Product Details

• Actors: Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Cylk Cozart, Steve Kahan
• Directors: Richard Donner
• Writers: Brian Helgeland
• Producers: Dan Cracchiolo, Ilyse A. Reutlinger, J. Mills Goodloe, Jim Van Wyck, Joel Silver
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: June 30, 1998
• Run Time: 135 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0790736802
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,041 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

What is it about director Richard Donner that Mel Gibson enjoys so much that he's appeared in five of Donner's films? Is it the on-set pranks? Could it be the big-budget perks and $20-million paychecks? Or is it just a well-stocked catering table? Whatever the case, the Lethal Weapon star and director teamed up again, along with fellow superstar Julia Roberts, for this typically glossy, entertaining but ultimately hokey thriller. Gibson plays New York cab driver Jerry Fletcher, whose wacky belief in conspiracies finally hits on a coincidental truth involving an evil figure named Jonas (Patrick Stewart) and a secret program of government-funded mind control. Roberts plays the Justice Department attorney who finally believes in Jerry's paranoid ramblings. With a plot (from LA. Confidential cowriter Brian Helgeland) that's a lot of fun as long as you don't think about it too critically, Conspiracy Theory benefits immeasurably from the charisma of its high-magnitude stars. --Jeff Shannon

Amazon.com

What is it about director Richard Donner that Mel Gibson enjoys so much that he's appeared in five of Donner's films? Is it the on-set pranks? Could it be the big-budget perks and $20-million paychecks? Or is it just a well-stocked catering table? Whatever the case, the Lethal Weapon star and director teamed up again, along with fellow superstar Julia Roberts, for this typically glossy, entertaining but ultimately hokey thriller. Gibson plays New York cab driver Jerry Fletcher, whose wacky belief in conspiracies finally hits on a coincidental truth involving an evil figure named Jonas (Patrick Stewart) and a secret program of government-funded mind control. Roberts plays the Justice Department attorney who finally believes in Jerry's paranoid ramblings. With a plot (from LA. Confidential cowriter Brian Helgeland) that's a lot of fun as long as you don't think about it too critically, Conspiracy Theory benefits immeasurably from the charisma of its high-magnitude stars. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patrick Stewart - evil?, January 23, 2004

By 

Shelley Gammon "Geek" (Kaufman, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conspiracy Theory [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie. When it hit theaters I wasn't interested in seeing it and only saw it recently. Being a huge Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, it was a cheap thrill to know that Patrick Stewart would be in this film... and he proves what an incredible actor he is. His character (Jonas) is so evil, you want him to just die, already!

Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is a cab driver in New York City. He is a nutty but harmless (or is he?) conspiracy theory junkie. He has all sorts of theories about crop circles, crime, government control, you name it.

He is sure that people are out to kill him, so he always sets up an elaborate escape plan and sets booby traps everywhere in his slum apartment. Jerry is unexplicably obsessed with Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who is an attorney with the Department of Justice. He continues to stalk her and tries continuously to contact her to espouse his latest theories. Alice feels sorry for Jerry and thinks of him as a sometimes annoying, but caring, sweet, lonely man who is a little touched in the head.

Jerry has a self-published newsletter he sends out to a whopping 5 subscribers. As a number of them start mysteriously dying one by one, Alice suddenly starts to believe there is more to Jerry than just being a nutty cab driver.

Those who couldn't stomach "The Marathon Man" may have trouble seeing similar torture scenes at the hands of Jonas, but they are brief in comparison. The film is a total thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. The plot was so well thought-out, that while you're watching in suspense, you don't find yourself saying, "that's ridiculous!"

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mel Gibson is Brilliant, January 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Conspiracy Theory (DVD)

If you have any doubt whatsoever that Mel Gibson is one of the greatest actors of our time, buy this movie and dispel those doubts once and for all. Gibson's portrayal of the unhinged Jerry Fletcher is nothing short of astonishing. Rambling in broken, unfinished sentences, and in facial expressions that speak volumes, revealing the depth of his character in layers, Gibson gives an incredible performance.

The conspiracy-laden plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the suspense is fantastic. Another EXCELLENT movie in Mel Gibson's enviable repertoire. Julia Roberts does a serviceable job in the movie also, though not a stand-out performance.

The only clinker in the movie is Lauryn Hill's version of Frankie Valli's classic "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You." Hill's version is a travesty that absolutely, positively RUINS that great song. Leave it to a modern-day singer/rapper to completely SCREW UP a classic song. Fortunately, you can fast-forward past it when the credits roll.

Other than that, great movie, highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic In Every Way, September 23, 1999

By 

Dan Crawford (Greenville, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspiracy Theory [VHS] (VHS Tape)

1. The story is unique, exciting, and well-constructed. You don't know whether Jerry Fletcher (Gibson) is really a kook, psycho, or all of the above until the very end. It is an inspired moment when we finally find out. True 'suprise endings' are rarely well-done in Hollywood, (not since THE STING), and this one rocks. 2. Mel Gibson's acting amazes me again. I was never a Gibson fan until TEQUILA SUNRISE, when Mel dropped his Aussie accent and impressed many. Then, BRAVEHEART, became my all-time fav (what a great story of courage, etc.) 3. The unlikely romance between Jerry and Alice is breathtaking. That a total loser like Jerry can overcome himself and win the heart of this woman inspires us all. You will cry at the end. 4. Finally, the production and SFX will impress even the most jaded moviegoer. It is peculiar how fast we became bored with gigantic SFX and CGI technology, but these action sequences are really well done with a flair that relies on ingenuity rather than just throwing money at the audience.