Cheap The Conversation (DVD) (Gene Hackman, John Cazale) (Francis Ford Coppola) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Conversation

Just Because You Are Paranoid...
...Doesn't Mean You're Not Being Followed. Filmed and released between Coppola's masterpiece's THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER 2, The Conversation is a tremendous character study with teh flavors of a thriller. Gene Hackman, brings an incredible complexity and subtlety to his portrayal of Harry Caul. That performance and Francis Ford Coppola's direction and original script make this a film that is possibly more poignant today than during its original release, since the story deals with privacy and responsibility. Today, many of the feats performed by Caul as a surveillance operator, are available with most personal computers. Adorned with great characters, like John Cazale and Robert Duvall(both of THE GODFATHER), Cindy Williams and Harrison Ford in an early role as a Christmas Cookie baking weasel (both of AMERICAN GRAFITTI). But, its Hackman's story and his paranoia is evident from the get go. I believe it was the filmmakers intent for you to be left thinking when the film is over... they succeeded. The DVD is nicely restored with great sound design properly presented as well as a non-promotional mini-documentary and commentaries by Francis Ford and an editor.

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Hackman And Coppola At Peak Performance
Hubby and I have seen this movie many times since it originally screened in the 1970s. It holds up beautifully and is absolutely top work from these two superstars. The plot was very popular post Watergate: paranoia especially about who might be checking you out and how. Hackman is superb as Harry whose career is listening in on others as the creme de al creme of surveillance experts. He happens to pick up the conversation of a man and a woman who are possibly involved in a murder plot. Like peeling an onion, we go through layer after layer of Harry's surveillance work. We will unravel this mystery but this movie offers so much more than a mystery. The genius of this film is that even though the technology is dated by our year 2000, the movie holds up because it is not really about technology. It is a very profound movie about much deeper subjects including the cumulative effects of loneliness, isolation and alienation. The one scene of Hackman that remains riveted in my mind for all time is him looking for a surveillance bug in his own house, tearing his place up plank by plank. His sole connection to his feelings, emotions and life itself is his relationship with his saxophone and I will always remember him playing it in the ruins of his house. This film also has other delights, including a supporting cast that contains Frederic Forrest, Terri Garr, Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford (briefly) and the wonderful John Cazale (Fredo from the "Godfather" films) who sadly died in his early 30s from bone cancer before we had more of his acting work by which to remember him.

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The Commentaries Embellish This DVD
This is an excellent piece of filmaking. Very, very underated to date although many of the Amazon posts catch this piece of story telling. Like the parallel editing sequence that MADE the end of Godfather 1, really kill (pardon the pun) at least according to Robert Evans (The Kid Stays in the Picture)-it is interesting to note that this particular new editor of "The Conversation"-contributed alot of great ideas to the story as well as working on the sound mixing. FFC was off working on Godfather II, so perhaps the Editor has a little more freedom and time to work his magic. Funny-most of the workers of the young studio were non-union so he could not even be credited as a picture or sound Editor. Famous Director of Photography Haskell Wexler was "let go" by Francis very early on and replaced. This action gave the film a superior look, for the theme of the film. You have to love the retro vibe of all that electronic tape gear in the digital age we now live. The visual look is crisp and stunning. If you view this DVD-watch BOTH commentaries. The haunting piano melody over the DVD Menu and that appears throughout the story-is worth appreciation alone. I actually sat down and counted out both sets of machine gun triplets in what is a rather dreamy piece of solo piano. As many have said already-this belongs in your DVD library. And let's not forget the early work here of Harrison Ford-complete with scar on his chin; Cindy Williams; Robert Duvall and Teri Garr. Enjoy and relish. People ARE watching and listening. Even Gene Hackman's sax has "ears."