The Parallax View (1974)

A journalist's investigation into a political assassination leads him into a web of corporate-sponsored murder.

First release year

1974

Runtime (minutes)

102

Production countries

United States

Original languages

English

Directors

Alan J. Pakula

Writers

David Giler · screenplay; Lorenzo Semple Jr. · screenplay; Robert Towne · uncredited rewrite

Cast and characters

Warren Beatty · Joseph Frady; Paula Prentiss · Lee Carter; Hume Cronyn; William Daniels; Kenneth Mars; Walter McGinn; Kelly Thordsen; Jim Davis

Genres

neo-noir; political thriller; psychological thriller

Themes

conspiracy; surveillance; political corruption; brainwashing

Tone and mood

paranoid; sober; menacing

Premise and plot tags

political assassination; conspiracy theory; journalism; corporate espionage

Source material / true-story basis

1970 novel by Loren Singer

Franchise connections

The Pakula Paranoia Trilogy

Reception

The film received mixed reactions upon release but has gained more positive critical acclaim over time, being praised for its direction and performances.

Reported review scores

Rotten Tomatoes · score: 87% · review count: 45; Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 12

Awards and nominations

Critics Award · Avoriaz Film Festival (France) · 1974 · win; Edgar Allan Poe Award · Best Motion Picture · 1974 · nomination; National Society of Film Critics Society Award · Best Cinematography · 1974 · win

Production trivia

The film is part of the 'Pakula Paranoia Trilogy'.

Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.

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