The Conversation

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The Conversation

PG

Released Apr 7, 1974

1h 53m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

133 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client's brusque aide (Harrison Ford) to tail a young couple, Mark (Frederic Forrest) and Ann (Cindy Williams). Tracking the pair through San Francisco's Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.

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Critics Consensus

This tense, paranoid thriller presents Francis Ford Coppola at his finest -- and makes some remarkably advanced arguments about technology's role in society that still resonate today.

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Rex Reed

New York Daily News

It is a superior movie, a dynamic social document, and an exemplary public service. In every way, a Kilimanjaro among motion pictures.

Sep 24, 2024

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

The Conversation is driven by an inner logic. It's a little thin, because the logic is the working out of one character's obsession, but it's a buggy movie that can get to you so that when it's over you really feel you're being bugged.

Sep 24, 2024

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Andrew Sarris

Village Voice

Coppola never lets us in on any of the tactical details. Obviously, he opts for surprise over suspense, but even his surprises are muffled by his solemn gaze.

Sep 24, 2024

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Giles M. Fowler

Kansas City Star

To call The Conversation a thriller alone is about as accurate as calling Hamlet a revenge melodrama. Ideas ripple the surface of the film like tremors in disturbed water.

Sep 24, 2024

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Arthur Steele

Birmingham Mail

Hackman is quietly magnificent -- so real in emotions you feel that if you touched the screen you would feel the flesh of his face.

Sep 24, 2024

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Norman Dresser

Toledo Blade

Coppola has delivered in one neatly tied package a near cinematic masterpiece, a work which could not be transformed, without great loss of effectiveness, to the stage, the printed word, or any other art form.

Sep 24, 2024

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Wes

Maybe I would have appreciated it more if I was an adult back in the 70s. Boring. It’s interesting getting a look at 70s urban blight. Union Square became a big skate spot 20 years later. Movies like this are why Star Wars was such a hit and came at the right time. What a contrast!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

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Alexander

Super boring. Francis made this after The Godfather and even explains in the mini interview that he did not screen it with anyone except for a few babysitters. Maybe he knew subconsciously that this is a terrible movie and couldnt stand any honest feedback. Waste of my time and money. I walked out less than halfway into it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

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Alysha S

The story is especially good because of a remarkable plot twist and the film offers bounteous amounts of quality directing, cinematography, and acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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Alejandro E

Who spies on those who spy? As a paranoia-laden thriller it does its job well, though it takes its time to take shape.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

Leo P

Hackman is great with old technology. Lots of screwing, switching, and dialing takes place. I hoped the story would pick up at some point. But it didn't.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/03/24

Full Review

Lydia B

I usually love Hackman's movies, but this was two hours of my life I'll never get back! Sooooo very slow. Great concept. Very poor development. I could have watched 25-30 minutes and understood just as much. Waste of time just to see Hackman's character misunderstand a conversation and lose his marbles.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

Full Review

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Francis Ford Coppola

Director

Gene Hackman

Harry Caul

John Cazale

Stan

Frederic Forrest

Mark

Allen Garfield

William P. "Bernie" Moran

Cindy Williams

Ann

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The Conversation: Official Clip - I'm Not Afraid of Death

2:51

The Conversation: Official Clip - What Will You Do to Her?

2:15

The Conversation: Official Clip - He'd Kill Us If He Got the Chance

2:04

The Conversation: Official Clip - The Bugger Got Bugged

1:42

The Conversation: Official Clip - Phone Tap

1:59

The Conversation: Official Clip - What a Stupid Conversation

2:07

The Conversation: Official Clip - I'm Your Secret

2:13

The Conversation: Official Clip - Bug Hunt

2:59

The Conversation: Official Clip - Someone May Get Hurt

1:47

The Conversation: Official Clip - Scene of the Crime

2:05

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Synopsis

Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client's brusque aide (Harrison Ford) to tail a young couple, Mark (Frederic Forrest) and Ann (Cindy Williams). Tracking the pair through San Francisco's Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Producer: Francis Ford Coppola
Screenwriter: Francis Ford Coppola
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: The Directors Company, American Zoetrope
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 7, 1974, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $143.4K
Runtime: 1h 53m

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