The Conversation

This is an odd and intriguing little film. Written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Conversation was his project immediately following 'The Godfather'. While 'The Godfather' was massive, in both scale and success, this film is much more intimate. There is a small cast, simple sets and very little in the way of "action". This movie is very cerebral and is driven by the script and the excellent performance of Gene Hackman. Hackman portrays Harry Caul. Caul is a surveillance expert that has been hired to record an "unrecordable" conversation.

Two people spend their lunch break walking throughout a crowded city park. They never sit down, separate from each other nor allow anyone to get close. Caul has to hire a number of people to be able, with great difficulty, to record their discussion. Why are these people being watched? Are they criminals, cheating spouses or victims of a personal invasion of privacy? What are they talking about? How will this conversation effect those around them?

The job is a difficult one and it takes Caul a lot of work to piece together what was said. Upon finishing the tapes he attempts to deliver them to "the director" (his client). The director's assistant will not allow Caul to deliver the tapes directly and attempts to intervene. Unhappy with the situation, Caul refuses to hand over the evidence and keeps the tapes for himself. Earlier in his career Caul produced some evidence that lead to the death of an innocent family. This has plagued him to this day. His paranoia/guilt has wrecked his life and made it impossible for him to have any personal relationships. He becomes convinced that some nefarious activity is about to take place and is torn on how to become involved or if he even should become involved. At some points he even wonders if what he is seeing is true or delusion.


I won't say anything about the last third of the movie. Once you watch, please feel free to drop me a line (stevethemovieguy@gmail.com) and let me know what you think happened. The ending of The Conversation has been discussed in film schools, cafes and living rooms since its debut. Also, the film has a haunting jazz score. Composed by David Shire, the score is also featured in film schools for its effect upon the viewer. It is both integral to the film and non-invasive for the viewer.

This movie is small and intimate. We learn a great deal about Harry Caul as a person and about "eavesdropping" as a profession. Even though this film is 35 years old it is still impressive to think about the ability of others to spy upon us. Do you have any secrets you wish to keep? It may not be possible!

The Conversation features a top director in Francis Ford Coppola. He also wrote an interesting script. The cast is superb with Gene Hackman leading the way. The movie builds, slowly exposing the conversation along with the characters to keep us involved and intrigued through a unique ending.

Filmed in 1974, directed & written by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gene Hackman, Frederic Forrest, Harrison Ford, John Cazale, Teri Garr and Cindy Williams.

Some trivia: The opening sequence involves a mime. That mime is Robert Shields, best known as part of 'Shields and Yarnell'. He was actually working as a street mime in that park at the time of the filming. Both Coppola and Hackman consider this to be their favorite of all the films that either have made. Coppola was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar. He lost out to Robert Towne for the fabulous 'Chinatown'. Use this link to read my earlier article about 'Chinatown'. The film was nominated for Best Picture, but lost out to another Coppola film 'The Godfather Part II'. It was a good year for Francis Ford Coppola!

Hearts of Darkness

Excellent documentary on the making of Francis Ford Coppola's epic Apocalypse Now. Unprecedented access into the making of a major motion picture with hours of footage provided by Coppola's wife Eleanor. Documentary also includes interviews, filmed a decade later, with Francis and Eleanor Coppola, Martin Sheen, Vittorio Storaro, Laurence Fishburne and others.

The filming and production of Apocalypse Now is as much an epic as the final film. A typhoon destroyed all the sets, Martin Sheen has a major heart attack in the middle of filming, Harvey Keitel is replaced as the lead, Marlon Brando refuses to cooperate, the Philippine Army yanks all the helicopters, and Coppola has to put up his own money to see the film finished. A 100 day schedule balloons into 238 days of intense filming.

Most intriguing is the parallel between the script and Coppola's experiences filming. His own self-doubt and the constant strain as writer/director push him into a kind of madness that is reflected in the main character Willard (Martin Sheen). It is only through force of will that the film is finished. And it is only through that same force that Willard can complete the mission onscreen. Coppola and Willard share an obsession that sees them through unbearable pressures.

One warning. The documentary is rated R primarily due to the footage of a native animal sacrifice scene. While the footage lasts less than a minute it is accurate and somewhat disturbing. You may wish to fast forward through the scene.

Filmed in 1976-77 with additional footage shot in the late 80's, directed and written by Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper.