Marty McKee’s review published on Letterboxd:
Talky, brilliant political drama directed by Otto Preminger (SKIDOO) and screen-written by Wendell Mayes (DEATH WISH) from Allen Drury’s Pulitzer Prize-winning best seller benefits from an intelligent approach and a terrific cast. Sam Leavitt (EXODUS), the director of photography, and Preminger artfully stage the widescreen black-and-white shots to place many actors together, yet ensure your eyes are always drawn to the one who is the focus of the scene.
Franchot Tone (MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY) is the President of the United States who selects liberal Henry Fonda (MY DARLING CLEMENTINE) as his new Secretary of State. Senate Majority Leader Walter Pidgeon (FORBIDDEN PLANET) tries to push Fonda’s nomination through, but he is opposed by Commie-hunting South Carolina senator Charles Laughton (ISLAND OF LOST SOULS). Bright young senator Don Murray (BUS STOP) is chosen by Pidgeon and Majority Whip Paul Ford (SGT. BILKO’s dim general acing a dramatic role) to head up the confirmation hearings, but Fonda’s nomination falls into jeopardy when a colleague blackmails Murray. Performances range from hammy (Laughton in his last film) to subdued (Fonda), but are uniformly excellent. In particular, Ayres (JOHNNY BELINDA) shows many layers as a disrespected Vice President who proves craftier than his peers believed him to be.