First Look Images from Robert Redford's 'The Conspirator'
Still looking for distribution, but at the same time looking good
USA Today has debuted six images from Robert Redford's The Conspirator, the director's upcoming story dealing with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, telling the story through the life of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), an alleged conspirator of assassin John Wilkes Booth (Toby Kebbell).
I have featured the new photos below along with information corresponding to each, but for the complete descriptions you can visit USA Today here.
- James McAvoy's soldier-turned-lawyer in this conspiracy case finds himself in the uncomfortable position of defying the Union after nearly dying for it.
- Toby Kebbell (RocknRolla) plays John Wilkes Booth in The Conspirator, though the movie is more about those who may have aided the character.
- Robin Wright plays Mary Surratt opposite McAvoy as her reluctant attorney.
- Redford directs James McAvoy as attorney Frederick Aiken.
- Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") co-stars in The Conspirator as the fiancee of attorney Frederick Aiken.
- Robert Redford directs one of the battle sequences in his new movie The Conspirator.
Along with the images, USA Today's Anthony Breznican has written up a piece accompanying the image debut describing the film as something of a "Law & Order: Civil War Unit," following the race to hunt down the small band of Confederate sympathizers who helped plot the 1865 assassination of Lincoln in Ford's Theater.
In discussing the focus of the film as being on Surratt, the titular conspirator, Redford says, "There was a question of whether she was complicit, guilty by association, or even more guilty. The lawyer that defended her didn't want to defend her. He was a Union soldier who became a lawyer."
While Breznican compares it to a tired TV show, Redford compares it to his personal classic, All the President's Men, in explaining why he didn't chose to focus on Lincoln's assassination and instead uses it as a setup, "All the President's Men was very similar, because you had this big historical event taking place, but what people didn't know was what these two reporters did, digging in under the radar. You didn't need to show Nixon a lot."
The film does not yet have a distributor, but based on the cast, which also includes Justin Long, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Kline, and Stephen Root and Redford's involvement I expect it will find distribution soon enough and wouldn't be surprised to see it entered into the Toronto Film Festival.
Again, you can read Breznican's full piece here and browse the gallery with extended captions here.
The Conspirator is one of the many films listed in the RopeofSilicon "The Contenders" section tracking the road to the Oscars. Click here to explore our year-round coverage.
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This film looks and sounds great. It will be a nice change from all the super-hero movies. I hope it goes to Telluride too! Can't wait to see James McAvoy on the silver screen again.
I can see it as a potential Oscar winner but not financially
I'm hoping that this movie would be in this year's Cannes Festival as it really smells an already award looking film. And I love James Mcavoy & Alexis Bledel too.
Wondering about the knife in the John Wilkes Booth photo. could you ID the knifemaker? It has the look of a Swampfox knife, can't tell for sure but collectors will want to know. Looking forward to the movie release.
PM – you might want to check out the website of the company producing the film, The American Film Co.
http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/historian/james-m-mcpherson/
They are trying to make films that are historically accurate and have several historians listed on their website as well as discussion boards that might be able to help you.
Good luck.
You have a good eye….The knife Booth is holding is one of Tim Ridge's beauties. He made the cutlery for the movie.
He is in the process now of helping me finish the replicas of the knives of James Bowie. He just finished the Huber Steel replica for me and is doing the Madame Candaleria Bowie now. He will start on the Berrera~Campbell Bowie knife in June and that will complete the 15 knife set of replicas….Thanks, Chris Nolen
Just in case anyone cares. Photo #6 is NOT a battle sequence as the caption implies. It is one of the scenes at the fort where the prison/gallows live. I was a background extra on this film. Really Really excited to see it.
I think this film has more potential to shake things up in our dangerous political spectrum now than more recent events have currently, depending upon how Robert Redford tells the story. The real question about Lincoln's assassination and John Surratt's escape via the Jesuit Rat Run to Canada where he was photographed in hiding at the Vatican indicate that Rome and international bankers were involved in the plot to kill Lincoln, while ripping the US apart. Surratt's own mother swung on the gallows, yet he walked. Why? Well perhaps Redford will actually explain the Jesuit connection to Lincoln's murder conspiracy.
As an extra – Ford Theatre Patron – I anxiously await the release. Savannah's sites were perfect for capturing this time in history as we (Savannah) haven't changed that much! We anticipate hopefully that the premier will be here. I applaud movies like this and wish more were made. Can only take action and comedy in small doses.
Another ART film , but one that is destined to LOSE money. The "AVERAGE" movie patron , probably lacks the patience and intelligence to appreciate a film of this type. Attack of the Zombie killers would be more suitable for that group.
Unfortunately for REDFORD it is easy to see that this will be his next BOMB!