The Conversation (1974)

★ 7.5 1h 54m 2,005 votes IMDb
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A paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered.

The Conversation

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Cast

Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman as Harry Caul Died 2025 · San Bernardino, California, USA Eugene Allen Hackman (January 30, 1930 – c. February 18, 2025) was an American actor. Hackman made his credited film debut in the drama Lilith (1964). He later won two Academy Awards, his first for Be...
John Cazale
John Cazale as Stan Died 1978 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA John Holland Cazale (August 12, 1935 - March 12, 1978) was an American actor. He appeared in five films during six years, each one nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: The Godfather, The...
Allen Garfield
Allen Garfield as William P. 'Bernie' Moran Died 2020 · Newark, New Jersey, USA Allen Garfield, born and sometimes credited as Allen Goorwitz (November 22, 1939 - April 7, 2020), was an American film and television actor. Garfield was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Alice...
Frederic Forrest
Frederic Forrest as Mark Died 2023 · Waxahachie, Texas, USA Frederic Fenimore Forrest Jr. (December 23, 1936 – June 23, 2023) was an American actor. A figure of the New Hollywood movement, Forrest was best known for his collaborations with director Francis For...
Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams as Ann Died 2023 · Los Angeles, California, USA Cynthia Jane "Cindy" Williams (August 22, 1947 - January 25, 2023) was an American actress best known for starring in the television situation-comedy series Laverne & Shirley, in the role of "Shirley...
Michael Higgins
Michael Higgins as Paul Died 2008 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA Michael Higgins was born on January 20, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA as Michael Patrick Higgins Jr. He was an actor, known for State and Main (2000), Springfield Story (1952) and D...

Audience Reviews

talisencrw 10/10 May 02, 2016
Unfortunately, it appears with every passing day that the great American paranoid political thrillers of the 60's and 70's, with its strongest work bookended by 'The Manchurian Candidate' (eerily foreseeing the JFK assassination) and 'All the President's Men' (placing a coda of closure on the Watergate scandal), simply haven't aged a day, and are as timely as ever in conceptualizing the palpable fear that ordinary citizens have in those in control of their destinies, namely the police and government of their communities. It's the American ideal that any person born, regardless of circumstances, is in control of their destiny, and that with hard work, guile and determination, can make something of himself. Whether that was ever the case is questionable, but it seems more than ever that the people in power are in control of way more than we could ever suppose, or would ever want to know.

This was a nice smaller-scale film that, incredulously, Coppola was able to dish up in a run that is one of the finest a director would ever have, up there with Hitchcock's in the late 50's-early 60's, and Melville a decade later. It's definitely excellent work by Hackman (along with his Popeye Doyle in the pair of great 'French Connection' movies), and is up there with the greatest dissertations ever about the double-edged sword of surveillance, namely De Palma's 'Blow Out' and Antonioni's 'Blow-Up'.

As a human being, I only wish this film wasn't as important as it is.
tensharpe 8/10 Jan 26, 2023
"The Conversation" is a tense thriller that explores how paranoia can take over all aspects of everyday life once something disturbing is discovered.

Paid to eavesdrop on two people in a public place, Harry Caul ( Gene Hackman ) records the conversation and after some work produces a tape with clarity for his client. However Harry is riddled with guilt from a previous job that led to the people involved being hurt and both a woman and child murdered. This leads him to question his actions and clearly the job he is doing.

Despite colleagues, friends and suppliers of surveillance equipment looking up to Harry as one of the best in the business he clearly has lost his edge and his way. This is shown over a period of time through various actions. His flat is easily broken into by his landlord and his mail read. Harry is easily duped at a trade show by a competitor who bugs him with a pen and his girlfriend states "once I saw you up by the staircase , hiding and watching for a whole hour". Meanwhile despite his phone being supposedly unlisted both his landlord and his client have the number and to his surprise call him.

After listening many times to the tapes of the conversation, Harry believes that the two involved fear they could be hurt or even killed for their actions. However a trick is a trick or job is a job ( according to his girlfriend/ escort ) but riddled with guilt he fails to deliver. Once again he shows his unprofessionalism by allowing the tapes to be stolen ( by his girlfriend/ escort ) As the film concludes it becomes clear that conversations can be misinterpreted and may not be as obvious as first thought. Harry's paranoia is compounded even more once he discovers the truth behind "The Conversation," which results in a very satisfying ending.
CinemaSerf 7/10 May 27, 2023
Gene Hackman is superb here as "Harry" - a super-efficient surveillance expert who discovers in the line of duty that a couple he is monitoring might well be about to be murdered. It becomes clear that the couple - Cindy Williams & Frederic Forrest are having an affair but that is just the tip of the conspiratorial iceberg in this tautly scripted/directed effort from Francis Ford Coppola. It's a slow burn, at times it certainly does drag, but the subtleties with which the cat and mouse swap places, alongside some great supporting roles from John Cazale and Harrison Ford make it quite an enthralling watch - and certainly one of Hackman's best, most emotionally charged, performances.
Muypfbogbchidv 8/10 Jul 31, 2024
“The Conversation” is not what you’d expect - but, it must be said, is fantastic and nearly flawless in its own right.

It is more similar to Antonioni’s “Blow” than DePalma’s, and a sense of eeriness flows throughout the work,
bolstered by Gene Hackman’s solemn and brooding performance.

The best thing about this movie though, is the shocking third act, which I wouldn’t dare spoil here.

Overall, though the second act may be slightly underbaked, “The Conversation” is a fantastic film and one of Francis Ford Coppola’s best.

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