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The Conversation
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The Conversation (1974) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writer:
Francis Ford Coppola (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Conversation on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1974 (Japan) more
Tagline:
Harry Caul is an invader of privacy. The best in the business. He can record any conversation between two people anywhere. So far, three people are dead because of him. more
Plot:
A paranoid and personally-secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that a couple he is spying on will be murdered. | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 11 nominations more
User Comments:
A Subtle Horror more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
113 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono | Dolby Digital (restored version)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Gene Hackman learned to play the saxophone especially for the film. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Harry Caul is in the elevator, you see the woman come in and three buttons are pushed. After stopping on a floor, a cut back to the shot of the woman and only one button remains lit whereas two should still be lit. more
Quotes:
Martin Stett: We know that you know, Mr. Caul. For your own sake, don't get involved any further. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Dean Tavoularis, le magicien d'Hollywood (2003) more
Soundtrack:
Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "The Conversation" based on a novel?
Is it true that Francis Ford Coppola was a wire-tapper himself?
more
21 out of 26 people found the following comment useful:-
A Subtle Horror, 14 June 2008
10/10
Author: alexkolokotronis from Queens, New York

To me The Conversation is one of most underrated movies ever. The movie carries on so quietly throughout that the suspense of the movie keeps on building up to one of the best endings in movie history.

The directing of this film was among one of the best I have ever seen. Coppola is able to craft his way through another one of his classics. The movie is just perfectly edited together and is so gripping throughout. His directing really takes the audiene to another world that most to almost all of us do not know about. That world is the world of security surveillance and spies. This though is not an ordinary spy movie, it is a very realistic psychological portrayal and the affects of knowing the real truth. Instead of this movie becoming a complete flop it becomes better and better as it carries on. Along with the cinematography and music he makes the audience feel how remote and controlled our society is. Coppola did not just show it he gave you the actual feeling of it. Coppola deserves much of the credit for this.

The writing was very good too. Once again Coppola uses his writing to keep the audience very much engaged into the movie. The writing in this movie ranks up their with his other screenplays such as The Godfather series, Apocalypse Now and Patton.

The acting was a bit of surprise to me. It was better than I expected. This film convinced me that Gene Hackman is prime talent. He is not just a man who plays the man always involved in a shouting match but in fact he is a versatile actor who has really limited himself rather than his abilities limiting him. He was perfect for this movie. The supporting cast was great as well. Robert Duvall who always gives the best cameos was good in here too. Harrison Ford who I wish actually had some more screen time was very convincing as a manipulative high ranking executive.

The ending in this movie to me is one of the best ever. It shows how or fears can consume us and alter our live. It displays how if our fears consume us we lose the feeling of life itself. That is at least my take of it. This is Coppola's hidden masterpiece that should be seen by all. It will definitely make you think.

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Appropriate for young teens? mark-1602
They're making it into a TV series?! Zen Bones
So boring!!!!!!! sea99doo
Some questions (SPOILERS) jmd26_0
Boring, Bland, And Uninteresting.... exclusiveburner
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