The Conversation
Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Paramount Pictures  (1974) 113 mins PG

8.1 (24,846 votes) Top 250: #188
Francis Ford Coppola's provoking mystery-drama explores the morality of privacy and stars Gene Hackman as Harry Caul, expert surveillance man. A routine wire-tapping job turns into a modern nightmare as Harry hears something disturbing in his recording of a young couple in a park. He begins to worry about what the tape may be used for and becomes involved in a maze of secrecy and murder. Set in San Francisco, the film also features Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford and Frederic Forrest. Nominated for Best Picture of 1974, The Conversation was made between The Godfather and The Godfather Part II....

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Cast and Crew
Gene Hackman  ......  Harry Caul
John Cazale  ......  Stan
Allen Garfield  ......  William P. 'Bernie' Moran
Frederic Forrest  ......  Mark
Cindy Williams  ......  Ann
Michael Higgins  ......  Paul
Director  .....  Francis Ford Coppola
Producer  .....  Francis Ford Coppola
Writer  .....  Francis Ford Coppola
Notes
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Presumably, the "conversation" was recorded over the noon hour. In the opening shot, the shadows are much too long for mid-day, even in winter. (more)

Trivia:
The meaning of Harry's last name, Caul, is a fetal membrane sometimes present at birth. This ties in strongly with both Harry's transparent rain jacket, which he wears for the majority of the film, and also the fact that Harry is occasionally viewed through a translucent sheet of plastic when threatened, such as by his rival during the party scene. (more)

Filming Locations:
Alamo Square, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, California, USA (more)

Quotes:
[about a bum on a park bench]
Ann: Every time I see one of those old guys, I always think the same thing.
Mark: What do you think?
Ann: I always think that he was once somebody's baby boy.
(more)

Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 11 nominations (more)