The Post
Quick Summary
The Post is a 2017 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film centers on the true story of The Washington Post's efforts to publish the Pentagon Papers in 1971. These classified documents revealed the U.S. Department of Defense's extensive history and involvement in the Vietnam War.
The film follows The Washington Post's executive editor, Ben Bradlee (played by Tom Hanks), and its owner, Katharine Graham (played by Meryl Streep), as they navigate the legal and political challenges of publishing the controversial papers. The decision to publish was a significant moment for journalism, highlighting the role of the press in holding the government accountable. The film was well-received for its portrayal of this critical event in American history.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Tom Hanks…Hanks reunited with Spielberg for The Post (both 2017), about publication of the Pentagon Papers. In the drama, he portrayed Ben Bradlee, executive editor of The Washington Post. In 2019 Hanks played another real person, Mister Rogers, in the biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. For his performance, Hanks
Read More…Hanks reunited with Spielberg for The Post (both 2017), about publication of the Pentagon Papers. In the drama, he portrayed Ben Bradlee, executive editor of The Washington Post. In 2019 Hanks played another real person, Mister Rogers, in the biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. For his performance, Hanks
Read More
Tracy LettsFilm credits from 2017 included The Post, which also starred Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, and the acclaimed coming-of-age tale Lady Bird. In 2019 Letts starred in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and appeared in Little Women, a film adaptation of Louisa May
Read MoreFilm credits from 2017 included The Post, which also starred Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, and the acclaimed coming-of-age tale Lady Bird. In 2019 Letts starred in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and appeared in Little Women, a film adaptation of Louisa May
Read More
Sarah PaulsonOther film and television roles…Bradlee, in the political drama The Post (2017). Paulson also had roles in Ocean’s Eight (2018), Bird Box (2018), Glass (2019), The Goldfinch (2019), and Run (2020). In 2020 Paulson appeared as Alice Macray, a friend and collaborator of activist Phyllis Schlafly, in FX’s limited
Read More…Bradlee, in the political drama The Post (2017). Paulson also had roles in Ocean’s Eight (2018), Bird Box (2018), Glass (2019), The Goldfinch (2019), and Run (2020). In 2020 Paulson appeared as Alice Macray, a friend and collaborator of activist Phyllis Schlafly, in FX’s limited
Read More
Jesse PlemonsBreakthrough roles…appeared in another Spielberg film, The Post, about The Washington Post’s publication of the Pentagon Papers. He later was the narrator of Adam McKay’s biopic Vice (2018), about Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), who served as vice president under U.S. Pres. George W. Bush. Plemons highlighted his comedic skills in
Read More…appeared in another Spielberg film, The Post, about The Washington Post’s publication of the Pentagon Papers. He later was the narrator of Adam McKay’s biopic Vice (2018), about Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), who served as vice president under U.S. Pres. George W. Bush. Plemons highlighted his comedic skills in
Read More
Meryl StreepLater films and television workStreep next starred in The Post, portraying Katharine Graham, owner of The Washington Post. The drama, directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicles the newspaper’s publication of the Pentagon Papers. For her performance, Streep was nominated for another Academy Award. She then reprised her role as Donna in Mamma Mia!
Read MoreStreep next starred in The Post, portraying Katharine Graham, owner of The Washington Post. The drama, directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicles the newspaper’s publication of the Pentagon Papers. For her performance, Streep was nominated for another Academy Award. She then reprised her role as Donna in Mamma Mia!
Read More