Synopsis:

Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is an expert surveillance man. On this particular job he's tapping a couple in a courtyard. The conversation on the surface seems innocuous enough however, someone is paying big bucks to get these two on tape. Everything is going fine until, it seems that because of his taping, these two people may be in mortal jeopardy. Unwilling to have their blood on his hands, Harry gets involved in what could prove to be his very last case given the danger involved. In the game of surveillance no one can be trusted and nothing is, as it seems. The conversation is a gripping piece of drama that twists and turns until the very end!

Audio/Video:

The audio for the feature is listed as 5.1 but it's really not at all that good. The film is largely dialogue driven and keeps all of the film's aural elements in the center and fronts. There are audio elements employed that pop in and out if the rears from time to time but, the overall audio comes from the center and front soundstage. Commentary Tracks. There are two commentary tracks included. One from Director, Francis Ford Coppola and one from Editor Walter Murch. Coppola's commentary was a joy to listen too. Clearly, he is still greatly enamored with his film and had great anecdotal information. The plus in this commentary is feeling as though you are watching the film alongside Coppola as he provides information on his influences regarding making the feature and his great enjoyment of the finished product. Editor Murch's comments dealt primarily with the technical side of filmmaking as well as his recollection of things going on during the filming of the picture. Both commentary tracks are definitely some of the best I have ever heard. Very informative and quite enlightening. The video is a very decent widescreen transfer that suffers from a nick here and a scratch there but on the whole; it's a very clean image. There is a tendency for the film to look a little worn in the way of color saturation or the lack of it thereof. Not to worry, the film's visual details are still holding out 26 years after it's initial release.

Extras

There is a very neat featurette included called "close up" on the conversation that boasts interviews with the cast and crew as well as a small amount of behind the scenes footage. Additionally, the film's trailer is included. In pretty poor shape, it doesn't really grab you and make you interested in seeing the film. But, it's good to have all the same.

Overall:

The Conversation is an intensely good movie that grabs you and holds on to you until the very end. It can seem a little slow moving but the movie is incredibly good. Don't let the slow parts stop you from getting to the film's climax, it's definitely worth the wait! Highly Recommended