X
- 2011
- PG-13
- Roadside Attractions
- 2 h 2 m
- 2011
- PG-13
- Roadside Attractions
- 2 h 2 m
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. (Roadsid...
Directed By: Robert Redford
Written By: James D. Solomon, Gregory Bernstein
- 2011
- PG-13
- Roadside Attractions
- 2 h 2 m
- 2011
- PG-13
- Roadside Attractions
- 2 h 2 m
The Conspirator
55
6.6
Where to Watch
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. (Roadsid...
Directed By: Robert Redford
Written By: James D. Solomon, Gregory Bernstein
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 37 Critic Reviews
55
46% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
46% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
8% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 37 Critic Reviews
55
46% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
46% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
8% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
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.
The film pivots on McAvoy's powerfully implosive performance as a man trying to grow beyond his own prejudices. His scenes with Wright, under Redford's nuanced guidance, give this film its timely resonance and its grieving heart.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 53 User Ratings
6.6
57% Positive
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
36% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
8% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 53 User Ratings
6.6
57% Positive
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
36% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
8% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
I saw this film five days ago and I'm still haunted by the quiet power of this engaging film. Redford's careful and patient direction magically allows the film to take its time without ever feeling boring or stale. James McAvoy continues to grow into a passionate lead actor and Robin Wright should immediately jump to the top of a short list for a potential Best Supporting Actress nomination for this understated performance. However, the REAL star of this gorgeous looking film is Newton Thomas Sigel for his amazing cinematography which should garner him his first Oscar nomination for his work here.I don't know how he did it, but the muted colors, simulated natural lighting, and fluid camera movement gives the impeccably detailed sets, costumes, and make-up an uncanny look of historical realism that has lingered in my mind for days now. This is one that I look forward to seeing see a second time, and will be buying for my collection once it comes out on Blu-Rayâ
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The real standout is Kevin Kline as secretary of war Edwin Stanton.
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.
Less a movie than an extended re-enactment from a History Channel documentary, the movie is stagey, preachy, and long on exposition.
In The Conspirator, one wishes that the director had found the grace to touch upon, rather than belabor, the parallels between the conspirators of 1865 and the present-day inmates of Guantánamo.
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.
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 McEvoy did an excellent job. I found the movie thoroughly engrossing and powerful.
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A lot of care went into to making this film. The setting, costuming, and actors all seem to be giving it their all, but the script could use a lot of work. Drama there is in abundance, but there could have been so much more. This is a rental at best, or just wait for it on tv.
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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.
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My rating is actually a C+, almost worth seeing. If not that it was based on actual events and Mr. Redford tried to stay true to what happens to the characters it would have been below average. Most of the big names have small parts and don't have enough to spread their wings. The film is left to Ms. Wright and Mr. McAvoy. He is dull, boring, and never won me over so I could root for him. One may say that the only character to get behind is Mary (Ms. Wright) but she plays the role so blandly, never letting me know what she knew. Without that, I have to guess (what some critics think is positive) and my conclusion is she should have known what was going on and if she did , did not want to step in. She doesn't come across as afraid so why? Certainly her treatment in the American justice system was deplorable, perhaps overly melodramatic, but things did change after her trial. Perhaps for history buffs, but falls short on it's own.
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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 **** 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.
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Awards
Humanitas Prize
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Global Nonviolent Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Casting Society of America, USA
• 1 Nomination
