The Conversation

The Conversation is a 1974 mystery and political thriller directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall (uncredited), Teri Garr and Harrison Ford.

Related Topics:
1974 - Thriller - Francis Ford Coppola - Gene Hackman - Robert Duvall - Teri Garr - Harrison Ford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harry Caul (Hackman), a paranoid surveillance expert, has the task of monitoring a couple's conversation and activities. Though Caul may be expert at surveilling others, there is ample evidence that he has not taken basic measures to secure his own life from surveillance. A similar theme -- securing one's life from surveillance -- occurs in a later film in which Hackman stars, Enemy of the State.

Related Topics:
Surveillance - Enemy of the State

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The film was released shortly after the Watergate scandal broke, and deals with issues of personal responsibility and the encroachment of technology on privacy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Coppola has cited Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up as a key influence on his conceptualization of the film's themes, such as surveillance versus participation, and perception versus reality.

Related Topics:
Michelangelo Antonioni - Blow-Up

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~