Trailer

The Best Man (1964)

Approved   |    |  Drama

The Best Man (1964) Poster

The 2 front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former President's endorsement.

7.6/10
3,143
Rate
Critic Reviews

Videos

Photos

  • The Best Man (1964)
  • The Best Man (1964)
  • The Best Man (1964)
  • The Best Man (1964)
  • The Best Man (1964)
  • The Best Man (1964)

See all photos

Get More From IMDb

For an enhanced browsing experience, get the IMDb app on your smartphone or tablet.

Get the IMDb app

Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Director:

Franklin J. Schaffner

Writer:

Gore Vidal (screenplay)
Facebook
Twitter
E-mail

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

Add a Review

User Reviews
18 July 2016 | SnoopyStyle
8
| political movie of the era
In a Presidential convention, William Russell (Henry Fonda) and Joe Cantwell (Cliff Robertson) are the leading candidates. Russell is a principled intellectual with personal issues that could haunt him. His estranged wife Alice is supportive publicly. Cantwell is a populist on the outside, and a ruthless opportunist on the inside. His wife is superficial. They struggle for the endorsement of the departing President Art Hockstader. Cantwell threatens to Hockstader that he would release Russell's secret psychiatric hospital records. In his all important speech, Hockstader doesn't give a direct endorsement throwing the convention open. He has concerns about Russell but vows to stop Cantwell.

This is a political movie of the era. The main characters are referencing politicians of the time. It loses a little with the passage of time. Fonda and Robertson are exceptional. Writer Gore Vidal injects the movie with plenty of behind the scenes realism. It is more real than most political thrillers of that era.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the book that Senator Joseph Cantwell (Cliff Robertson) had written was "The Enemy Around Us" whilst the name of the book that former Secretary of State William Russell (Henry Fonda) had written was "The American Vision".

Quotes

President Art Hockstader: Y'know, it's not that I object to your being a bastard, don't get me wrong there. It's your being such a stupid bastard that I object to.

Goofs

At the end of the basement meeting between Bascomb (portrayed by Shelley Berman), Cantwell (portrayed by Cliff Robertson), and Russell (portrayed by Henry Fonda), Cantwell turns from Russell and walks away, and Cantwell's backside is seen 10-15 feet away from Russell before the camera switches back to Russell, and Cantwell's shoulder is seen 1-2 feet away from Russell's face.

Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, a picture of every single U.S. President appears in order, from George Washington to Lyndon Johnson.

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Drama

Details

Release Date:

6 April 1964

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Contribute to this page

Getting Started | Contributor Zone  »

User Polls

The worst of the best.
Best Fictional Election or Campaign Movie?

The Best TV and Movies to Watch in April

Check out our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're excited about this month, like Mortal Kombat, "Them," and Stowaway.

Browse our picks

The History of Academy Award Best Picture Winners

From Wings to Parasite, here's a look back at all of the Best Picture Oscar winners in the history of the ceremony.

See more Best Picture winners

Around The Web

 | 

Powered by Taboola

More To Explore

Search on Amazon.com