The Conversation

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The Conversation

PG

1974

1h 53m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client's brusque aide (Harrison Ford) to tail a young couple, Mark (Frederic Forrest) and Ann (Cindy Williams). Tracking the pair through San Francisco's Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.

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Critics Consensus

This tense, paranoid thriller presents Francis Ford Coppola at his finest -- and makes some remarkably advanced arguments about technology's role in society that still resonate today.

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David Wilson

Sight & Sound

Dec 22, 2025

An unqualified success, a complex, reverberating study of a man trapped by guilt.

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Rex Reed

New York Daily News

Sep 24, 2024

It is a superior movie, a dynamic social document, and an exemplary public service. In every way, a Kilimanjaro among motion pictures.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 24, 2024

The Conversation is driven by an inner logic. It's a little thin, because the logic is the working out of one character's obsession, but it's a buggy movie that can get to you so that when it's over you really feel you're being bugged.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 26, 2025

4/4

Very much a piece of its time, snuggling up nicely to other paranoia thrillers like The Parallax View and Three Days of the Condor.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 25, 2025

10/10

This is nearly a one-man show, with Hackman giving an extraordinary performance as a conflicted soul whose personal beliefs, business ethic, and moral compass begin to unravel as he steadily uncovers clues about a mysterious, recorded conversation.

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Andy Punter

InSession Film

Apr 28, 2025

A

The Conversation doesn’t offer neat resolutions. Its famous ending is a haunting tableau of paranoia consuming itself, leaving the audience, like Caul, surrounded by questions. It’s a film that demands reflection, provoking debate decades after release.

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Wes

Sep 26, 2024

Maybe I would have appreciated it more if I was an adult back in the 70s. Boring. It’s interesting getting a look at 70s urban blight. Union Square became a big skate spot 20 years later. Movies like this are why Star Wars was such a hit and came at the right time. What a contrast!

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Alexander

Aug 18, 2024

Super boring. Francis made this after The Godfather and even explains in the mini interview that he did not screen it with anyone except for a few babysitters. Maybe he knew subconsciously that this is a terrible movie and couldnt stand any honest feedback. Waste of my time and money. I walked out less than halfway into it.

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nick S

@Nick_S Aug 25, 2026

Whilst a curious character study with some interesting themes, the movie really didn't have enough of anything to justify it's runtime. Hackman did a great job of looking bewildered, though it did get a bit tedious. Just not enough stimulating moments. Good but not great in my opinion.

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Phil D

@phildub Aug 9, 2026

Francis Ford Coppola directed masterfully. The story was interesting as was the phycology of the main character. The writing was a bit slow. Exciting to see this set in SF. Cast was great. Gene Hackman was an all time great & did a very good job here.

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Alain E

@AlainE Jul 11, 2026

The opening is very strong, then sags in the middle. The party scene is way too long. The ending is good again. This is predominantly an allegory. Surveillance is much more widespread today and the practitioners do not suffer emotional turmoil from what we can tell. Good photography which has been nicely restored. On Prime.

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Levi J

@Lev77 Jun 7, 2026

Carefully-crafted, superb psychological thriller full of paranoia, complexity, and crime, along with great sound and screenwriting and a performance from Gene Hackman that is subtle, yet significant!

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Francis Ford Coppola

Director

Gene Hackman

Harry Caul

John Cazale

Stan

Frederic Forrest

Mark

Allen Garfield

William P. "Bernie" Moran

Cindy Williams

Ann

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Synopsis

Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client's brusque aide (Harrison Ford) to tail a young couple, Mark (Frederic Forrest) and Ann (Cindy Williams). Tracking the pair through San Francisco's Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Producer: Francis Ford Coppola
Screenwriter: Francis Ford Coppola
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: American Zoetrope, The Directors Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 7, 1974, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $143.4K
Runtime: 1h 53m

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