Woodward and Bernstein: Lighting the Fire

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward changed American history through their dogged pursuit of the truth in uncovering the story of Watergate. Starting small and building step-by-step, they connected the dots that led from a third-rate burglary at the Watergate Office Building to the resignation of the President of the United States. This documentary asks the question: If two young reporters uncovered a national crime in the White House today, could they be as successful as Woodward and Bernstein were in the 1970s? Through interviews with prominent journalists such Walter Cronkite, Jonathan Alter, Linda Ellerbee, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, we take an insightful look at the state of investigative journalism in America today.

Directed by Gary Leva, Woodward and Bernstein: Lighting the Fire leans on a strong ensemble — Hal Holbrook, Greg Krikorian, Linda Ellerbee — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2006.