The Post (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The Post primarily takes place in Washington, D.C., which serves as the political center where pivotal decisions about the Vietnam War and freedom of the press unfold. The film also includes scenes set in Hau Giang Province in southern Vietnam, representing the battleground where the war's realities played out.

• washington dc
• setting
• locations
• vietnam war
• hau giang province

The Post spans from late 1965 during the escalating Vietnam War to 1971, when the Pentagon Papers scandal unfolded and tensions between the government and the press reached their peak.

• time period
• 1965
• 1971
• vietnam war
• pentagon papers
• history

The central theme of The Post is truth and transparency, highlighting the moral obligation of the press to expose government secrets. The film explores the conflict between national security and the public's right to know, showcasing journalism as a tool for accountability.

• truth
• transparency
• journalism
• press freedom
• government secrets
• accountability

The Post explores the challenges faced by women in leadership during a male-dominated era. Kay Graham's character embodies the struggle to assert her authority while navigating societal biases, highlighting the intersection of gender and power within the publishing industry.

• kay graham
• women leadership
• gender
• publishing
• power
• female leader

The film examines the importance of a free press in a democratic society, depicting The Post's legal battle to publish the Pentagon Papers. It underscores how the judiciary protects civil liberties against government overreach, ultimately affirming the press's role in upholding democracy.

• press freedom
• first amendment
• supreme court
• legal battle
• free press
• democracy

Kay Graham, played by Meryl Streep, is the publisher of The Washington Post. She evolves from a reserved owner into a bold leader, grappling with her late husband's legacy while making critical decisions that impact the nation's freedom of the press in a male-dominated industry.

• kay graham
• meryl streep
• publisher
• washington post
• female publisher

Ben Bradlee, played by Tom Hanks, is the managing editor of The Washington Post known for his commitment to investigative journalism. He leads the team to publish the Pentagon Papers despite significant legal risks, embodying the challenges of leading a newspaper during a tumultuous time.

• ben bradlee
• tom hanks
• managing editor
• journalist
• editor
• washington post

Daniel Ellsberg is the whistleblower who leaks the Pentagon Papers, exposing government dishonesty about the Vietnam War. His transformation from a government insider to someone determined to reveal the truth illustrates the moral dilemma individuals face when confronting authority.

• daniel ellssberg
• whistleblower
• pentagon papers
• leak
• vietnam war

Ben Bagdikian, played by Bob Odenkirk, is a relentless journalist at The Post who plays a vital role in securing the Pentagon Papers from Daniel Ellsberg. His character represents the dedication of the press to uncover the truth and shape the historical narrative surrounding the scandal.

• ben bagdikian
• bob odenkirk
• journalist
• reporter
• pentagon papers

The Post addresses the conflict between government secrecy and the public's right to know, particularly regarding the Vietnam War. The film shows how decades of concealed information were exposed through the Pentagon Papers, challenging the government's claims of national security.

• government secrecy
• national security
• public right to know
• pentagon papers
• deception

The Post depicts the legal challenges faced by The Washington Post when publishing the Pentagon Papers, exploring how justice and freedom of expression intersect. The film highlights the judiciary's role in protecting civil liberties and the high stakes of legal battles surrounding press freedom.

• law
• justice
• first amendment
• legal challenge
• supreme court
• civil liberties