Mr. Bradlee.

So, did you track down sheehan?

No, but, I saw a mock-up
of tomorrow's front page.

There's a big gap.

Nothing there but the name.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit!

- Give us three.
- Here you go.

Here, here, here.
Thank you, thank you.

Thanks, got it.

Female operator:
general haig, sir.

- Nixon: hi, al.
- haig: yes, sir.

Nixon: what about the
casualties last week?

You got that figure yet?

Haig: no, sir, but I think
it's gonna be quite low.

Nixon: fine.

Okay. Nothing else of
interest in the world today?

Haig: yes, sir.
Very significant...

This goddamn New
York times expose...

of the most highly classified

documents of the war.

Nixon: you mean that was
leaked out of the Pentagon?

Haig: the whole study that
was done for McNamara.

This is a devastating,
uh, security breach...

Of the greatest magnitude
of anything I've ever seen.

Nixon: well, what's being
done about it then?

Did we know this was coming out?

Haig: no, we did not, sir.

Female operator: I
have doctor kissinger.

Nixon: Henry, the thing to
me is just unconscionable.

This is treasonable
action on the part

of the bastards that put it out.

Kissinger: I'm
absolutely certain...

That this violates all
sorts of security laws.

Nixon: people have gotta
be put to the torch

for this sort of thing.

Christ! McNamara knew
we couldn't win in '65.

That's six goddamn years ago.

Well, at least we
got the wedding.

Is anybody else tired
of reading the news

instead of reporting it?

Do we have any leads?

There's a guy Phil and
I know in Boston...

Who worked at defense

when McNamara
commissioned the study.

All right, call him.

Anybody else?

So that's it?

Our best goddamn lead is
coming from editorial?

(Scoffs) well, we are
sucking hind tit

in our own backyard.

Ben, come on, it's one story.

No, it's 7,000 pages...

Detailing how the
white house has been

lying about the Vietnam
war for 30 years.

It's Truman and eisenhower
and Jack and lbj lying.

Lying about Vietnam.

And you think that's one story?

Let's do our jobs.

Find those pages!

Ben, uh...

I might have something. Maybe.

Well, let me know when it's
a little less wishy-washy.

I'm gonna go chase
down a lead of my own.

Kay: why don't you cut your
bangs, just a little bit?

Mummy, I'm right in the middle.

(Kay sighs)

It's a bit hard to
read, isn't it?

Harder for you, I imagine.

No.

Why?

These were your people...

McNamara and Kennedy
and Johnson.

Well, Jack and lyndon were
your father's friends.

You flew down to
Texas with lyndon

the weekend after
his convention.

That's your fault. You wanted
to see his helicopter land.

And the instant he saw you,
he invited you to the ranch.

Oh, well, he just wanted
the paper to endorse.

Yes, but my point is

you had Steve and
bill waiting at home.

- You had houseguests...
- I know.

Waiting at the farm.

You had nothing but dirty
clothes in your suitcase.

How do you know what I
had in my suitcase?

Yet you jumped on air force one,

spent the weekend...

I did not jump.

Swimming and speed-boating...

You and luvie Pearson
said I had to go!

With lyndon and lady bird.

It's hard to say...

"No" to the president
of the United States.

- (Both chuckle)
- (Doorbell rings)

Were you expecting someone?

At this hour?

I hope I'm not too early.

Not at all. Must be urgent.

Lally: where's your sister?

(Pamela speaking indistinctly)

Lally: that's my tea, darling.

Where's your sister?
Let's go find her.

(Whispers) let's go find her.

I trust you saw the
New York times.

Hmm.

The study, the one they
are working off of...

That was commissioned
by Robert McNamara.

Yeah.

And if he commissioned it,
he might have a copy.

(Grunts, chuckles)

(Chuckling)

I don't need to tell you
that finding a source...

It's like finding a
needle in a haystack.

I don't need the metaphor.

Well, I haven't been a writer

for a while so
that old cliche...

That was the best comparison
I could come up with.

I need a copy of
that study, Kay.

Give her the ball, Ben.
(Laughs)

- Here you go.
- Thank you.

You know, Ben, as
much as I do relish

a good investigative
assignment...

Bob McNamara is an old friend.

He's going through a lot
in his life right now.

I just think he's probably
said all he wants to say.

Why do you think?

- Why?
- Why?

Why is he talking to you?

Well, I just told you,
he's my friend and...

Is he talking to
any other friends?

I'm not sure

I appreciate the implication
of what you just said.

McNamara is talking to you...

Because you are the publisher
of the Washington post.

That's not true. No,
that is not why.

Because he wants you
to bail him out.

Because he wants
you on his side.

No, there's no ulterior... No!

Ben, that's not my role.
You know that.

I wouldn't presume to tell
you how to write about him.

Just as I wouldn't
take it upon myself...

To tell him he should hand
over a classified study...

Which would be a
crime, by the way...

Just so he can serve
as your source.

Our source, Katharine.

No. Uh... no...

I'm not. I'm not going to
ask Bob for the study.

All right.

I get it. You have
a relationship

with Bob McNamara.

But don't you think you
have an obligation as well

to the paper and to the public?

Let me ask you something.

Was that how you
felt when you were

palling around
with Jack Kennedy?

Where was your sense
of duty then?

I don't recall you pushing him
particularly hard on anything.

(Chuckles) I pushed
Jack when I had to.

I never pulled any punches.

Is that right?

'Cause you used to dine at
the white house once a week.

All the trips to camp David.

Oh, and that drunken
birthday cruise

on the sequoia you
told me about.

Hard to believe you would have

gotten all those invitations...

If you didn't pull
a few punches.

Newscaster: street
protests broke out today

across the country...

After the publication
of more excerpts...

From a classified
department of defense study

in the New York times.

The study, commissioned

by former secretary of
defense Robert McNamara...

Has ignited further debate

over the ongoing
war in Vietnam...

As it makes clear that
Kennedy and Johnson...

As well as eisenhower
and Truman,

deeply misled the
country on Vietnam.

The bombshell
series has appeared

for the last two days
in the New York times.

(Chanting) we don't
want your stinking war.

One, two, three, four.

We don't want your stinking war.

♪.. I've walked and I've crawled
on six crooked highways ..♪

Man: not for what is politic
but for what is right.

Woman: right!

Like my brother Mario said...

"There is a time
when the operation

"of the machine
becomes so odious...

"That you've got to put
your body upon the gears...

"And upon the wheels,
and upon the levers...

"And you've got
to make it stop."

(Chanting) one, two, three four.

We don't want your stinking war.

Man: someone gives up his life,

so that the president...

Doesn't have to admit something

the entire world already knows.

Your dinner with Mr.
and Mrs. Rosenthal

is at seven in the oak room...

And then I'll meet
you tomorrow morning

in the lobby at eight...

So you'll have plenty of time

to get downtown
before the offering.

And the breakfast.

Howard: "all designed to
meet these five desiderata."

(Phone rings)

Bagdikian.

Harry: it's Harry Rowen.

Hey, uh, let me call you back
from outside the newsroom.

Excuse me, are you important?

I'm a general
assignment reporter.

Okay.

Uh, I think I got something.

Be my guest.

Ben: can we lose the New York
times from the nut graph?

Ben, they are the
source of the story.

Every time I read the New
York times above the fold...

- Mr. Bradlee?
- No.

I feel like somebody's shoving
a hot poker up my ass.

Chalmers: all right,
just say the times,

and drop it a graph
below the fold.

Howard: there you go.

Ben: that would be less painful.

I think I got something.

Ben: "mcnaughton had
McNamara plan for action."

Well, that's two months
before the election.

"Suggested sending large numbers

"of U.S. forces to interlard."

"Interlard"?

Where'd you get these?

Somebody left them on my desk.

Ben: all these guys
sound like they sleep

with a damn thesaurus.

So mcnaughton was secretly
suggesting to McNamara...

To provoke the north so we'd

have grounds for escalation?

chalmers:
yep.

Yeah, it was in the
times article.

It was a good piece. You
should check it out.

- It was well-written.
- Jesus Christ.

Give it to someone who can't
type 91 words a minute...

And have it proofed, okay?

- Ben?
- Yeah?

I think we got something.

What is it?

Jesus Christ.

Shit. Are these

part of the pages of
the McNamara study?

Where did you get these?

Somebody left them on my desk.

On your desk?

- I didn't... it was a woman.
- A woman?

We got over 100 pages of
the McNamara study here.

A hippie woman.

Hey, Debbie, get me bagdikian.

She had one of those skirts...

He's out. He went somewhere.

Fine.

Probably between
5'4 " and 5'6"...

If these are the real thing,
we are back in the ballgame.

It was a tie-dye skirt.

And this is gonna be the front
page of tomorrow's paper.

Um... give it to marder.
It's his lucky day.

My god, the fun.

(Chuckles)

Woman: (On phone)
rand corporation.

Bagdikian: Harry Rowen, please.

Harry: this is Harry.

Harry, it's Ben bagdikian.

You think someone's
bugging your phone?

I think someone might
be bugging yours.

Why would someone bug my phone?

If I thought the McNamara study

had leaked from rand...

I'd bug the phone of
the president of rand.

It's a dod study.

A copy of which was sent
to rand for safekeeping.

Two copies, if I'm not mistaken.

Jesus Christ, Ben, that
leak didn't come from us.

You sure about that?

Look, in my experience...

Guys who want stuff
like this out there

and have the guts to do it...

They're a particular type.

They've got conscience
and conviction...

But they've also got ego.

Now, there's a guy that
we both know, okay?

He was there the
same time as I was.

He left right after.

You know who I'm
talking about, right?

Isn't he the first
guy you thought of

when you saw the
article in the times?

Okay, look, I gotta go.

(Line disconnects)

Mr. and Mrs. Rosenthal.

- Oh, yes, I see.
- You're welcome.

Abe: I don't wanna push it.

Hi.

Abe: ah,
Kay.

What a treat!

I'm just going to
apologize in advance.

Great to see you.

I'm no fun at all, Abe.
I'm just so nervous...

About tomorrow at
the stock exchange.

And I have to make a big speech.

- No, no, no, no.
- Poor you.

No, going public is a
good move for the post.

Maybe you can even
think about expanding.

Try to be more of
a national paper.

I wish Abe would
let me buy shares.

That's against company policy...

But if you're nervous
and need distraction...

I do happen to have a
copy of today's times.

- (Laughs)
- Abe!

Unless you read it already.

Oh, you awful man.
You really are.

Can we get you
something to drink?

Murrey: Bundy argues
for sustained bombing.

Ben: great stuff.

Murrey: he thinks
it'll turn the tide.

This is February of '65.

Ben: Jesus Christ.

But by April, they realize
it's not gonna cut it...

And lbj sends two battalions.

Ben: great stuff.

Howard: and
get this.

He changes the mission

from base security
to active combat.

- My god.
- It's a huge shift.

He's widening the war.

But he insists on secrecy.

The American people
are not to be told.

All right, okay. So this
is the real deal...

So how long till you
can write it up?

I can have it for Thursday.

Well, what if we pretend

you're a reporter,
not a novelist?

Uh, I suppose I could pull

something together
by tomorrow night.

Okay, we can run
it on Wednesday.

Murrey: I know we need
to get this out, Ben,

but I'd like to
spend a minute...

Going through what we've
got on rolling thunder.

Ben: go through all the
research you want...

But so help me god,
if we don't have

these pages by tomorrow night...

We might as well not
have them at all.

Too late.

Ben: what?

Times already has it.

Well, of course they have it.

"President Johnson decided
on April 1, 1965..."

Of course the times had...
Written by Neil sheehan.

"because a month of bombing..."

Nixon: Neil sheehan's a bastard.

He's been a bastard for years.

Ehrlichman: Mr. President,
the Attorney General

has called a couple times...

About these New
York times stories.

Nixon: you mean to
prosecute the times?

Hell, my view is

to prosecute the goddamn
pricks that gave it to 'em.

Ehrlichman: if you can
find out who that is.

Nixon: yeah, I know.

I mean, could the
times be prosecuted?

Ehrlichman: apparently so.

Nixon: as far as the
times is concerned,

hell, they're our enemies.

I think we just oughta do it.

Son of a bitch.

Abe rosenthal.

Good evening. Their table
is right over there, sir.

Abe: brownell and loeb over
at lord day and lord...

Told punch in no uncertain
terms not to publish.

Only after Scotty
Reston threatened

to publish in the
vineyard gazette...

Did punch decide to print.

Wouldn't have had quite
the same impact.

(Laughing)

Jimmy.

We've been asked to refrain
from further publication...

By the Attorney General.

Nixon's taking us to court?

Kay, I'm sorry...

Oh, no.

(Sighs)

Gosh.

(Breathes deeply)

Why don't I go get the check?

No, sit tight, don't
argue with me.

I'll be right back.

Mr. Rosenthal had to
leave on business.

Certainly, we'll
put it on his tab.

No, I'll take the bill,

but could I trouble you
to use your telephone?

But of course, madam.

There's a fella I
overlapped with at rand.

He was a bit of a
showboat, but smart.

And he worked for McNamara...

And he had opinions

on the decision-making
that went into Vietnam.

Ben: okay.

Word is, he doved. Pretty hard.

Ben: would he have
access to the study?

Pretty sure rand had a copy.

Ben: no shit. All right,
well, can you find him?

Thought maybe I'd try.

(Intercom buzzes)

Debbie: I've got Mrs.
Graham on the line.

Katharine.

Kay: hey, listen, I've
got tomorrow's headline.

Oh, Christ, okay, again?

John Mitchell
contacted the times.

Seems the president is going
to seek an injunction.

No, shit.

This means that we're in
the goddamn ballgame.

Because if the times
gets shut down...

If they get shut down,

there is no ballgame.
Ballgame's over.

Now, Katharine,

anybody would kill to
have a crack at this.

Well, sure, but not if it
means breaking the law.

If a federal judge stops the
times from publishing...

Well, I don't see how
we could publish...

Even if we could get
hold of a copy.

Ben? You have something?

No.

Okay, so then there's nothing
to talk about really.

No, nothing to talk
about at all...

But thank you for the tip, Mrs.
Graham.

(Both chuckle)

What are you still doing here?

(Traffic noises)

Kay: excuse me.

All right.

(Indistinct chatter)

Oh, there she is.

Kay: hello.

How are ya, Kay?

Good morning, everyone.
Good to see you.

Man: hello?

Yeah, I'm looking
for Dan ellsberg.

He doesn't work here anymore.

Do you know where he is now?

No, I don't. Who is this?

Thank you.

Exchange president: and it is
my great privilege to welcome

the Washington post company...

To the American stock exchange.

More than a privilege, Mrs.
Graham.

This is a real honor.

(Line ringing)

Karen: hello, this is Karen.

Yeah, I'm looking
for Dan ellsberg.

You got the wrong number.

Speech.

Go and project confidence, Kay.

Gentlemen...

Thank you all for helping make

the Washington post a
more robust company.

(Line ringing)

Receptionist: center for
international studies.

Yeah, I'm looking
for Dan ellsberg.

He's not here.

But he still works there?

Yes. Can I take a message?

Uh, tell him Ben
bagdikian called.

Exchange president:
congratulations.

Photographer: guys, why don't we

get together for a photograph?

Exchange president: yes.
Paul: good idea.

Absolutely.

Photographer: here we go.
Kay: let me see it.

Paul: smile, Kay.

Shall I hold it?

You just bought a
share of the post!

I know. I'm so happy.

1.35 million shares
at $24.50 a share.

(Cheering)

I believe this will not only
make the post solvent...

But stronger than
it ever has been.

- To the post!
- all: the post!

He said to call from
a secure phone.

Mmm-hmm.

I hear Kennedy said Phil Graham

was the smartest
man he ever met.

Yeah, for Kay's father to hand
her husband the company...

Says something about the guy.

I thought it said
something about the time.

Howard: turn it up.

Walter cronkite: good evening.
The New York times late today

was barred, at least
until Saturday...

From publishing any more
classified documents...

Dealing with the cause and
conduct of the Vietnam war.

The times, true to its word...

Said it would abide
by the decision

of federal judge
Murray gurfein...

But will resist a
permanent injunction

at a hearing Friday.

The Nixon administration
have charged that

the final two parts of
the times' series...

Would result in
irreparable injury

to the national defense.

Hell, why bother
fighting the communists?

Think Jefferson just
rolled over in his grave.

Have the courts ever stopped a
paper from publishing before?

Not in the history
of the Republic.

Good thing we're not
part of this mess.

I'd give my left one
to be in this mess.

There's our front
page lede tomorrow.

Chal, that's yours.

All right.

Party's over. Let's
get back to our jobs.

(TV switches off)

(Chattering)

- Mr. Boston: hello?
- Hi, it's Ben.

- Yes.
- Dan?

No.

Oh, I'm trying to get a hold
of a fella I used to know...

617-597-4580.

Okay.

Hold on.

Was it 4580?

Call from another phone.

617-597-4580.

617-597-4580.

(Line rings)

Daniel: hello?

- Yeah, I'm looking for...
- Yeah. Hey, Ben, it's Dan.

Dan, it's good to
hear your voice.

Yeah, it's been a while.

Yeah.

(Knocks)

Daniel: who is it?

It's Ben.

Ben.

Dan.

The study had 47 volumes.

I slipped out a
couple at a time.

Took me months to copy it all.

What the hell?

Well, we were all
former government guys.

Top clearance, all of that.

McNamara wanted
academics to have

the chance to examine
what had happened.

He would say to us,

"let the chips fall
where they may."

Brave man.

Well, I think guilt was a
bigger motivator than courage.

McNamara didn't lie as
well as the rest...

But I don't think he saw what
was coming, what we'd find.

But it didn't take him
long to figure out...

Well, for us all to figure out

if the public ever
saw these papers...

They would turn against the war.

Covert ops, guaranteed
debt, rigged elections?

It's all in there.
Ike, Kennedy, Johnson.

They violated the
Geneva convention.

They lied to congress and
they lied to the public.

They knew we couldn't win
and still sent boys to die.

What about Nixon?

He's just carrying on
like all the others.

Too afraid to be the one who
loses the war on his watch.

Someone said this
at some point...

About why we stayed when
we knew we were losing.

10% was to help the
south vietnamese.

20% was to hold
back the commies.

70% was to avoid

the humiliation of
an American defeat.

70% of those boys...

Just to avoid being humiliated?

That stuck with me.

(Sighs)

(Breathes heavily)

They're gonna come
after you, you know.

And I gotta be honest...

The bread crumbs weren't
too hard to follow.

I know.

They're gonna lock you up, Dan.

Wouldn't you go to
prison to stop this war?

Theoretically, sure.

You are gonna publish
these documents?

Yeah.

Even with the injunction?

Yes.

(Chuckles)

Well, then it's not so
theoretical then, is it?

(Lighter clinking)

I'm gonna go do some
work in the studio.

My day was great,
thanks for asking.

That picture makes me sad.

Me too.

(Phone rings)

Bradlee.

bagdikian: I'm
in Boston.

I'm gonna need two seats.

Why?

I'm gonna need to buy two seats

on the first flight
out tomorrow...

Probably first class.

No shit, you have them?

Well then just get
your ass back here...

And come straight to the house.

Get chal and Meg and the others.

I don't want the whole newsroom

knowing about this yet.

I gotta go.

Didn't you just invite a
bunch of people over?

Yeah.

Yeah, they'll show up
sometime tomorrow.

When sometime tomorrow?

Is this a breakfast
thing or a lunch thing?

- Don't know.
- Do you need me to get things?

- Nah, we'll figure it all out.
- Okay.

Well, where are you going?

(Grunts)
out.

- You going to the newsroom?
- No.

Love you, bear.

(Doorbell rings)

I got a cake. I hope it's okay?

Oh, sure, as long as
nobody counts the candles.

Uh, sorry to barge in again.

Maybe I should give you a key.

Ah, not here to
crash your party.

What's up?

Well, I could use a minute.

- (Music playing)
- (People chattering)

So, can I ask you a
hypothetical question?

Oh, dear, I don't like
hypothetical questions.

Well, I don't think you're gonna

like the real one either.

Do you have the papers?

Not yet.

(Sighs)

(Stutters) oh, gosh,
because you know...

The position that
would put me in.

You know, we have language

in the prospectus that we've...

Yeah, I know that the bankers
can change their mind.

And I know what is at stake.

You know...

The only couple I knew
that both Kennedy

and lbj wanted to
socialize with...

Was you and your husband and
you owned the damn paper.

Of course that's the
way things worked.

Politicians and the press,
they trusted each other...

So they could go to
the same dinner party

and drink cocktails
and tell jokes...

While there was a war
waging in Vietnam.

Ben, I don't know what
we're talking about.

I'm not protecting lyndon.

No, you got his former
secretary of defense,

Robert McNamara...

The man who commissioned
this study.

He's one of about a
dozen party guests...

- Out on your patio.
- I'm not protecting him.

I'm not protecting any of them.

I'm protecting the paper.

Yeah? Well, I wasn't a
stooge for Jack Kennedy.

The night he was assassinated

Tony and I were down at
the naval hospital...

So we would be there to meet
Jackie when she landed.

She was bringing Jack's body

back on the plane from Dallas...

And she walked into the room.

She was still wearing
that pink suit

with Jack's blood all over it.

She fell into Tony's arms
and they held each other...

For quite a long time.

And then Jackie looked
at me and said...

"None of this, none
of what you see,

"none of what I say...

"Is ever going to be in
your newspaper, Ben."

And that just about
broke my heart.

I never...
(Chuckles)

I never thought of
Jack as a source,

I thought of him as a friend.

And that was my mistake.

And it was something that
Jack knew all along.

We can't be both.
We have to choose.

And...

And that's the point.

The days of us all
smoking cigars together

down on Pennsylvania
Avenue are over.

Your friend McNamara's
study proves that.

The way they lied.

The way they lied.

Those days have to be over.

We have to be the
check on their power.

If we don't hold
them accountable,

I mean, my god, who will?

Well, I've never
smoked a cigar...

And I have no problem
holding lyndon or Jack...

Or Bob or any of
them accountable.

But we can't hold
them accountable

if we don't have a newspaper.

When I get my hands
on that study...

What are you going to do, Mrs.
Graham?

Oh, uh...

Happy birthday, by the way.

- (Music playing)
- (Chattering)

Oh, that's not what I heard.

Am I right?

(Laughing)

- Hi. Good morning.
- Club soda.

- Enjoy your flight.
- Yes, thank you.

Sir, I'm gonna need
to put your seat

in the full upright
position before takeoff.

(Grunts) yeah.

Must be precious cargo.

Yeah. It's just
government secrets.

(Chuckles) please fasten your seatbelt.
Thank you.

- You know why we're here?
- Beats me.

- Hi, Marina.
- Hi.

- Do you want lemonade?
- Little early for me.

Loosen up, I'm buying.

What kinda lemonade
do you have there?

Uh... it's the one
with the lemons in it.

(Chuckles) okay.

Bagdikian: there you go.

Phil, help me out.

Grab my briefcase.

- Is that...?
- Yep.

- (Car door shuts)
- (Car drives away)

It's not the full report

but it's over 4,000 pages of it.

Meg: are these in order?

I don't think so.

There are no page numbers.

Yeah, that's where the
top secret stamps were.

My source had to cut 'em off.

I was supposed to
retire on Friday.

Ben, how we supposed
to comb through

4,000 pages of material?

They're not even
loosely organized?

The times had three months.

There's no way we can
possibly get this done.

He's right. We've got
less than eight hours.

We could shoot for city.
Then we'd have ten.

Hey, hey, hey. For
the last six years

we've been playin' catch-up...

And now thanks to

the president of the
United States...

Who, by the way,
is taking a shit

all over the first amendment...

We have the goods.

And we don't have
any competition.

There's dozens of
stories in here.

The times has barely
scratched the surface.

We have ten hours
'til the deadline...

So we dig in.

Meg: I think this
memo's from McNamara.

"It is my belief
that there should be

"a three-or four-week
pause in bombing."

Wait, wait, wait. I saw the
other half of that memo.

Anyone have the back half of
a cable from Dulles in '54?

I thought I saw one from July.

Yeah, here it is. "The
reasons for this belief...

"Are that we must
lay a foundation

"in the mind of the
American public."

That's it! That's it!

So Johnson wasn't
trying to make peace.

He was just manipulating
the public?

Eyes out for a suspension
in bombing from when?

'65 to '68.

Chalmers: what about a memo

from eisenhower's special
committee on indochina?

Uh, Meg read a
part of one to me.

Meg?

Bagdikian: anybody see a mention

of the rand viet cong study?

Yeah, I think this might
be from your rand study.

"Vc are deeply committed.

"South Vietnam is a lost cause."

- Whoa! There you go.
- Bingo.

All right.

chalmers: Meg,
I need the...

Meg: yeah, I put
it on the shelf.

Couple of piles. We're
getting somewhere.

All right, it's 1:30. Four
o'clock story conference.

Can I interest anyone
in some lemonade?

Ben: yes!

Does it have vodka in it?

I don't put vodka
in my lemonade.

Ben: go easy on the kid.

Chalmers: why not?

Murrey: how much, sweetheart?

Marina: a
quarter.

It's 50 cents.

Inflation.

Ben: price
is going up.

Mr. Bradlee.

Roger Clark.

Oh, you're Roger Clark?

It's nice to meet you in person.

You are our senior
legal counsel.

Yes, we've spoken on the phone.

My voice should sound familiar.

When did you finish law school?

- I graduated...
- Rhetorical question.

You know, the guy
we had before you

is now secretary of state.

I did not know that.

A little joke, perhaps
not the time.

What exactly can I
help you with...

So, why would the CIA director
send a memo on war policy?

Phil: because they weren't
calling it a war yet.

Okay, I've got
Turkey with mustard.

Roast beef with horseradish.

- Howard, come look at this.
- Chal, you've gotta see this.

It's a full analysis
of McNamara's

changing view of the war.

Chalmers: does it say
anything about why he does?

So we knew they were
gonna assassinate diem.

Yeah, and we did
nothing to stop it.

Meg: I think I got something
on McNamara on the fireplace.

The other fireplace.

(Overlapping chatter)

Chalmers: murrey, where's
the back half of this one?

What's the thing
you just gave me?

Tell me these aren't the
classified documents

from the McNamara study.

4,000 pages of 'em.

- Hungry?
- I need to use a phone.

There's one in the other room.

Phil: two.

Meg: is
that it?

Phil: this is it. This is it.

Murrey: hmm?

Phil: this is the
other half of it.

(Snoring)

(Breathes deeply)

Oh, my god.

(Sighs)

(Sighs)

Hi. Thanks for
letting me drop by.

- Marg still napping?
- Yeah.

Do you mind if we
talk in the sunroom?

Just so I can hear
her if she wakes.

No, of course not.
I can't stay long.

I've got a big event
at the house later.

I guess you've read
everything now.

Yes, I have. I have, yes.

And I went over it
again this morning.

All of it.

And I just...

Forgive me, Bob, I know you're
dealing with so much...

But it's just so hard to
try to make sense of why.

Of how you could have
done all these things.

How you could just
lie to us all.

Well, it's easy for the papers
to characterize us as liars.

We were just trying
to push back...

No, but you let it
go on and on and on.

My son is home now
and safe, thank god.

But you watched him go.

You knew we couldn't
win over there...

For years and years and
years, and yet you let me...

You let so many of our
friends send our boys off.

Kay, we were doing
the best we could.

It was domino theory,
containment...

And eventually we felt

that military pressure
was the only thing...

That was gonna drive ho
chi minh to the table.

Our decision-making
process was...

Flawed.

It was flawed. That's
what your study said.

Yes.

I do believe that you were
trying to do your best...

And I know how
difficult it can be

to make choices that will...

That's kind of you.

Well, what comes next
might not be so kind.

You have the papers.

(Chuckles nervously)

Let's just say...

I may have a big
decision to make.

(Kay sighs)

Anthony: they will
argue it's a violation

of the espionage act.

That is a felony, Ben.

That's only if the
documents we print

could damage the United States.

There's a federal
judge in New York

who seems to think
that they could.

Well, I've got six
seasoned journalists

in the next room...

Who've been reporting on this
war for the last ten years...

And I'll lay odds that
they have a better idea...

Of what could damage
the United States

than some judge...

Who is just now wading

into this territory
for the first time.

"Wading." is that a
metaphor for Vietnam?

Okay. Ben, look, we know
your reporters are talented.

But the New York times
spent three months

going over these documents.

You've got, what,
seven hours now

until the paper goes to press?

Can you honestly tell me
that that is enough time...

To make sure not a
single military plan,

not a single U.S. soldier...

Not a single American life
will be put in harm's way?

That this will do no damage

to the United States
if you publish?

Yes.

Roger: you're sure about that?

No!

That's why I've called you guys.

Robert: look, Kay, I know
why the times ran the story

but you need to understand...

The study was for posterity.

It was written for
academics in the future...

And right now we're still
in the middle of the war.

The papers can't be objective.

And I suppose the public
has a right to know...

But I would prefer
that the study

not be made widely available...

Until it can be read with some perspective.
You understand.

Mmm.

(Sighs)

(Chuckles)

We've been through
a lot, haven't we?

You and marg were
there for me...

At the lowest point of my life.

You helped me, you selected
my entire board...

You're my most
trusted advisor...

My dear friend.

But my feelings about
that and about you...

Can't be part of this
decision to publish or not.

I'm here asking
your advice, Bob...

Not your permission.

Well, then as one of your
most trusted advisors...

And someone who knows how much
you care about this company...

I'm worried, Kay.

I worked in Washington
for ten years,

I've seen these people up close.

Bobby and lyndon, they
were tough customers,

but Nixon is different.

He's got some real bad
people around him.

And if you publish he'll get
the very worst of them.

The colsons and the ehrlichmans

and he'll crush you.

I know he's just awful, but I...

Nixon's a son of a bitch!
He hates you.

He hates Ben.

He's wanted to ruin the
paper for years...

And you will not get a
second chance, Kay.

The Richard Nixon I
know will muster

the full power of
the presidency...

And if there's a way
to destroy your paper,

by god, he'll find it.

Anthony: publish information
that harms national security.

I told you, there is
nothing in there.

If there is, the paper
will be prosecuted.

Isn't that why you're here?

Yes, Ben, but if we lose...

With what we pay you, you
really shouldn't lose.

Ben, you need to listen to them.

Hey, Fritz. Good to see you.

This is about the
future of the company

and ensuring there is one.

That's a little melodramatic,
don't you think?

Melodramatic? You're
talking about

exposing years of
government secrets.

I can't imagine they're
gonna take that lightly.

You could jeopardize
the public offering.

You could jeopardize our
television stations.

You know a felon can't
hold a broadcast license.

You think I give two shits
about the television stations?

You should. They make a hell of

a lot more money than you do...

And without that revenue
we'll be forced to sell.

If the government wins
and we're convicted...

The Washington post as we
know it will cease to exist.

If we live in a world
where the government

can tell us what we can
and cannot print...

Then the Washington
post as we know it

has already ceased to exist.

What if we wait?

What if we hold off
on printing today

and instead we call the
Attorney General...

And we tell him that we
intend to print on Sunday?

That way we give
them and us time

to figure out the
legality of all of it...

While the court in New York
decides the times' case.

You're suggesting we alert
the Attorney General...

To the fact that we
have these documents...

That we're going to
print in a few days?

(Stutters) well, yes,
that is the idea.

Bagdikian: yeah, well...

Outside of landing
the hindenburg

in a lightning storm...

That's about the shittiest
idea I've ever heard.

Oh, boy.

(Music playing inside)

Kay: oh, here's the
man of the hour.

Harry: Kay.

Kay: for you.

(Sighs) I'm found.

Thank you, Kay.

You didn't have to go
through all this trouble.

No, we had to turn
them away at the door.

Didn't we, dear?

- Thanks.
- Oh.

- Gene.
- Mrs. Graham.

So, everything okay?

Uh, it's gotten pretty
hot over at Ben's house.

Oh, things are not going well?

No. Ben and Mr. Beebe are
at real loggerheads.

Fritz and Ben on opposite sides?

I made a commitment to
publish these papers.

Excuse me. Pardon me.

The whole staff will revolt,
if we don't publish.

Anthony: Meg, I hardly think
people are gonna resign.

Ben: enjoying the fight?

Tony: yeah, who's winning?

- Nixon.
- I didn't see him come in.

Really? He's got his hand
so far up Fritz's ass.

Where is Fritz?

Anthony: that is not at
all what I'm saying. No.

Meg: not in so many words, but
you're a bunch of lawyers.

Will you cut through the shit!

Anthony: is the
profanity necessary?

If we're not gonna publish,

why are we busting
our rear ends, Ben?

Just keep writing.

(Stutters)

Can you stop playing chopsticks?

Bagdikian: we're not
gonna get it wrong!

What's up there, Fritz?

Calling Kay.

I'm sorry, Ben. I
know you want this.

There will be another one.

Like hell there will be.

Roger: given the sensitive
circumstances...

Phil: sensitive circumstances?
Really?

Roger: how would
you describe it?

Murrey: uh, well, we're
trying to make a story.

Fritz: hello. Hello, I'm
making a telephone call.

Yeah, well, it's my house.

- So I'll be on the call.
- All right, Ben.

I just want to thank you all
for coming out this evening...

To help me launch
Harry gladstein...

And his new sailboat...

Into the chesapeake bay.

And into his very well
earned retirement.

Let me just tell you
a little bit about

why I'm so wild about Harry.

Mrs. Graham. It's Mr.
Beebe on the phone.

In 1949, wasn't it?

Uh, Phil Graham first brought
Harry to the company.

- I'm afraid they need you now.
- And I remember, he told me...

Mrs. Graham.

(Whispers) they need you now.

(Sighs)

Oh, dear. I'm so sorry.

Forgive me, Harry.

Harry:
yeah.

(Chuckles) I think
I'll have to suspend.

Well, you're paying
the overtime.

- (All laugh)
- I'll be right back.

I'm so sorry, Mrs. Graham.

Yeah.

We should wait.

Yeah, I understand, Ben,
but if you wait a day...

- Fritz on the phone for me?
- We should be on this call.

Well, there's an extension
in the living room.

Liz, show them where, please?
Thank you.

Hello, Fritz?

Hello, Kay. Would you
like me to catch you up?

I say we can, he says we can't.

There, you're caught up.

Fritz: Ben...

Arthur: hello,
it's art.

Well, Ben, there
are concerns here

that are frankly above
your pay grade.

Ben: well, there's a
few above yours, art,

like fucking freedom
of the press.

Let's just be civil if we can.

Ben: do you think Nixon
is going to be civil?

He is trying to censor the
goddamn New York times.

Yes, the times, not the post.

Ben: it's the same damn thing.

This is an historic fight.
If they lose, we lose.

Paul: hello? Is
someone on the phone?

Phil: this is Phil.

Is that Phil geyelin?

Phil: uh, yes, Mrs. Graham.

Good. I'd like you to
weigh in if you would...

Because I wanna know

what the staff is
feeling about this.

Phil: uh, well, frankly Mrs.
Graham...

Ben bagdikian and chal Roberts

have, uh, both
threatened to resign...

If we don't publish, that is.

Come on, Kay, what
do you expect?

They got nothing to lose.

Due respect, we all
have everything

to lose if we don't publish.

What will happen to the
reputation of this paper?

Everyone will find out
we had the study.

Hell, I bet half the
town knows already.

What will it look like
if we sit on our asses?

It'll look like we were prudent.

Ben: it will look
like we were afraid!

We will lose! The country will lose!
Nixon wins!

Nixon wins this one,
and the next one...

And all the ones after that,
because we were scared.

Because the only way to assert

the right to publish
is to publish.

(Breathes deeply)

Fritz.

(Stutters) is Fritz there?

Fritz, are you on?

Fritz: I'm here, Kay.

What do you think?

What do you think I should do?

(Fritz sighs)

Fritz: I think...

There are arguments
on both sides.

Yeah.

But I guess I wouldn't publish.

(Breathing heavily)

(Stutters) let's go.
Let's do it.

Let's go. Let's go, let's go.
Let's publish.

- What?
- Phil?

What'd she say?

We go.

She says, we publish.

(Bagdikian sighs)

- Hot damn.
- My god.

- Holy shit.
- Let's get this out.

Holy shit.

(Typing)

I need that, Meg.

Meg:
sorry.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Hold your horses.

- I need the notes!
- Sorry.

- How many pages is it?
- 13.

We got two hours to get
it to the composing room.

Chalmers: I got it! Almost!
Wait one moment. I'm typing.

Bagdikian: all right.

- Wait, wait, wait.
- Who's taking it?

I got it.

Call national desk.

Tell them bagdikian is
coming with the story.

Done!

All right. Get it in the paper.

Editorial meeting.

- Ben?
- Yeah? Thanks.

Howard: good job, murrey.

(Elevator dings)

- That it?
- That's it.

(Indistinct chattering)

You... you got half an hour.

I'm not sure how much thought

you've put into this decision...

But we still have time.

The print deadline is
not 'til midnight.

I know when the
print deadline is.

Look, I'm still learning
how to do this,

but everything I know
about business...

Tells me you're making a
serious mistake here.

One that will cost you
and your paper dearly,

and hurt every person
gathered here.

Not to mention, the hundreds
of others who work for you.

I'm just trying to put
my thoughts together.

Kay, all I want is what is best

for you and your business.

But I just got off the phone
with a couple of bankers...

And they think it's
possible, likely even...

That a number of their
institutional investors...

Will pull out if you
go ahead and publish.

And if they pull out, Kay...

(Sighs)

You got a couple of hours.

For your sake,

and for the sake of every
one of your employees...

I hope you will reconsider.

Give me the canister.

Get it downstairs...

And I want the page
editor standing over lino

'til they got it ready to print.

Okay.

(Air hisses)

(Sighs)

Roger: Mr. Bagdikian.

I need to know your source.

I thought I was clear earlier.

Well, we weren't going
to press earlier.

Yeah, well, my
answer's the same.

"This action has been
commenced to enjoin

"the New York times
and their agents...

"From further disseminating
or disclosing

"certain alleged top
secret documents."

Are you trying to piss me off?

No. Not me. Judge gurfein.

If you look at the text of
his restraining order...

I read his restraining order.

So then you know that if the
times was your source...

We would be in
direct violation...

I did not get the
study from the times.

You're sure?

We done?

Did you get it
from their source?

Excuse me?

Did you get the study

from the same source
as the times?

We do not reveal our sources.

"This action has been
commenced to enjoin

"the New York times
and its agents..."

I get it! I get it!

If you got the study
from the same source

that would amount to collusion.

Yeah, we could all
be executed at dawn.

And we could be held in
contempt of court...

Which means Mr. Bradlee and Mrs.
Graham could go to jail.

(Sighs)

Mr. Bagdikian...

How likely is it
that your source...

And the times source
are the same person?

It's likely.

How likely?

(Sighs)

Very.

- It's very likely.
- Yes.

What is all this?

Lemonade earnings.

Marina wanted me to put
it away for safekeeping.

Oh, wow.

We're publishing.

Wow.

I didn't think Kay'd do it.

That's brave.

Well, she's not the
only one who's brave.

Oh.
(Chuckles)

What have you got to lose?

Uh, my job.

My reputation.

Oh, Ben, please.

We both know this
will do nothing

but burnish your reputation.

And as for your job...

You can always find another one.

Now, if you're trying to
make me feel better...

There's nicer ways of doing it.

You're very brave.

But Kay...

Kay is in a position she
never thought she'd be in.

A position I'm sure
plenty of people

don't think she should have.

And when you're told
time and time again

that you're not good enough.

That your opinion
doesn't matter as much.

When they don't
just look past you.

When, to them, you're
not even there.

When that's been your
reality for so long...

It's hard not to let
yourself think it's true.

So, to make this decision...

To risk her fortune
and the company

that's been her entire life...

Well, I think that's brave.

(Phone rings)

Bradlee.

Bagdikian: Ben,
we got a problem.

You remember this?

- The day before the funeral.
- Yeah.

Wasn't it?

Yeah.

I didn't...

I didn't wanna do it...

But Fritz said I should go in...

And say a few words
to the board.

So, I tried to
rehearse something...

But it all turned out so awful,

and before I knew it...

The car was there
ready to take me

and then you came out.

I remember.

You came out in

your little nightgown
and your robe.

And you hopped in
the car with me.

Gave me this.

Somehow you managed to
scribble these notes for me.

So I'd know what to say.

But I don't have my
glasses up here.

- So, just read it for me.
- Mummy...

Oh, come on, just...
Would you read it to me?

"One, thank them.

"Two, there has been a crisis,

"but you know they
will carry on.

"Three, never expected
to be in this...

"Situation.

"Four, going off to clear mind
and think about the future.

"Five, no changes at this time,

"paper will remain
in the family.

"And six, and be carried
on in the tradition...

- "So well set."
- So well set.

(Both sobbing)

You know, I just wanted to
hold on to the company...

For you and Don and
Billy and Steve.

You did. You have.

Well...
(Sniffles)

You know that quote?

That quote...

"A woman preaching is like a
dog walking on its hind legs.

"It's not done well...

"And you're surprised to see

it's done at
all." (Chuckles)

Samuel Johnson.

- Oh, mummy.
- Yeah.

Well, it's a bunch of nonsense.

No, but that's the way
we all thought then...

You know?

I was never supposed
to be in this job.

When my father chose your
dad to run the company...

I thought it was the most
natural thing in the world.

I was so proud,
because you know...

Phil was so brilliant.
And he was...

So gifted...

But I thought that was the
way it was supposed to be.

Everybody thought that way then.

And I was raising you kids...

And I was happy in my life.

The way it was.

But then when it all
fell apart, you know...

When Phil died, it was just...

I was 45 years old and
I had never held...

I'd never had to hold
a job in my life.

But I just, I loved the
paper, you know...

I do.

I do so love the paper.

I don't want it to be my fault.

I don't want to
be the one who...

I don't wanna let
Phil and my father...

And all of you kids
and everybody down.

Mrs. Graham?

(Panting)

- You ran here?
- Yeah.

There's been a bit of a...

Complication.

I didn't understand at first,

but now everything is
in a different light.

Our source might be the
same as the New York times.

Okay.

If so, we could be
held in contempt.

Meaning?

Well, we could all go to prison.

Now putting that aside...

Katharine, I've
come to realize...

Just how much you have at stake.

Paul.

Paul: glad
you're here.

Fritz is sitting with Mrs.
Graham now.

And Ben is here.

Yes, I figured he would be.

Jesus Christ.

Mr. Bradlee, if you knew

Mr. Bagdikian
received the study...

From the same source
as the times...

I didn't know because
I'm not in the habit...

Of asking my reporters
who their sources are...

And if you'd spent any time

at a real goddamn
newspaper you'd know why.

You understand he's
trying to help you, Ben?

Mrs. Graham, hi.

We can all...

We can all appreciate why
Ben wants to publish...

And if these papers had
come from someone else...

We might have been able
to skirt the issue.

Anything from the
folks upstairs?

Copy editor: no.

We gotta start the run

or we won't get to the
carriers on time.

I disagreed with you earlier,

but I thought it brave.
But this?

If we were to publish
knowing this,

it would just be irresponsible.

Fritz, do you agree?

Well, I don't particularly
like the idea

of Kay as a convicted felon.

And then there's the
issue of the prospectus.

Based on the
conversations I've had

with my friends at cravath...

I believe a criminal indictment

would qualify as a
catastrophic event.

And given the likelihood
of indictment now...

Kay, it could...

Yes, I understand.

We have a responsibility
to the company...

To all the employees

and to the long-term
health of the paper.

Absolutely, Kay.

Yes. However, um...

The prospectus also
talks about...

The mission of the
paper, which is...

"Outstanding news collection

"and reporting,"
isn't that right?

Yes.

And...

And it also says...

That the newspaper will

"be dedicated to the
welfare of the nation...

"And to the, uh, principles
of a free press..."

Yes, but...

So, one could argue that the
bankers were put on notice.

But Kay, these are
extraordinary circumstances.

Are they? Are they?
For a newspaper?

One that covers the
Nixon white house.

Can you guarantee me that
we could go to print...

Without endangering
any of our soldiers?

You can't be considering...

I'm talking to Mr. Bradlee now.

Fritz, you're not gonna
let her do this.

She can't go to...

No, now, she can, Arthur.

And it's entirely her decision.

Kay, you're allowing Mr.
Bradlee...

(Stutters) to lead you to folly.

The legacy of the
company is at stake

and if you want to
protect that legacy...

This company's
been in my life...

For longer than
most of the people

working there have been alive.

So, I don't need the
lecture on legacy.

And this is no longer
my father's company.

It's no longer my
husband's company.

It's my company.

And anyone who
thinks otherwise...

Probably doesn't
belong on my board.

Can you guarantee me
that we can go to...

100%!

All right, then.

My decision stands...

And I'm going to bed.

(Laughing)

(Phone rings)

It's Ben bradlee. Run it.

Yes, sir.

Start it up.

(Buzzes)

(Squeaking)

(Typing)

(Rumbling)

(Typing)

Distributor: let's go! Let's go!

This is not a party,
this is a war here!

(Overlapping chatter)

I've got the assistant
Attorney General.

Ben: put him on.

Good morning.

rehnquist:
good morning.

This is William rehnquist

from the office of legal
counsel at justice.

Ben: yes, sir.

Mr. Bradlee, I have been advised

by the secretary of defense...

That the material published

in the Washington
post this morning...

Contains information relating to

the national defense of
the United States...

And bears a top-secret
classification.

As such, the publication
of this information...

Is directly prohibited
by the espionage act...

Title 18 of the United
States code, section 793.

As publication will cause
irreparable injury...

To the defense interests
of the United States...

I respectfully request
that you publish

no further information
of this character...

And advise me that you
have made arrangements...

For the return of
these documents

to the department of defense.

Well, thank you for the call, Mr.
Rehnquist...

But I'm sure you understand I
must respectfully decline.

- I appreciate your time.
- (Line disconnects)

What's next?

We're going to court. Today.

If we get a ruling in our
favor, or the times does...

We'll be at the supreme
court sometime next week.

No, I wanna make
sure all the dates

are locked down between sixth...

We're focusing on Johnson...

I don't want any more articles

just about shoes
and about dresses.

Well, that's where
you're wrong, al.

I happen to be a woman
and I know a few.

Your honor, the
stories published

in the times and now the post...

Have created a diplomatic

and security disaster
for the United States.

How exactly have these papers
created a diplomatic disaster?

Why would other countries
talk to us in confidence...

If secrets like
this can be leaked?

So, does this make it difficult

for the president to govern?

If the president can't keep
secrets, he can't govern.

Nothing less than the integrity

of the presidency is at stake.

Yes, I know.

I'm sure it has rattled
investors, Jerry.

That's why I'm calling you.

Yes, I understand
a number of them

have considered pulling
out but we feel...

Fritz: of course. I stand
behind the decision.

Well, you know, one could argue

it's raising the
profile of the post.

Would the post have published
military plans for d-day...

If they'd had them in advance?

Well, I don't think
there's any comparison

between a pending
invasion of Europe...

And a historical survey
of American involvement

in the Vietnam war.

The supreme court has decided

to hold a hearing
tomorrow morning...

To resolve the tangle of
conflicting decisions...

Over what of the Pentagon papers

can be published and
more broadly...

The issue of freedom
of the press

versus government security.

But in agreeing to
hear the cases of

the New York times and
the Washington post...

Supreme's granted cert.

Emergency expedited basis.

We're in court with
the times tomorrow.

What are you so happy about?

I always wanted to be part
of a small rebellion.

I asked him what he considers...

The most important revelations

to date from the
Pentagon documents.

I think the lesson is the
people of this country...

Can't afford to
let the president

run the country by himself.

Even foreign affairs any
more than domestic affairs,

without the help of congress.

I was struck, in fact,

by president Johnson's
reaction...

To these revelations
as close to treason.

Because it reflected
to me the sense

that what was damaging
to the reputation...

Of a particular administration,

a particular individual...

Was in itself treason.

Which is very close to
saying, "I am the state."

But this is a
self-governing country.

Ben?

The constitution provides for
a separation of powers...

What on earth are you doing?

(Gasps)

They all followed your lead
and published the papers.

At least we're not alone.

No matter what happens tomorrow,

we are not a little
local paper anymore.

Hmm.

Man 1: I'd be very
interested in your opinion.

Man 2: sounds good.

Man 1: all right, I'll see
you at the first break.

Man 2: all right.

I am sorry.

Mrs. Graham, there's an entrance

around the side for
the appellants.

Oh, thank you very much.

I'm sorry I'm walking so fast.

I was supposed to be
here half hour ago...

But then I had to make
copies of the brief

and there was so much traffic...

And you just wouldn't think

there'd be all these
people, you know?

No, you wouldn't. You work
for Roger Clark then?

I work for the government.

The solicitor general's office.

Oh. You're on the other team.

Mrs. Graham...

I probably shouldn't say this.

My brother, he's still
over there and...

Well, I hope you win.

Besides, I like someone

telling these guys what's what.

But don't tell my
boss I said that.

He'd fire me just
for talking to you.

(Chuckles)

(Chattering)

Roger: Ben.

Ben: how are
ya, kid?

Roger: Fritz.

Fritz:
Roger.

I told you to be here at eight.

Yes. I was here at eight,

but Richard sent
me back to make...

Is Richard your boss?

No, but you weren't here so...

I don't want excuses.
Just take a seat.

Mrs. Graham.

Morning.

Morning, gentlemen.
Good to see you.

- Kay.
- Punch, Abe.

Nice to be on the same
side for a change.

I'll tell you what's nice...

Making the front page of your
newspaper on a daily basis.

Must be a lot of
people from Boston

to Washington reading about us.

Yes...

Well, I suppose
it's appropriate...

Given what's at stake.

All rise.

The honorable, the chief justice

and the associate justices...

Of the supreme court
of the United States.

Oyez, oyez, oyez.

All persons having
business before

the honorable of the
supreme court...

- (Clamoring)
- Mr. Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal.

Man: Mr. Sulzberger,
do you think

they'll decide in your favor?

Well, overall we
feel encouraged.

27 congressmen filed amicus
briefs on our behalf.

As well as the aclu...

We should make a statement.

You would think that's her job.

I believe everything we had
to say we've already said.

Punch: well, we
feel confident...

(Phone rings)

Meg greenfield.

Okay.

Everyone, listen up! Listen up!

We've got a decision.

We've got a decision.

- Where'd they go?
- The same place.

The supreme court.
The decision's in.

The vote is...

6-3.

6-3. We win.

We win! And so does the times!

(Cheering)

Gene: yes!

No shit!

Nice job, gene.

- No gloating! No gloating.
- I'm just satisfied.

Meg: what? I can't hear you.
It's too loud.

Okay.

Listen up, everybody. Listen up.

Justice black's opinion.

Okay.

"The founding fathers
gave the free press...

"The protection it must have...

"To fulfill its essential
role in our democracy.

"The press was to
serve the governed,

"not the governors."

(Applause)

Thank you.

That looks great.

You know what my husband
said about the news?

He called it the first
rough draft of history.

That's good, isn't it?
(Chuckles)

Oh, well, we don't always
get it right, you know?

We're not always
perfect, but I think

if we just keep on it, you know?

That's the job, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Kay: oh, Ken clawson came
by to see me earlier.

Ben: oh?

Kay: apparently, justice
is still considering

criminal charges against us.

Ben: yeah, well, I bet they are.

Kay: and you're not worried.

Ben: nope. No, Katharine,
that's your job.

Kay: (Chuckles) I suppose it is.

Oh, thank god the court
ruling was very clear.

Ben: yeah, well, I'm sure Nixon
will fall right in line.

Kay: hmm. Good,
because you know...

I don't think I could
ever live through

something like this again.

Nixon: I want it
clearly understood

that from now on, ever...

No reporter from the
Washington post

is ever to be in
the white house.

- Is that clear?
- aide: absolutely.

Nixon: never. Never
in the white house.

No church service. Nothing that Mrs.
Nixon does.

You tell Connie, "don't tell Mrs.
Nixon,"

'cause she'll approve it.

No reporter from the
Washington post

is ever to be in the
white house again.

And no photographer either.

No photographer, is that clear?

None ever to be in.

Now that is a total order.

And if necessary, I'll fire you.

You understand?

aide: I do
understand.

Nixon: okay. All right. Good.

Female dispatcher: DC
police, second precinct.

Security guard: yes, hello.
This is frank wills.

I think we might have a
burglary in progress

at the Watergate.

Original subtitles by sud_arun
colored and improved by zer0_