The film centers on the rise and fall of an idealistic-but-ruthless politician in the American South,[3] patterned after Louisiana Governor Huey Long.

In 2001, All the King's Men was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

[5] Reporter Jack Burden is sent on assignment to write about Willie Stark, a man running for county treasurer in an unnamed Southern state.

Willie uses this to build his political momentum, and he is eventually drafted as a spoiler candidate for Governor by the frontrunner in a three-way race.

Initially Stark has trouble on the campaign trail as he speaks obtusely and plainly about his balanced budget plan for the state.

Ultimately Stark loses the race, but draws large grassroots support from the rural areas of the state as he identifies as one of them – a fooled "hick."

Skeptical of Stark's alleged deals and big promises, Adam, brother of Jack Burden's girlfriend, Anne Stanton, asks questions and is not fully convinced.

Burden gets the group on board by promising State Attorney General to Anne's uncle, the honest Judge Stanton.

During his time as Governor, Stark ends up utilizing his power in aggressive and corrupt ways as Burden develops a black book of biographical leverage to extract political favors and votes in support of their agenda.

He covers up a scandal by a member of his administration, after which Judge Stanton resigns as Attorney General and publicly asserts Stark's corruption.

Adam, preferring to wait for a specialist, ultimately agrees to operate after Stark clumsily tries to entice him by offering to build a new hospital for the public.

In desperation, Stark visits Judge Stanton and attempts to strongarm him to release his senators with the evidence that Burden found, given to him by Anne.

Rossen's script makes several changes to the novel, including shifting the main story perspective from reporter Jack Burden, the novel's narrator, to Willie Stark himself.

[8] Rossen originally offered the starring role to John Wayne, who found the proposed film script unpatriotic and indignantly refused the part.

[9] Rossen felt that Crawford's burly demeanor and "tough guy" appearance were well-suited to portray Stark, as both an everyman and a demagogue.

[9] In preparation for the role, Crawford studied newsreel footage and voice recordings of Huey Long, though he noted the studio had an unspoken rule against mentioning the late Governor's death on set.

[12] The old San Joaquin County courthouse in Stockton, built in 1898 and demolished about a dozen years after the film's release, was featured prominently.

"[13] After All the King's Men won its Academy Award for Best Picture, Harry Cohn repeatedly gave Parrish credit for saving the film.

"[19] Author Harry Keyishian wonders if Willie Stark is "a good man corrupted by the political process, or a bad one whose inherent vice emerges when he gets a chance for power.

All the King's Men film noir themes discussed in essay, "Violence and the Bitch Goddess" by Stephen Farber, pgs.