It is hard to not want to see a film with such an interesting idea for a story like 'Conspirator' has. As well as that it had beautiful Elizabeth Taylor in an early role and Robert Taylor (a hit and miss actor for me, sometimes dull and overshadowed by the supporting cast but when he's in a good role he is good) in a role that sounded like it would be perfect for him. Love "classic" film and would watch anything from any genre from any decade regardless of critical reception and how well known it is, with no bias intended. And the genre 'Conspirator' fits under.
'Conspirator' turned out to be watchable with some great things, far from being a terrible film. Couldn't help feeling disappointed though and feeling that it should have been much better, considering what it had going for it. That sounds like a very tiresome cliche to say and put in a review, talking about potential wastes and being disappointed with so much promise but when you do feel that way it is hard not to say or write it. It doesn't deserve to be the relatively obscure film it is, with far worse films being more famous and in some instances more popular, but for me there is not enough to it for it to be better known and made more accessible.
The best assets are the two leads (both cast relatively against type), with Elizabeth Taylor smouldering and although she would go on to much better things later there are signs of her maturity showing here with her excelling in giving complexity. Robert Taylor shows the right amount of intensity and surprising sincerity for his role. Their chemistry does have its intriguing moments. The rest of the cast also do very well, with the most colourful of the lot being amusing Marjorie Fielding while Honor Blackman brings class to her character.
Furthermore, 'Conspirator' looks great. Especially the atmospheric and moody photography and shadowy and quite luminous lighting. There are fleeting moments of tension while the score complements well.
However, 'Conspirator' primarily suffers from a general lack of suspense and in need of a tauter pace because too much of it came over as dull and bland. The script also jumps around too much, is very bare bones development-wise (much more fleshing out was needed) and doesn't flow at all naturally, got the sense that there was more to the film filmed but not all of it was in the final product.
Despite the two Taylors, and the whole cast, faring well, the character writing, the refreshingly conflicted main character faring best and even he could have had more flesh, felt under-explored and not delved deeply enough and motivations not always having the clarity as ought. Would have liked more consistent chemistry between the two Taylors which would have helped in giving 'Conspirator' more tension. The direction is far from incompetent but is rather unremarkable, getting the job done with not enough spark.
Summarising, watchable but on the average mixed feelings side. 5/10 Bethany Cox
'Conspirator' turned out to be watchable with some great things, far from being a terrible film. Couldn't help feeling disappointed though and feeling that it should have been much better, considering what it had going for it. That sounds like a very tiresome cliche to say and put in a review, talking about potential wastes and being disappointed with so much promise but when you do feel that way it is hard not to say or write it. It doesn't deserve to be the relatively obscure film it is, with far worse films being more famous and in some instances more popular, but for me there is not enough to it for it to be better known and made more accessible.
The best assets are the two leads (both cast relatively against type), with Elizabeth Taylor smouldering and although she would go on to much better things later there are signs of her maturity showing here with her excelling in giving complexity. Robert Taylor shows the right amount of intensity and surprising sincerity for his role. Their chemistry does have its intriguing moments. The rest of the cast also do very well, with the most colourful of the lot being amusing Marjorie Fielding while Honor Blackman brings class to her character.
Furthermore, 'Conspirator' looks great. Especially the atmospheric and moody photography and shadowy and quite luminous lighting. There are fleeting moments of tension while the score complements well.
However, 'Conspirator' primarily suffers from a general lack of suspense and in need of a tauter pace because too much of it came over as dull and bland. The script also jumps around too much, is very bare bones development-wise (much more fleshing out was needed) and doesn't flow at all naturally, got the sense that there was more to the film filmed but not all of it was in the final product.
Despite the two Taylors, and the whole cast, faring well, the character writing, the refreshingly conflicted main character faring best and even he could have had more flesh, felt under-explored and not delved deeply enough and motivations not always having the clarity as ought. Would have liked more consistent chemistry between the two Taylors which would have helped in giving 'Conspirator' more tension. The direction is far from incompetent but is rather unremarkable, getting the job done with not enough spark.
Summarising, watchable but on the average mixed feelings side. 5/10 Bethany Cox