JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonThe Parallax View (1974) - Trailer Included
January 11th 2007 03:31
The Parallax View
DVD Cover
Cinematography: Gordon Willis
Starring: Warren Beatty, Hume Cronyn, Kenneth Mars, Bill McKinney, Jim Davis
“Ladies and gentlemen, you have been invited here today for the official announcement of the inquiry into the death of Senator Charles Carroll. This is an announcement, not a press conference. Therefore, there will be no questions. A complete transcript of the investigation is being prepared for publication on March 1st. At that time, the committee will hold a full-scale press conference. After nearly four months of investigation, followed by nine weeks of hearings, it is the conclusion of this committee that Senator Carroll was assassinated by Thomas Richard Linden. It is our further conclusion that he acted entirely alone, motivated by a sense of patriotism and a psychotic desire for public recognition. The committee wishes to emphasize that there is no evidence of any wider conspiracy; no evidence whatsoever. It's our hope that this will put an end to the kind of irresponsible and exploitive speculation conducted by the press in recent months, as I've said in the complete text of the hearings, which provides the bases for the committee's findings which will be published on March 1st. When you've had a chance to examine the evidence, you'll have every opportunity to ask those questions which remain unanswered, if they are any. That is all. Thank you.” – Carroll commission Spokesman
In the 1970’s socio-political minded cinema came to represent an era of awareness. Encased in a thriller plot line, made to do more than just entertain these were films designed to inspire thought and raise questions about the world we live in.
A paranoid conspiracy theory, The Parallax View touched a nerve upon release and disappeared quickly. 2 years later the Director, Alan J Pakula (Klute) would make All the Presidents Men a massive hit, forcing many to reassess this equally scathing observation on the manipulation of the masses by those in control.
Cover ups, scapegoats and presidential assassination are keenly developed into a convincing scenario that begins with the elimination of a ripple causing political candidate.
3 years later, overzealous reporter Joseph Frady (Warren Beatty) is the type who puts himself in harms way and ends up becoming the story. Selfish and career driven this borderline narcissist receives a frightened phone call from an ex girlfriend.
“When I agreed to take you back in January I made two suggestions. One was about your drinking. Well, you seem to have licked that. The other was that you curb your talent for creative irresponsibility: you can start working on that right now.” - Bill
A witness to the candidates murder, she fears for her life because 6 other witnesses have turned up dead. Sceptical but inquisitive, Joe decides to follow the breadcrumbs and it isn’t long before he realizes there is much more to the story than the public knows.
Determined to find the truth, Joe goes undercover with no regard for his personal safety or that of others. Armed with an alias, cool seventies fashion sense and a mop top he enters a world where hitmen, espionage and fear are everywhere. Each clue leads higher up the ladder of power, increasing the danger and revealing universal truths that shock, dismay and enthrall.
Man, I think that Haliburton and 9/11 has something to do with this.
Dark and intelligent with an authentic mood The Parallax View is a hell of a yarn. Tense and suspenseful, outlandish yet viable we now take for granted that corporate corruption and government funded murder happens everyday.
Written by Lorenzo Semple Jnr (Papillon 3 Days of the Condor), The Manchurian Candidate style mind control programs seem a little outdated but you don’t need to look to far to find that they did exist. Painstakingly researched the plot is an amalgam of the JFK and Bobby Kennedy assassinations, taking the facts from real life and manipulating them into a tangible celluloid truth.
Self assured Direction from a master at the peak of his game, even in its most far out moments Pakula mainstains the tone of believable fiction.
Wise cinematographer Gordon Willis (The Godfather, Annie Hall, All the Presidents Men) frames the action with long shots creating an atmosphere of forboding, there is always the illusion we can only observe what unfolds from a safe distance.
Warren Beatty (McCabe and Mrs Miller, Bonnie and Clyde, Bulworth), no stranger to political aspirations, dominates with his laconic wit and confident swagger making us believe the pit bull like determination the role demands. Cool and assured Beatty shows exactly why he is now considered a legend.
All the supporting cast are convincing and their commitment sells the facade of truth needed to keep you invested in the story.
Under seen, this is the kind of film that John Doe lives for, an underground curio that fell through the cracks for years. The Parallax View is now mentioned in the same breath as genre classics like All the President Men, the Manchurian Candidate and 3 Days of the Condor.
Inspiring recent revitalized political films like Good Night and Good Luck and Syriana there has never been a better time to seek out this influential work.
The DVD:
Transfer: Anamorphic Widescreen 2:35:1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras: Trailer
Click below to watch the trailer
Warning Spoiler Below- Those who havent seen the film should probably skip this as it does ruin part of the story
Click below to see the now famous mind control technique used by the Parallax corporation.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Certainly tarred from the same brush, The Coversation and Parallax could almost be called political horror films.
Are you a fan of the genre and do you have a favourite?
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It makes me happy to know I turned someone else onto this under discussed gem, my work here is done.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
On the Costner tip I would have agreed with you untiol I saw Open Range, which is an excellent traditional western and Costner almost redeems himself for the years of crap he has subjected us too.
Im not a huge Roger Donaldson fan but I thought that 13 Days was pretty nifty. His finest effort has to be Sleeping Dogs starring the take no shit Warren Oates. White Sands with Mickey Rourke and Willem DaFoe had its moments too,but overall disappointed.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I hate to see her go, but I love to watch her leave ....
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
John Frankenheimer's The Manchurian Candidate is a good place to start with this style of film.
Have you seen 3 days of The Condor?
Comment by Vixter
People
Diet Food Lifestyle
CHEATERS
1 For The Road
thanks
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
If you dig this style of film, IMO Parallax View is one of the best.
Please come back once you find a copy and tell me what you think.