Terribly dry and over-written. Not overwhelmingly bad, just boring. Even a couple of fantastic performances from Fonda and Laughton can't save it.

This political procedural's broad exploration of Senate politics has a delightfully broad scope that manages to make political jockeying a thrilling experience. However, the film's treatment of homosexuality is very dated, and makes those segments feel a little bit ludicrous.

"Preminger's visual savvy turns that most staid and insufferable of social terrariums, the floor of the U.S. Senate, into a vibrant, perpetually shifting Voronoi diagram." - Eric Henderson

B+W 60s film that revolves around the appointment of a new Secretary of State. I enjoyed the clever banter from some very strong characters. This movie has no action, but it kept me in suspense. There is no murder, or puzzle to solve, just a good old fashion political drama. Although this was made nearly 50 years ago, I believe it is still relevant even today, especially if you enjoy a bit of politics with your morning news. This is the art of movie making that is lacking in today's cinema.

A rarity--a political (as opposed to a biblical) epic. Preminger keeps the whole thing firmly in his ironic control--easier than it would be with a biblical epic--and produces a very good film. Laughton hams it up as an old fashioned Southern senator--which is exactly how such a part should be played--and Don Murray and George Grizzard deliver the performances of their careers.

I thought this was decent. Certainly nothing amazing, but it tackles topics such as communism and homosexuality in an interesting way. I also thought it would have been better with more Fonda, but the actors do decent jobs. Not the most interesting film, but does accurately depict the political posturing that probably has gone on for decades if not centuries.

I love political movies ("All The President's Men" is my favorite film) and this one has an interestingt subject. If only it were presented in an interesting fashion. It's as if they had no faith the audience could handle a wee bit of excitement or intrigue, so they just laid all the plot points out on the table as if it were a lecture. Good story, bad storytelling.

One of the best American political movies

Okay movie. Good look at behind the scenes politics of the era.

Absorbing when it stays away from the melodramatic (it did seem odd how little Fonda is in this). A later movie, 'The Best Man', bears a strong resemblance to this in more than a few details - I'd recommend it over this just slightly but they both work.

I'm not into politics that much, but this was a reasonably interesting movie. Unfortunately it kind of falls apart with the homosexual subplot. Also, Henry Fonda practically disappears after the first half, even though the story revolves around him.