When you hear the term ‘historical film’ you generally think of all those times at school when you were cooped up in a darkened classroom with a film playing that was so boring that you could actually lose the will to live. Luckily a new production company, The American Film Company has set about making entertaining films about American history, and if their first film The Conspirator is anything to go about then they are doing what they planned to do because this film is so good that it should be generating some Oscar buzz.
The Conspirator follows the trial of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright – A Christmas Carol, State Of Play) who along with seven other men (including her son, John (Johnny Simmons – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, A Bag Of Hammers) was charged with conspiring to kill leading U.S. ministers including President Abraham Lincoln (Gerald Bestrom – first time actor). With very little evidence against Mrs. Surratt, but enough men wanting to see her hang, her defense is handed to young lawyer and Civil War hero, Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy – X-Men: First Class, Gnomeo & Juliet). He is torn with what to with the case and his mind is clouded even more when he gets to know Mary and her daughter, Anna (Evan Rachel Wood – TV’S True Blood & Mildred Pierce) on a personal level.
There is no beating around the bush when it comes to The Conspirator, director, Robert Redford (Lions For Lambs, The Legend Of Bagger Vance) has created an absolute masterpiece, although a lot of that can also be accredited to the screenwriter, James Soloman (TV’S The Bronx Is Burning & Queens Supreme) who takes an in-depth story and makes it a watchable and entertaining film. So good is the screenplay that you actually find yourself really feeling for Mary Surratt and to his credit Soloman doesn’t hide the fact that this case is one of the times that saw most Americans want to go against their old Constitution.
Redford also does an amazing job in his role of director. Like he did with Lions For Lambs he gets a powerful message across and the films sets look so realistic that you really can’t help but marvel at how good they are. Redford also knows how to make every scene count and the dramatic tension that simmers throughout this film almost makes you want to class it is a thriller rather than a drama.
Aside from the fact that the film should be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars it will be an absolute crime if James McAvoy and Robin Wright don’t get nods for Best Actor and Actress nominations. McAvoy is truly sensational in his role while Wright puts in one of the best performances we have seen come out of Hollywood in a long, long time.
The Conspirator is a must see film for lovers of fine cinema. Historic films rarely get better than this
Director: Robert Redford
Stars: Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Tom Wilkinson
Classification: M
Runtime: 122mins
Buzz Rating: 
Available on DVD from 8th Dec, 2011