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The Parallax View

Play trailer Poster for The Parallax View R 1974 1h 42m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
After a presidential candidate is assassinated, political reporter Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) begins to suspect that the mysterious Parallax Corporation may be involved. As he investigates, others who share his suspicions start turning up dead, including his editor, Bill Rintels (Hume Cronyn). Eventually, Frady uncovers a conspiracy bigger than anyone expected and must race to prevent the corporation's next big hit as this political thriller plays out in an explosive game of cat and mouse.
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The Parallax View

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Critics Consensus

The Parallax View blends deft direction from Alan J. Pakula and a charismatic Warren Beatty performance to create a paranoid political thriller that stands with the genre's best.

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Critics Reviews

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Kat Sachs Chicago Reader Aug 28
If you’re not sucked in by the The Parallax View’s absurd-but-apparently-true conspiracy, then you will be by Gordon Willis’s hauntingly atmospheric cinematography. Go to Full Review
Penelope Gilliatt The New Yorker 03/05/2024
The point of this sort of movie seems to be to arouse outrage without offending anyone. Go to Full Review
Molly Haskell Village Voice 04/20/2022
The Parallax View is a movie of splendid bits and pieces disappointingly strung together. Go to Full Review
Ian Kane Epoch Times 09/03/2024
4/5
“The Parallax View” is a gripping thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each new twist and turn in the story. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 06/14/2024
4/5
Fifty years after its release, The Parallax View holds up as a political thriller depicting the 1970s paranoia. Go to Full Review
Alan Jones Radio Times 01/24/2024
5/5
Excellent script by David Giler and Lorenzo Semple Jr, stunning photography by... Gordon Willis, and perfect acting, the story of Beatty's infiltration of the society and his attempt to foil yet another killing is riveting, fascinating and nerve-racking. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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@LienEd Jan 12 To reference Mark Fisher: The film acts as a meta-conspiracy narrative in which the journalist does not just attempt to uncover one singular event but rather a structural all encompassing conspiracy, which perfectly articulates the inescapability of capitalist coercion. The lack of resolution and the final action sequence has a firm grasp on the anonymous and bureaucratic nature of violence under our totally administered society. The hiring of corporate hitmen is not exactly that far fetched either. Many a MNC had funded death squads and militants in the global south. The United Food Company helped orchestrate a coup with the CIA in Guatemala to gain access to its bananna supply in the 50s, and the coca cola company alledgedly funded paramilitary groups to murder union organizers in Columbia in the 2000s. Violence persists as a structural consequence, not individual evils. See more O g Oct 3 The best of Pakula for me. A decent thriller with a mere suggestion of Bourne. The fact it remains partially unresolved only adds to the satisfaction. See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Sep 22 The 1970s produced the greatest political/conspiracy thrillers and this is one of the best. Clever, plausible and taut. Maybe more relevant today than ever. See more alan g @agenser Sep 3 Too confusing and absurd. Hokeywoods brief obsession with journalists as action heroes. What was up with that? Warren Beatty can't act and sleep walks through the film. He got films because he looked good (?). He only started to become a decent actor after Annette. See more richard c Jun 21 Absolutely superb conspiracy thriller from the '70s. Warren Beatty is a reporter for a small town paper who investigates a friends death. They were both there when a senator was assassinated at the space needle. This opening sequence is superb and the ending WOW! The air of paranoia is intense and the music also the cinematography all excellent. All acting is good 👍, superb direction too. One small gripe is why we don't see Warren's reaction after the brain washing? Don't miss See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 2 Success in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Parallax View

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The Parallax View

The Parallax View: Official Clip - One Way Out The Parallax View: Official Clip - One Way Out 1:15 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Warning Sign The Parallax View: Official Clip - Warning Sign 2:00 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Don't Touch Me Unless You Love Me The Parallax View: Official Clip - Don't Touch Me Unless You Love Me 2:09 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Recruitment Test The Parallax View: Official Clip - Recruitment Test 2:07 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Hammond's Assassination The Parallax View: Official Clip - Hammond's Assassination 1:36 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Boating Accident The Parallax View: Official Clip - Boating Accident 2:00 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Reporting the News, Not Creating It The Parallax View: Official Clip - Reporting the News, Not Creating It 1:53 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Space Needle Assassination The Parallax View: Official Clip - Space Needle Assassination 1:41 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Somebody's Trying to Kill Me The Parallax View: Official Clip - Somebody's Trying to Kill Me 1:48 The Parallax View: Official Clip - Cop Car Chase The Parallax View: Official Clip - Cop Car Chase 1:47 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis After a presidential candidate is assassinated, political reporter Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) begins to suspect that the mysterious Parallax Corporation may be involved. As he investigates, others who share his suspicions start turning up dead, including his editor, Bill Rintels (Hume Cronyn). Eventually, Frady uncovers a conspiracy bigger than anyone expected and must race to prevent the corporation's next big hit as this political thriller plays out in an explosive game of cat and mouse.
Director
Alan J. Pakula
Producer
Alan J. Pakula
Screenwriter
David Giler, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Loren Singer
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Doubleday Productions, Harbor Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 14, 1974, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 24, 2010
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Mono
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