1975
In 1972, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein investigate a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, uncovering connections to the Committee to Re-elect the President. Woodward cultivates a secret source, Deep Throat, who provides cryptic guidance on the money trail and the involvement of high-ranking White House officials, while Bernstein traces a suspicious check. Facing increasing pressure and threats, the reporters uncover a vast network of political espionage and sabotage, including a secret slush fund and a "dirty tricks" campaign. Their relentless reporting ultimately exposes the full extent of the Watergate conspiracy, leading to President Richard Nixon's resignation and a profound shift in American political history.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein obsessively investigate the Watergate break-in, guided by clandestine tips from Deep Throat.
Open full beat sheetBob Woodward is listed as Reporter. Young, persistent, and meticulous Washington Post reporter. In the parsed data, Bob Woodward is connected to 52 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 42 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
52 scenes / 42 dialogue linesCarl Bernstein is listed as Reporter. Experienced, energetic, and aggressive Washington Post reporter. In the parsed data, Carl Bernstein is connected to 48 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
48 scenes / 24 dialogue linesHarry Rosenfeld is listed as Editor. Washington Post editor, constantly chewing Maalox tablets. In the parsed data, Harry Rosenfeld is connected to 14 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
14 scenes / 3 dialogue linesBen Bradlee is listed as Executive Editor. Executive Editor of the Washington Post, demanding and authoritative. In the parsed data, Ben Bradlee is connected to 12 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
12 scenes / 18 dialogue linesHoward Simons is listed as Managing Editor. Managing Editor of the Washington Post. In the parsed data, Howard Simons is connected to 10 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
10 scenes / 5 dialogue linesDeep Throat is listed as Informant. High-level, mysterious government informant. In the parsed data, Deep Throat is connected to 4 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
4 scenes / 15 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 51.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesHugh Sloan is listed as Former CREEP Treasurer. Former treasurer for the Committee to Re-elect the President. In the parsed data, Hugh Sloan is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJames McCord is listed as Burglar. Security consultant and Watergate burglar. In the parsed data, James McCord is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 4.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesKatharine Graham is listed as Publisher. Publisher of the Washington Post. In the parsed data, Katharine Graham is connected to 1 scene, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
1 scenes / 4 dialogue linesDouglas Caddy is listed as Attorney. Attorney involved with the Watergate burglars. In the parsed data, Douglas Caddy is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesWoodward is woken up by a phone call from Harry Rosenfeld regarding the Watergate break-in.
Bob Woodward, Harry RosenfeldWoodward arrives at the office and is briefed by Rosenfeld on the Watergate burglars.
Bob Woodward, Harry RosenfeldWoodward investigates the lawyers for the burglars and confronts Douglas Caddy.
Bob Woodward, Douglas Caddy, James McCordThe burglars appear in court and McCord reveals his CIA background.
Bob Woodward, James McCordWoodward updates Rosenfeld and Simons on his findings regarding Howard Hunt.
Bob Woodward, Harry Rosenfeld, Howard SimonsWoodward and Bernstein argue over the rewriting of Woodward's story in the coffee lounge.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein discuss their assignment to the Watergate break-in.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein seek leads on Hunt and the White House.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, char_11Woodward and Bernstein investigate Hunt's library records.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein search through thousands of request slips.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinBradlee rejects the reporters' story for lack of hard evidence.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Ben Bradlee, Harry RosenfeldWoodward meets Deep Throat in an underground garage.
Bob Woodward, Deep ThroatWoodward meets Deep Throat to discuss the Watergate investigation and the money trail.
Bob Woodward, Deep ThroatBernstein struggles with his bike, and Woodward arrives with news from the New York Times.
Carl Bernstein, Bob WoodwardBernstein meets Irwin from the phone company to discuss the Times article.
Carl BernsteinBernstein asks Rosenfeld to send him to Miami.
Carl Bernstein, Harry RosenfeldRosenfeld convinces Simons to let Bernstein go to Miami.
Harry Rosenfeld, Howard SimonsBernstein packs for Miami while his ex-wife Hannah helps him with his finances.
Carl BernsteinBernstein waits to see Martin Dardis.
Carl BernsteinBernstein gets information from Dardis about the Dahlberg check.
Carl BernsteinBernstein calls Woodward to coordinate the search for Dahlberg.
Carl Bernstein, Bob WoodwardWoodward calls Dahlberg and confirms the money was for the campaign.
Bob WoodwardThe story is published, but it is overshadowed by other news.
Bob Woodward, Harry RosenfeldEditors debate the importance of the Watergate story.
Harry Rosenfeld, Ben Bradlee, Howard SimonsEditors debate the validity of the Watergate story and the risks of continuing coverage.
Harry Rosenfeld, Ben Bradlee, Howard SimonsUnion workers discuss the latest Watergate headline.
Bernstein meets with a frightened CREEP employee.
Carl BernsteinJane confronts Bernstein in a panic.
Carl BernsteinWoodward attempts to contact Martha Mitchell.
Bob WoodwardWoodward and Bernstein debrief on the Martha Mitchell encounter.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein get lost while trying to visit CREEP employees.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein eat and discuss their lack of progress.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinBernstein interviews a bookkeeper.
Carl BernsteinBernstein interviews the Bookkeeper about the CREEP slush fund while her sister brings coffee.
Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein review notes from the Bookkeeper interview.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein drive to find Hugh Sloan.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein meet Mrs. Sloan.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein eat junk food and discuss the case.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein interview Hugh Sloan.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Hugh SloanWoodward and Bernstein brief the editors on the Mitchell story.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Harry Rosenfeld, Ben Bradlee, Howard SimonsBernstein calls John Mitchell for comment.
Carl BernsteinBradlee, Simons, Rosenfeld, Woodward, and Bernstein review teletype reports regarding the Watergate story.
Ben Bradlee, Howard Simons, Harry Rosenfeld, Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinUnion workers react to a new headline about Nixon aides concealing facts.
Simons walks Woodward to the elevator and discusses his upcoming meeting with Mrs. Graham.
Howard Simons, Bob WoodwardWoodward meets with Katharine Graham to discuss the integrity of the Watergate story.
Katharine Graham, Bob WoodwardBradlee confronts Woodward and Bernstein about being beaten by the L.A. Times on the Baldwin interview.
Ben Bradlee, Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinBernstein tells Woodward about a tip regarding Donald Segretti and dirty tricks.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein analyze credit card receipts to track Segretti's movements.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinBernstein interviews Donald Segretti in California.
Carl BernsteinWoodward meets Deep Throat and discovers a mysterious drunk in the shadows.
Bob Woodward, Deep ThroatMarilyn Berger approaches Bernstein and Woodward to reveal that Ken Clawsen admitted to writing the Canuck letter.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, char_11Woodward and Bernstein discuss the possibility of being set up by the White House.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward calls Ken Clawsen to verify Berger's story.
Bob WoodwardBradlee confronts Clawsen over the phone while Woodward and Bernstein listen.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Ben BradleeWoodward and Bernstein report that Larry Young will provide a sworn statement about Chapin and Segretti.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Harry Rosenfeld, Howard SimonsBradlee meets with Woodward and Bernstein; they are confronted by Glenn Sedam.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Ben BradleeWoodward and Bernstein help Hugh Sloan with housework while pressing him for information on Haldeman.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Hugh SloanWoodward and Bernstein watch a couple in the park, wondering if it is Haldeman.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein confront an FBI agent who mistakenly confirms Haldeman's involvement.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinEditors debate printing the Haldeman story; they demand another source.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Harry Rosenfeld, Ben Bradlee, Howard SimonsBernstein gets a final confirmation from a Justice Department lawyer.
Carl BernsteinBradlee and the reporters watch the news as Sloan's lawyer denies the Haldeman implication.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Ben BradleeWoodward and Bernstein walk in the rain, realizing their credibility is destroyed.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein sit exhausted at their desks while Bradlee and his editors discuss the paper's stance on the Watergate story.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Harry Rosenfeld, Ben Bradlee, Howard SimonsWoodward receives a call from Bernstein and rushes out to meet Deep Throat.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinWoodward is followed by two men while trying to reach Deep Throat.
Bob WoodwardDeep Throat scolds Woodward for moving too fast and reveals Haldeman's involvement.
Bob Woodward, Deep ThroatWoodward and Bernstein meet Bradlee on his lawn to discuss the new information.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Ben BradleeWoodward and Bernstein continue working as the historical consequences of their reporting unfold.
Bob Woodward, Carl BernsteinLook, you're both probably a little tired, right? You should be, you've been under a lot of pressure. So go home, have a nice hot bath, rest up fifteen minutes if you want before you get your asses back in gear-- because we're under a lot of pressure, too, and you put us there-- not that I want it to worry you-- nothing's riding on you except the First Amendment of the Constitution plus the freedom of the press plus the reputation of a hundred-year-old paper plus the jobs of the two thousand people who work there-- but none of that counts as much as this: you fuck up again, I'm gonna lose my temper. I promise you, you don't want me to lose my temper. Move-move-move--what have you done for me tomorrow...?
--you've done worse than let Haldeman slip away, you've got people feeling sorry for him--I didn't think that was possible. A conspiracy like this-- the rope has to tighten slowly around everyone's neck. You build from the outer edges and you go step by step. If you shoot too high and miss, then everybody feels more secure. You've put the investigation back months.
--for the first time I'm beginning to feel like a fucking reporter--Woodward, I got a tip. A guy called me up with a tip--someone named Donald Segretti contacted a bunch of lawyers and asked them if they'd like to go to work with him screwing up the Democrats, dirty tricks, shit like that.
Maybe to fire you--since you two started on this story, the Post stock has dropped, what, 50 percent? And the word is some Nixon people are challenging her TV licenses. I'm not saying she's going on relief, but I don't think it's unreasonable for her to want to meet you.
Mitchell started the cover-up early, everyone is involved in the cover-up, all the way to the top. The whole U.S. intelligence community is mixed in with the covert activities. The extent of it is incredible. And people's lives are in danger, maybe including ours.
What was the mistake? Do you think it's been rigged, all along the way, leading us on so they could slip it to us when it mattered? They couldn't have set us up better; after all these months our credibility's gone, you know what that means?
All right, you made a mistake maybe, we all have, just don't make another. And watch your personal lives, who you hang around with. Someone once said the price of democracy is a bloodletting every ten years. Make sure it isn't our blood...
All right--listen--it's against the law if you talk about the Grand Jury, right? But you don't have to say a thing--I'll count to ten--if the story's wrong, hang up before I get there--if it's OK stay on the line till after, got it?
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