Even though The Wilby Conspiracy starred Michael Caine and Sidney Poitier, two of my favorites, I wasn't really expecting to like it. I thought it would be another boring movie about a small, futile rebellion against apartheid in South Africa. It turned out to be an exciting thriller, one that was extremely entertaining from start to finish!
Sidney Poitier plays a newly freed prisoner, but on his ride back home from the courthouse with his lawyer, Prunella Gee, and her boyfriend, Michael Caine, they're accosted by the police. They fight back in self-defense, but knowing that will not hold too much water as an excuse, they flee the scene. As the three try to leave the country, they get involved in a political scheme with Saeed Jaffrey, all the while hounded ruthlessly by police chief Nicol Williamson.
While both normally handsome leading men are a little bit grungy in this film, it's still very much fun to watch. Rod Amateau's and Harold Nebenzal's script ties together so many great elements: politics, romance, racial tension, underground rebellion, action, and a touch of humor. They don't include silly comic reliefs that would cheapen the film; instead, it's a sophisticated sarcasm that makes the characters more human. Keep in mind, though, that the film does include the word "conspiracy" in the title, so there will be some unexpected twists and turns, as well as some potentially upsetting violence. Other than that, rent this for an exciting movie night!
Sidney Poitier plays a newly freed prisoner, but on his ride back home from the courthouse with his lawyer, Prunella Gee, and her boyfriend, Michael Caine, they're accosted by the police. They fight back in self-defense, but knowing that will not hold too much water as an excuse, they flee the scene. As the three try to leave the country, they get involved in a political scheme with Saeed Jaffrey, all the while hounded ruthlessly by police chief Nicol Williamson.
While both normally handsome leading men are a little bit grungy in this film, it's still very much fun to watch. Rod Amateau's and Harold Nebenzal's script ties together so many great elements: politics, romance, racial tension, underground rebellion, action, and a touch of humor. They don't include silly comic reliefs that would cheapen the film; instead, it's a sophisticated sarcasm that makes the characters more human. Keep in mind, though, that the film does include the word "conspiracy" in the title, so there will be some unexpected twists and turns, as well as some potentially upsetting violence. Other than that, rent this for an exciting movie night!