Sony Pictures Gets Watergate Scandal Film ‘The Silent Man’ Starring Liam Neeson
When Liam Neeson’s name is attached to a film, you know it’s going to be a good one. He’s extremely talented, bad ass, and he’s a risk taker. These traits carry over to the roles he takes on as well, and that is proving to be extremely true with the newest film his name is attached to which Sony Pictures just got the rights to. Deadline first made the report this morning.
The Silent Man tells the story of ‘Deep Throat’, an informant who’s guidance was the key to The Washington Post’s coverage of The Watergate Scandal that led to President Nixon’s resignation in 1974. While his identity remained anonymous for 30 years, on May 31, 2005, Mark Felt revealed that he’d been the man behind ‘Deep Throat’s’ identity.
While many people know Felt’s name, not as many truly know what he risked and sacrificed in the name of justice and let the truth be known. Just as many people also don’t know the code for contact between Felt and Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward. Wikipedia explains it here by excerpts from Berenstein and Woodward’s All The President’s Men.
‘Woodward claimed that when he wanted to meet Deep Throat, he would move a flowerpot with a red flag on the balcony of his apartment, number 617, at the Webster House at 1718 P Street, Northwest, and on occasion when Deep Throat wanted a meeting, he would circle the page number on page twenty of Woodward’s copy of The New York Times and draw clock hands to signal the hour.’
It may seem like extremes were taken, but they were absolutely necessary, especially since it was speculated that Mark Felt was the informant, but his loyal nature and his work ethic made those around him defend him against claims that he’d done any leaking of information.
Now, the story is coming to the big screen, and if we didn’t make it obvious by now, Liam Neeson is playing Mark Felt. The scene is captivating, and it makes us more excited to see the film in its entirety.
Sony Pictures Classics had this to say about the film and how it’s being released at an incredibly important time.
‘Mark Felt was one of the most instrumental figures in American history and yet very little is known of him and the risks he took to reveal the truth. This is an incredible story well told by Peter and his creative team, with a top-notch cast led by an extraordinary performance from Liam. This film could be not more timely and relevant for audiences.‘
The rest of the cast is just as incredible. Alongside Liam will be Diane Lane, Marton Csokas, Josh Lucas, Tony Goldwyn, Michael C. Hall, Tom Sizemore, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Ike Barinholtz – just to name a few.
The Silent Man should hit theaters in the US this fall. Are you looking forward to seeing Liam Neeson take on the role of Mark Felt? Do you agree that the film is coming at the perfect time? Let us know.
‘…but I knew him’
