Customer Reviews

Conspirator [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having only seen this film for the first time recently I was pleasantly surprised by its overraul quality and very good performances. Being a big Elizabeth Taylor fan I had read over the years how it was a "False start" for her in adult roles but really Elizabeth handles herself excellently in this very intriguing story of a young American bride in London finding out her new husband is not all he seems.

Based on the novel by Humphrey Slater, "Conspirator", has a storyline often used in previous tense marital thrillers however here it is shaped in a very gripping manner that keeps your attention, in particular in the later part of the film when Elizabeth learns the truth about who her husband actually is. The duck shooting scene in particular is very tense and gripping and the tense feel to this second half really earns the film mor estars in my book.
Elizabeth's performance once again reveals what a fine actress she was. Considering she was only 16 or so when she made this film she does an excellent job against the well honed skills of Robert Taylor. The film benefits greatly from the fine English supporting cast and the location photography in England.
The film is an early but worthy introduction to older roles for Elizabeth and with such triumphs as "Father of the Bride" and "A Place in the Sun" just around the corner she was set for a smooth transition from her child performing years into adult roles.
A good film to include in your collection, done with all the care typical of MGM of that time. Enjoy it!

This movie has everything it should: an attractive cast, well-trained talented actors, great set design and camera work. Robert Taylor is a commie spy and Elizabeth Taylor is his child bride. He's supposed to kill her and she knows it but they love each other anyway. Hot stuff!

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) presents "CONSPIRATOR" (1949 87 min/B&W) -- Starring: Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Flemyng, Honor Blackman & Wilfred Hyde-White

Directed by Victor Saville

Flighty and immature American beauty, Melinda Greyton (Elizabeth Taylor) falls madly in love with a dashing but lonely English major, Michael Curragh (Robert Taylor). But Curragh has a secret: he's an agent for the Communists. Eventually Melinda realizes that he's a spy and she demands that he cease his traitorous activities. Meanwhile the Party-faithful decide that Curragh must do away with Melinda.

Elizabeth Taylor is beautiful and radiant, but it's Bob Taylor who gives one of his best performances, letting us peek into his character of a two sided coin within his mysterious life.

Interesting Cold War espionage story.

BIOS:
1. Victor Saville [aka: Victor Salberg] Director)
Date of Birth: 25 September 1895 - Birmingham, England, UK
Date of Death: 8 May 1979 - London, England, UK

2. Robert Taylor [aka: Spangler Arlington Brugh]
Date of Birth: 5 August 1911 - Filley, Nebraska
Date of Death: 8 June 1969 - Santa Monica, California

3. Elizabeth Taylor
Date of Birth: 27 February 1932 - Hampstead, London, England, UK
Date of Death: 23 March 2011 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 87 min on DVD ~ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ~ (October 21, 2009)

I purchased this movie because I had read about it, but had never seen it. The fact that it was made in England has a big impact on the overall look and sound of the film, when compared to American films of the same era. Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Taylor look great in the movie, the script is fair, and Elizabeth does a pretty fair job in her first adult role. Although it lacks the gloss of an MGM picture of the late 40s, Conspirator's greatest determent is its score. MGM scores during the late 40s have a distinctively lush sound, crisp and clear,and usually a major asset to the films for which they were created. Take for example The Yearling, Cass Timberlane, Madame Bovary, etc. This score sounds like a poorly recorded 78 of a symphony orchestra . . . which it is! It is incredibly bad, and it detracts from the movie in a major way. I enjoyed the film but the soundtrack almost ruined it for me.

I was stunned when I saw this film two days ago... The production values are alarmingly low and the script let the stars down. Elizabeth Taylor- in her frist adult role - struggles valiantly - and succeeds... It`s a shame her privatelife overshadows her great past.... She is a method actress and her warmth and choices makes me proud of her. Miss Taylor has the gift of letting us think acting is the easiest profession in the world.

I hail u the greatest movieactress of the last century:-)