The Conversation

The incessant din of Union Square swells as the camera hones in, focusing on a seemingly innocuous mime, his white face a stark mask amidst the bustling crowd. But within that chaos, Harry Caul, a surveillance expert, is meticulously assembling a puzzle of sound, his parabolic microphones capturing fragments of a conversation between Ann and Mark. They wander through the square, their words hinting at a dangerous secret. As Harry painstakingly isolates their dialogue back in his sparsely furnished workshop, aided by his associate Stan, a chilling phrase emerges, “He’d kill us if he had the chance.” Paranoia begins to creep in, blurring the line between professional detachment and personal involvement. The Director, Harry’s elusive client, remains shrouded in mystery, his motives as opaque as the distorted recordings Harry wrestles with, forcing him to confront not just the conversation, but the potential consequences of the unspoken violence it foretells.

Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

Harry Caul, a meticulous and deeply private surveillance expert, lives a solitary existence, haunted by a past tragedy where his work inadvertently led to murder. He is hired to record a seemingly innocuous conversation between Ann and Mark in a crowded San Francisco square. As Harry enhances the audio, he uncovers cryptic phrases hinting at potential violence orchestrated by the Director, the powerful figure who hired him. Plagued by guilt and suspicion, Harry confides in his associate Stan, revealing his fears that the couple is in danger. He struggles with his conscience, questioning the morality of his profession and the potential consequences of his actions. Increasingly paranoid, Harry becomes convinced that he must intervene to prevent another tragedy. He delves deeper into the conversation, attempting to decipher the hidden meanings, but finds himself caught in a web of deception and corporate intrigue, unsure of whom to trust. His apartment is ransacked, his tapes stolen, and his sense of reality crumbles. In a desperate attempt to expose the truth, Harry confronts Martin Stett, an associate of the Director, but finds himself manipulated and outmaneuvered. Ultimately, Harry is left isolated and defeated, his own privacy invaded, as he realizes he has been a pawn in a larger, more sinister game, forever questioning the consequences of his trade and the true meaning of the conversation he recorded.

Details

In Francis Ford Coppola’s chilling crime mystery, “The Conversation,” Harry Caul, portrayed by Gene Hackman, is a meticulous and deeply private surveillance expert haunted by the potential consequences of his work. Set against the backdrop of early 1970s San Francisco, Harry’s latest assignment involves recording a seemingly innocuous conversation between a young couple, Ann and Mark, in Union Square. As Harry painstakingly enhances and pieces together the audio, he becomes increasingly convinced that the couple is in grave danger and that the cryptic phrases they exchange hint at a planned murder. Plagued by guilt over a past case that resulted in tragedy, Harry grapples with his conscience, wrestling with whether or not to intervene. His paranoia deepens as he suspects that he himself is being watched, and he finds himself unable to trust even his closest associates, including his colleague Stan, played by John Cazale. The film delves into themes of privacy, guilt, and the ethical responsibilities that accompany power. As Harry becomes entangled in the web of deceit and intrigue, he must confront his own inner demons while desperately trying to prevent a potential crime, blurring the lines between observer and participant in a dangerous game of cat and mouse involving the enigmatic figure of Martin Stett, played by Harrison Ford. The film explores the devastating impact of surveillance on individuals and society, leaving Harry questioning the true nature of his work and the price of uncovering hidden truths.

FAQs

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What is “The Conversation” about?

It’s about a surveillance expert, Harry Caul, who becomes paranoid and develops a crisis of conscience when he suspects a couple he’s spying on is going to be murdered.

What genres does “The Conversation” fall into?

The movie is classified as Crime, Drama, and Mystery.

Who directed “The Conversation”?

Francis Ford Coppola directed the film.

Who stars as Harry Caul in “The Conversation”?

Gene Hackman plays the role of Harry Caul.

When was “The Conversation” released?

The movie was released on April 7, 1974.

How long is “The Conversation”?

The movie has a runtime of 114 minutes.

What is the IMDB ID for “The Conversation”?

The IMDB ID is tt0071360.

What was the budget for “The Conversation”?

The budget for the film was $1,600,000.

What was the revenue generated by “The Conversation”?

The movie grossed $4,794,457.

What is the tagline for “The Conversation”?

The tagline is: Harry Caul is an invader of privacy. The best in the business.

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