The Parallax View - A View To A Kill 

Parralax is one of those fantastically paranoid 1970s thrillers, like The Conversation and Coma - This stuff is SO my jam! Nice review man 👍

If you're paranoid about corporations: you're aware of your surroundings. From thalidomide, Bhopal Gas Leak to hiring workers based on credit score...big brother subcontracted.

In light of recent events it would seem that the Parallax Corperation is still in business.

To date I have seen all the films you have on your channel T keep them coming XxX

Your opening description of Warren Beatty is sort of how I feel about Pierce Brosnan.

Seeing that Beatty looks like he's been drawn Dick Tracy was probably his perfect part 😁

I saw this on Moviedrome hosted by Alex Cox in the day. My dad wanted to watch it again and told me I would like it because of the car chases. I actually prefer it to All The President's Men. A great movie

I also think this compelling thriller The Parallax View (1974) Film is probably Warren Beatty's best acting performance, followed by his role in Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Thanks for the great piece, I'm a massive fan of the film, espec for the cinematography by Gordon Willis - some may say The Godfather is his high point, but I'd choose any one of Pakula' Paranoid Trilogy (Klute, Parallax, Presidents) over that film. Pakula also did Rollover which is a bonkers mix of a love story and conspiracy film which ends in the complete collapse of civilization because the Saudis pull all their investments and loans out of the financial markets. One thing you can say was that 70s movies were great for having bummer endings no matter what genre. Jaws and Star Wars ended that party. Id enjoy seeing your take on Three Days of the Condor.

Hi Tony, I would also agree with you and others who made the point with regards Beatty, not my favorite cup of tea. The Parallax View had a good start but went stupid ( as you said ) when Beatty did not believe what Paula Prentiss had said. Anyhow, the film came out at the time of Nixon and Vietnam. Lots of factors I think did not help the film maybe because of Beatty. Good actor but was always in the news for other things, he made Shampoo the following year with some of his ex girlfriends. I don't know what other actor could have taken this role at the time, because American actors of the time always want to play the hero. That's why British actors always play the baddies. American audiences have to be told by either the accent or hairdo ( remember the chinese baddie in Rush Hour, he had reddish hair,). This was one of those films I had almost forgotten about, have to see it again. Thanks Tony.

Another great review of a truly classic conspiracy movie, summing up the three elements I always dislike-car chase, punch up and getaway from hick town (he'd have to be a stunt driver!) And may have more to do with studio interference. These quibbles aside TPV still a phenomenal movie-with that central video montage gripping. Beatty as a leading man does have real problems, his failure to drop his guard maybe attributed to his own complete privacy which he continues to guard. As for him been a stud the late carrie fisher claimed "he'd fucked a whole continent" His own output erratic shampoo, heaven can wait and REDS (commie dearest as nicknamed at the time) Ishtar isn't the utter incompetence it is potrayed as but town and country unwatchable. Great review of a great movie

The ex-FBI agent Beatty rides the kiddie train with was played by the fine comedic actor, Kenneth Mars. I'm not sure if this was his only non-comedic role in a movie but am not aware of another.

I would say Beatty fits this role perfectly. It would never have worked with actors like Redford or Hoffman, let's say. They are too likeable. Beatty plays the role like he was a grifter passing off as a journalist. He's unlikeable and unreliable already at the start of the film, and this was a deliberate choice by Pakula and company. Warren liked the role as far as I understand and perhaps could see that it fit his “not quite a hero, not quite a villain” looks. He seems detached and morally fluid, slippery, even. The film is a flawed masterpiece. The car chase and bar brawl were there to make the trailer I think and drags the film down. But the rest of it is visually stunning and atmospheric. The liminal spaces (as we call them today) are masterfully shot by Willis. The score is ice water down the spine. I saw this at the impressionable age of a young teenager in 75 or 76 and realized that film making is an actual art. Love Alan J. Pakula! I'll never forget that first viewing. It is in my top ten films of all time. Cheers 🍺

I agree with you about Beatty as an actor, Tony. Not my cup of tea, but undoubtedly talented and gutsy in his choices. 'Heaven Can Wait' is the only traditional leading actor role of his that I can think of. This film is a good deal more chilly than 'Three Days Of The Condor' and that final 'shot' is inevitable. Also always good to see Zerbe. Must re-watch this again soon.

Beatty married himself in 1950. 🌹

Nothing to see here...ask Donald Trump. Great review. Thank you.

Great film. You're right, Beatty is a bumbaclat

Thank you. I thought I was alone in disliking Warren Beatty. Parallax is much the same as Winter Kills (1979) with its paranoid telling of conspiracies and assassinations. I consider neither particularly special. Would the film have been improved with a different casting choice? I doubt it.

i think parralax with its themes was just too an uncomfortable subject for a us audience at the time. remember the doubts about the jfk killing were just beginning to swell into the massive industry it is today.wed had garrisons trial of bertrand the zapruder film had only recently been seen the informative but dull executive action had died a death at the box office.yet the old guard of the wartime generation that believed in america honest and free still held center stage.i saw it with my dad an ex raf flt sgt and rear gunner on bombers over berlin on the same double bill you did.his review was what a load of rubbish if you believe that you believe anything.! presidential murderers were easy to spot in the movies either hired f4 mental cases like frank sinatra in suddenly or brainwashed commie puppets in the manchurian candidate itself a powerhouse of thought provoking movie but shelved for years after jfks death.then as parralax was in production the war in nam ended the president was a year later revealed to be the biggest crook in america! the post war generations voice was finally acknowledged and audiences radically shifted their views on events and their government.beatty wisely didnt replicate the jfk business except with the theme of all the witnesses dying.he chose the more recent far more blatent murder of his brother rfk which has even more anomalies than dealy plaza! 8 shot pistol fired from the front 13 bullets recovered kennedy shot from behind the girl in the red dress etc etc.its always struck me as an ex copper how odd it was that the tons of literature films tv shows that started after watergate about dallas never managed to do the same for rfk and mlk. my uncle a flying sqaud chief inspector actually arrested mlks assassin in london after he fled here.he was called to the assinations commitee in washington to give evidence in 76 was prevented from doing so but was due to read his notes about rays conversations so was recalled.he died aged 58 alone in his pub near newmarket having retired from an asthma attack so the evidence wasnt heard.after all the presidents men a hipper more credulous audience emerged.indeed so savvy where they that the satire of shampoo set on nixons election night and the sort of men seeking power was recognised and embraced by the new informed audience and made a fortune.the torch had changed hands parralax sadly came out while it was happening.a year later even with its faults it might have been a smash!

First of your reviews I've watched, and my last. Your delivery style crashes with worthwhile content. Your choice to swear is the final nail.

Computer voice is just lazy.