Nice drama that populates the dark and twisted vision of the American electionswith fascinating interpretation by Henry Fonda , easily the most stimulating acting . A brilliant adaptation of a known play dealing with politic intrigues and plenty of familiar faces formed by an all-star-cast who gives extraordinary acting . It's convention time , Caucus , and front runner Secretary of State William Russell (Henry Fonda) finds himself confronting Senator Joe Cantwell (Cliff Robertson) . The honest , kind Russell hopes to elevate politics beyond the personal attack . While Cantwell is a corrupt politician who wants to win at whatever cost and he'll stop at nothing to get it by using cheated strategy , blackmailing voters , and willing to crush any opponent . Both of whom crucially need the support of the sick ex-President Hockstader (Lee Tracy's flamboyant acting). But ex-president is called upon to confirm the controversial nominee Cantwell . As Hockstader believes Russell's inability to act that's his main gap . Both of them have evidences that can give light to sinister secrets from the past . But then , things go wrong . Does The Best Man Always Get To The White House? . The Best Man is Dynamite .
A thorny , darkly satiric tract about two candidates who vie for endorsement of the aging ex-president and trample political ethics in the process . Gripping and attractive movie that contains over-the-top performances, engrossing drama , intrigue , corruption , political events and a special vision of US polls and its behind-the-scenes in which both pitted candidates make discoveries about themselves , their set-ups, strengths , and eventually accepting weakness . Thought-provoking and compelling film in which abounds top-drawer acting among the popular stars ; thoughtful screenplay from Gore Vidal based on his play : ¨The Best Man¨ wheeling with a suspenseful intrigue about two controversial candidates and their strong confrontation for the party power , as the stakes become higher and each team has to decide how dirty they are prepared to get . Main and support cast are very fine , there abounds magnificent performances such as Henry Fonda as a man of conviction and Clift Robertson as a political street fighter who practices a "means justifies the ends" . They're very well accompanied by an awesome support cast , such as : Edie Adams , Margaret Leighton , Shelley Berman , Ann Sothern , Gene Raymond , Kevin McCarthy, among others . Furthermore , stands out Lee Tracy as the ailing ex-President giving an adequate underplaying and the scene-stealing best , Edie Adams .
It displays appropriate cinematography in black and white by Haskell Wexler . Atmospheric and evocative musical score by Mort Lindsey .This engrossing , riveting picture was effective and competently directed by Franklyn J Schaffner . He made excellent motion pictures such as "The Planet of the Apes", "Patton, " "Papillon" , ¨"Nicholas and Alexandra" , after the flop of his film titled " Islands in the Stream ", in which went on to coincide with the actor of "Patton" , George C. Scott , he decided to embark on a project more commercial and successful as "The Boys From Brazil" ; however , ¨Sphinx¨ ,¨Lionheart¨, ¨Si Giorgio¨ were other box office failures . ¨The best man 1964¨, rating : 7.5/10. The flick will appeal to Henry Fonda and Clift Robertson fans . Better than average , worthwhile watching .
A thorny , darkly satiric tract about two candidates who vie for endorsement of the aging ex-president and trample political ethics in the process . Gripping and attractive movie that contains over-the-top performances, engrossing drama , intrigue , corruption , political events and a special vision of US polls and its behind-the-scenes in which both pitted candidates make discoveries about themselves , their set-ups, strengths , and eventually accepting weakness . Thought-provoking and compelling film in which abounds top-drawer acting among the popular stars ; thoughtful screenplay from Gore Vidal based on his play : ¨The Best Man¨ wheeling with a suspenseful intrigue about two controversial candidates and their strong confrontation for the party power , as the stakes become higher and each team has to decide how dirty they are prepared to get . Main and support cast are very fine , there abounds magnificent performances such as Henry Fonda as a man of conviction and Clift Robertson as a political street fighter who practices a "means justifies the ends" . They're very well accompanied by an awesome support cast , such as : Edie Adams , Margaret Leighton , Shelley Berman , Ann Sothern , Gene Raymond , Kevin McCarthy, among others . Furthermore , stands out Lee Tracy as the ailing ex-President giving an adequate underplaying and the scene-stealing best , Edie Adams .
It displays appropriate cinematography in black and white by Haskell Wexler . Atmospheric and evocative musical score by Mort Lindsey .This engrossing , riveting picture was effective and competently directed by Franklyn J Schaffner . He made excellent motion pictures such as "The Planet of the Apes", "Patton, " "Papillon" , ¨"Nicholas and Alexandra" , after the flop of his film titled " Islands in the Stream ", in which went on to coincide with the actor of "Patton" , George C. Scott , he decided to embark on a project more commercial and successful as "The Boys From Brazil" ; however , ¨Sphinx¨ ,¨Lionheart¨, ¨Si Giorgio¨ were other box office failures . ¨The best man 1964¨, rating : 7.5/10. The flick will appeal to Henry Fonda and Clift Robertson fans . Better than average , worthwhile watching .