The Conspirator

Name: The Conspirator
Genre: Drama
Released: April 15, 2011
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 55

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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The Conspirator

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: April 15, 2011 | PG-13

Summary: The Conspirator" is a period drama based on true events following the assassination of President Lincoln. Mary Surratt is the only woman among a group charged with conspiring to kill the president. Frederick Aiken is an idealistic young war hero who reluctantly defends Surratt and in the process comes to believe she is innocent. (RoadsideThe Conspirator" is a period drama based on true events following the assassination of President Lincoln. Mary Surratt is the only woman among a group charged with conspiring to kill the president. Frederick Aiken is an idealistic young war hero who reluctantly defends Surratt and in the process comes to believe she is innocent. (Roadside Attractions)

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Director: Robert Redford

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 123 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Rex Reed

Apr 12, 2011

No matter where your political leanings lie, the great thing about The Conspirator is that Mr. Redford is wise enough to let the audience decide what the parallels are. See it, enjoy a ripping good yarn and learn something. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Apr 14, 2011

This provocative account of a war-weary administration that denied Surratt her right to a fair trial starts slow but builds momentum in the scenes with Wright and Evan Rachel Wood as Surratt's flinty daughter, Anna. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Apr 16, 2011

Redford considers this material in an unusually literate and thoughtful historical film, working from years of research by his screenwriter, James Solomon. I found it absorbing and relevant today. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Apr 14, 2011

Like his 2007 political drama, "Lions for Lambs," Robert Redford's fictionalized chronicle of Mary Surratt's 1865 trial is high-minded and slow-moving. Some may chafe at his unsubtle sermonizing, but strong central performances will reward the patient. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Apr 29, 2011

Redford hasn't moved too far here from an earlier political-thriller template: With its skulduggery, late-night meetings and the contemptuous political cabal out to thwart justice, The Conspirator can be thought of as "All the President's Men – The Lincoln Edition." Read full review

Joe Williams

Apr 15, 2011

Instead of entertaining us, director Robert Redford offers us a handsome history lesson that's as dry as a hardtack biscuit. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Apr 14, 2011

Like most other members of an excellent cast that includes James McAvoy, Kevin Kline and Tom Wilkinson, she (Robin Wright) has come under the deadening directorial hand of Robert Redford. Read full review

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User Reviews

beechmi

Apr 21, 2011

This was one of the few movies I was looking forward to in 2011, and it delivered. Great story, great acting, and top notch directing make this one of the few 'good' movies of 2011. I highly recommend it!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MikeD301

Apr 19, 2011

Excellent movie! Redford does a good job of presenting the story in a way that captures your interest and uses the Civil War time frame to convey the clear message that when military tribunals are used to trample on basic constitutional rights everyone loses. Robin Wright and James McEvoyExcellent movie! Redford does a good job of presenting the story in a way that captures your interest and uses the Civil War time frame to convey the clear message that when military tribunals are used to trample on basic constitutional rights everyone loses. Robin Wright and James McEvoy did an excellent job. I found the movie thoroughly engrossing and powerful.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

beelzie14

Nov 22, 2011

Good film - slow burner but I thought that the pacing was spot on for what is an historical period drama. I never even knew about the intrigue behind Lincoln's assassination so this was a learning experience for me. Great to see Robin Wright Penn and Toby Kebbell in a film again - great,Good film - slow burner but I thought that the pacing was spot on for what is an historical period drama. I never even knew about the intrigue behind Lincoln's assassination so this was a learning experience for me. Great to see Robin Wright Penn and Toby Kebbell in a film again - great, undervalued actors of the current film generation.
Highly recommended.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jeremyp

Apr 16, 2011

If you like historical dramas you'll find this one interesting. Redford is showing us how, in 1865, the U.S. let it's legal system get subordinated to emotion and politics. Sound familiar? It's told in a straightforward way, and if you like the story and are interested in the subject you'llIf you like historical dramas you'll find this one interesting. Redford is showing us how, in 1865, the U.S. let it's legal system get subordinated to emotion and politics. Sound familiar? It's told in a straightforward way, and if you like the story and are interested in the subject you'll find it entertaining. History gets crunched-there were 2 lawyers defending Surrat, not one-and I feel Stanton gets air time as a way of showing a Cheney like parallel. The pace is slow but the story never lags. My two cents is that Surrat was aware of the assassination (if she was aware of the Lincoln kidnapping attempt it follows she knew plenty) and that she did not deserve to get treated any different than the men.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nutterjr

Oct 19, 2011

An "I could not care less" storyline associated with Lincoln's assassination, turns out to be a powerful drama with some notable performances from Robin Wright and James McAvoy.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Apr 18, 2011

One of the men who plotted to assassinate President Lincoln remained in hiding, while his mother was tried for the crime. An inexperienced attorney (what else?) was appointed to defend her. Despite overwhelmingly unfair circumstances, he (James McAvoy) staunchly fights for her innocence.One of the men who plotted to assassinate President Lincoln remained in hiding, while his mother was tried for the crime. An inexperienced attorney (what else?) was appointed to defend her. Despite overwhelmingly unfair circumstances, he (James McAvoy) staunchly fights for her innocence. While all the performances are strong and the period art direction/cinematography is gorgeous, director Robert Redford somehow slacked on the emotional impact. As a result, this is a beautifully wrought history lesson.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

spadenx

Dec 29, 2011

It had it's moments but the movie just failed to capture what should have been an emotional powerhouse. I didnt feel any emotion at all during this film besides the humerous fact that there were some terrible mis-casts for this film. Justin Long (a terrible cast who plays his part poorly),It had it's moments but the movie just failed to capture what should have been an emotional powerhouse. I didnt feel any emotion at all during this film besides the humerous fact that there were some terrible mis-casts for this film. Justin Long (a terrible cast who plays his part poorly), Alexis Bledel (who is as interesting as watching walls), and Evan Rachel Wood (a serious over-acting actress that sucks hard through out). James McAvoy however plays his part perfectly but he alone cant make up for the trash around him.

Also lets face it, The film was boring. It was insanely predictable that the woman was gonna be a sacrificial lamb from the begining, It spoiled the journey of getting to that point. I generally like films like this (which is why I rented it) but this is one film that I would suggest avoiding. I did not like it at all.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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