The Bus

Question for you.



Saw this last night and while it gets off to a good start, for me at least, it goes off the rails pretty quickly (by the “spyfucker” line). Is this one of those movies that is justifiably a classic and still holds up (if so, I'd need to rewatch it because I didn't see it the first time around) or was it only great at the time of its release?

Inquiring mind wants to know.

rw2516

It's just ok. My problem with it is that is has too much big Hollywood gloss and polish. Lacks an edge that other 70s conspiracy movies had.
Similar to the Da Vinci Code movies with Hanks.
It's the kind of production that if made today would probably star Hanks and be directed by Ron Howard.

Hokeyboy

Parallax View is infinitely superior to Condor. Check that one out.

Why So Blu?

Three Days of the Condor is a phenomenal film. You'll need Klute, Parallax View, and All of the President's Men (for the most part) to complete your viewing due to similar subject matter that crosses over. If you have a region free player you can get Condor from Amazon UK in a great Eureka! Masters of Cinema BD -- the best video and audio presentation on the market. Klute and Parallax View are only available in HD via Digital.

islandclaws

I came here to say this so, yes, do that.

james2025a

I think its an excellent movie. It loses its ways a little once Faye Dunnaway enters the picture, but its solid. As I said once before on another thread, great to see this, Spy Game and Winter Soldier as a trilogy of the same character Redford plays.

Why So Blu?

Have not seen Spy Game since the theater and hated it.

inri222

Not a bad film, but IMO it could have been better with a different or lesser known lead actor. It could also have done without the unnecessary Faye Dunaway character. When it comes to conspiracy thrillers give me The Conversation.

TheDude

Recently watched TDOTC on Blu. Great print, with excellent PQ.

Re: the film itself, this is a fantastic thriller, and one of the best espionage-type films I've ever seen.

It's also worth noting that this film is set during the Christmas holidays in NYC - so, though it's not a strict Christmas movie - it's nice to see what mid-1970's NYC looked like during that time.

Norm de Plume

I agree that it begins well and loses its way, and that there are far superior '70s political thrillers. But it's a decent watch anyway.

Jay G.

i just looked this up, and that line happens about 1 hour 13 minutes into a 2 hour movie. That doesn't seem that quickly.

Shortly after this, Condor goes on the offensive, which is fun to watch. I really liked the ambiguous ending too.

I'd say since you only have 45 minutes left to watch, it's worth finishing it. The "romantic interlude" part is over, and it gets back to the cloak-and-dagger stuff.

james2025a

First time I saw it I hated it as well. I really never liked any of Scott's movies during this period with the frenzied cuts and washed out look, but pretty much every single one I have gone back to and enjoyed afterwards. This one more than any other. It actually gets better with each viewing. Redford gives an amazing performance in it.

OldBoy

How is Klute in that list? Great movie, but no government conspiracies, I believe...

Nick Danger

We watched Three Days of the Condor a few months ago. It still holds up as a 70s paranoia movie, although of course it's not as good at The Parallax View. It's well constructed, like how a passing mention in the first act that his record includes that he was a telephone tech in the Army pays off in the last act. It does get a little silly in the middle to provide Redford his time as a sex symbol, but the story gets going again.

Why So Blu?

True, I guess that's more of an Alan Pakula trilogy of conspiracy flicks, and such.