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The Conspirator
Rated PG-13 · 121 minutes · 2011
Historical drama, Thriller
Historical drama, Thriller
Although she didn’t pull the trigger, Mary Surratt was one of several people who stood trial for plotting to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. In fact, John Wilkes Booth may have been the only one involved who avoided a day in court. In The Conspirator, Surratt’s trial takes center stage—or perhaps center ring at the circus. Defended by young attorney Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy), Surratt (Robin Wright) awaits what appears to be a preordained sentence as her case plays out for show in a military tribunal. It’s an interesting slice of history that has some problems getting started and loses its flavor at the end. In the middle, while Aiken emphatically carves out his case for the accused, director Robert Redford demonstrates that he still has a few tricks up his sleeve—just not enough of them to mask the film’s shortcomings.
After the Assassination
'The Conspirator'—the supposedly accurate tale of the trial of Mary Surratt—needs a good re-edit »
Official Site: www.conspiratorthemovie.com
Director: Robert Redford
Producer: Robert Redford, Greg Shapiro, Bill Holderman, Brian Falk, Robert Stone, Joe Ricketts, Jeremiah Samuels and Webster Stone
Cast: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Wood, Danny Huston, Tom Wilkinson, Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Colm Meaney, James Badge Dale, Johnny Simmons, Toby Kebbell, Jonathan Groff and Stephen Root
Director: Robert Redford
Producer: Robert Redford, Greg Shapiro, Bill Holderman, Brian Falk, Robert Stone, Joe Ricketts, Jeremiah Samuels and Webster Stone
Cast: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Wood, Danny Huston, Tom Wilkinson, Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Colm Meaney, James Badge Dale, Johnny Simmons, Toby Kebbell, Jonathan Groff and Stephen Root
What others are saying (9)
Indy Week
Redford's studious but inert Lincoln film, The Conspirator
The film's opening act is a well-crafted recounting of the conspiracy, and Redford's attention to detail is impressive throughout, but we're left puzzling over the figures at the center of the diorama.
by Neil Morris
04/13/2011
Redford's studious but inert Lincoln film, The Conspirator
The film's opening act is a well-crafted recounting of the conspiracy, and Redford's attention to detail is impressive throughout, but we're left puzzling over the figures at the center of the diorama.
by Neil Morris
04/13/2011
Boise Weekly
The Projector: Movies opening Friday, April 15
Singing cartoon parrots, presidential assassinations and one more reason to Scream, it's all at the movies.
by James Ady
04/15/2011
The Projector: Movies opening Friday, April 15
Singing cartoon parrots, presidential assassinations and one more reason to Scream, it's all at the movies.
by James Ady
04/15/2011
Colorado Springs Independent
Bill of wrongs: The Conspirator
The one thing a movie with a bleeding heart should not be is bloodless, and this one almost is.
by Jonathan Kiefer
04/14/2011
6 more reviews...
Bill of wrongs: The Conspirator
The one thing a movie with a bleeding heart should not be is bloodless, and this one almost is.
by Jonathan Kiefer
04/14/2011
The Coast Halifax
The Conspirator a stirring history lesson
Director Robert Redford's civil war drama relevant to our era
by Matt Semansky
05/15/2011
The Conspirator a stirring history lesson
Director Robert Redford's civil war drama relevant to our era
by Matt Semansky
05/15/2011
Portland Mercury
Lincoln Liars
The Conspirator: It was John Wilkes Booth in the boarding house with a candlestick!
by Jamie S. Rich
04/14/2011
Lincoln Liars
The Conspirator: It was John Wilkes Booth in the boarding house with a candlestick!
by Jamie S. Rich
04/14/2011
NUVO
Ed reviews 'The Conspirator'
Despite a strong lead performance by Robin Wright and a well-intentioned plot, The Conspirator ends up a stiff, stagey mass.
by Ed Johnson-Ott
04/20/2011
Ed reviews 'The Conspirator'
Despite a strong lead performance by Robin Wright and a well-intentioned plot, The Conspirator ends up a stiff, stagey mass.
by Ed Johnson-Ott
04/20/2011
