The Conversation

The Conversation is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery thriller film written, co-produced, and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It stars Gene Hackman as surveillance expert Harry Caul who faces a moral dilemma when his recordings reveal a potential murder. Supporting cast members include John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Cindy Williams, and Frederic Forrest. Harrison Ford and Teri Garr appear in credited roles, and Robert Duvall in an uncredited role. Mackenzie Phillips, who had just worked for Coppola on American Graffiti along with Williams and Ford, had a supporting role as Harry Caul's niece that was dropped during the film's editing stage. Likewise, Abe Vigoda's role as Caul's lawyer also ended up on the cutting room floor.

The Conversation premiered at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or, and was released theatrically on April 7, 1974, by Paramount Pictures to critical acclaim. It made $4.4 million during its original release, and after several re-releases, its total rose to $4.8 million on a $1.6 million budget. The film received three nominations at the 47th Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Sound.