“The Parallax View” (1974)

Drama

Running Time: 102 minutes

Written by: David Giler and Lorenzo Semple Jr. based on the novel by Loren Singer

Directed by: Alan J. Pakula

Featuring: Warren Beatty, Hume Cronyn, William Daniels and Paula Prentiss

Carroll Commission Spokesman: “Ladies and gentlemen, you have been invited here today for the official announcement of the inquiry into the death of Senator Charles Carroll. This is an announcement, not a press conference. Therefore, there will be no questions. A complete transcript of the investigation is being prepared for publication on March 1st. At that time, the committee will hold a full-scale press conference. After nearly four months of investigation, followed by nine weeks of hearings, it is the conclusion of this committee that Senator Carroll was assassinated by Thomas Richard Linden. It is our further conclusion that he acted entirely alone, motivated by a sense of patriotism and a psychotic desire for public recognition. The committee wishes to emphasize that there is no evidence of any wider conspiracy; no evidence whatsoever. It’s our hope that this will put an end to the kind of irresponsible and exploitive speculation conducted by the press in recent months, as I’ve said in the complete text of the hearings, which provides the bases for the committee’s findings which will be published on March 1st. When you’ve had a chance to examine the evidence, you’ll have every opportunity to ask those questions which remain unanswered, if they are any. That is all. Thank you.”

Critical Commentary

“The Parallax View” is a 1974 political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Warren Beatty. The film tells the story of a reporter named Joe Frady (Beatty) who investigates a mysterious organization called the Parallax Corporation, which seems to be involved in a series of political assassinations.

The film is notable for its moody atmosphere, intricate plot, and suspenseful pacing. The cinematography is also excellent, with a number of memorable shots and sequences that effectively build tension.

One of the film’s strengths is its ambiguity. The true nature and motivations of the Parallax Corporation are never fully explained, leaving the audience to draw their own conclusions. This ambiguity adds to the sense of unease and paranoia that permeates the film.

Warren Beatty gives a solid performance as the determined but flawed protagonist, and the supporting cast is also strong. The film’s score, composed by Michael Small, is also excellent and adds to the overall atmosphere of the film.

Overall, “The Parallax View” is a well-crafted and engaging political thriller that has stood the test of time. Its themes of power, corruption, and conspiracy are still relevant today, and its visual style and storytelling techniques have influenced many films in the years since its release.

The film’s exploration of the media’s role in shaping public perception and the potential dangers of unchecked power is particularly relevant in today’s society. The Parallax Corporation, with its ability to manipulate public opinion and control the narrative, is a chilling representation of the dangers of a shadowy group with unchecked power.

Additionally, the film’s use of conspiracy theories and paranoia to create tension and uncertainty is a technique that has been employed in countless thrillers since its release. The Parallax View remains a standout example of this genre, however, due to its expert execution and thought-provoking themes.

One criticism that can be leveled at the film is that some of its plot twists and turns are a bit convoluted and difficult to follow. However, this can also be seen as a strength, as it keeps the audience engaged and invested in the story as they try to piece together the puzzle.

Overall, “The Parallax View” is a gripping and thought-provoking political thriller that is worth watching for anyone interested in the genre. Its complex plot, strong performances, and moody atmosphere make it a standout film from the 1970s and a classic of its kind.

Furthermore, “The Parallax View” is a visually stunning film. The cinematography, by Gordon Willis, is dark and shadowy, with a deliberate use of light and shadow to create a sense of tension and unease. The film’s use of wide shots and long takes also adds to its immersive atmosphere.

The film’s climax, set on top of a large construction site, is particularly impressive, with the dizzying heights and precarious footing adding to the tension and danger of the scene.

In addition to its technical and storytelling strengths, “The Parallax View” also serves as a commentary on the political climate of its time. Released in the wake of the Watergate scandal and other political assassinations, the film reflects the growing sense of distrust and disillusionment with the government and the media.

Overall, “The Parallax View” is a gripping and intelligent thriller that has stood the test of time. Its exploration of power, corruption, and conspiracy remains relevant today, and its technical and storytelling strengths make it a classic of the genre.

Technical Commentary

Video

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Parallax View arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from the same recent 4K master the folks at Criterion used to produce the North American release of The Parallax View. (If you click on the link, you will see a detailed description of how the master was prepared). 

For obvious reasons, I do not have any new comments to add about the quality of the actual makeover. I think that the film looks wonderfully healthy and fresh, exactly as it should after it is properly restored in 4K. The entire master is graded very carefully as well, so the different types of nuances — and yes, there are plenty — that are introduced by the original cinematography look quite impressive. However, I must mention one more time than in native 4K everything should look even better because occasionally it is easy to tell that there are even more gentle nuances that ought to be easy to recognize. There are no stability issues. This being said, I think that Via Vision Entertainment’s technical presentation should have been better. While r revisiting the film last night, I noticed how in some darker areas, but elsewhere as well, the grain can become quite loose and even begin to struggle with minor compression artifacts. So, small encoding optimizations should have been done to ensure that the technical presentation is solid. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).  
Audio

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it. 

The audio is clear and stable, but you should expect to encounter some unevenness in terms of clarity and balance. Do not be concerned. The lossless track simply reproduces the native characteristics of the original soundtrack. The exact same fluctuations are present on the lossless track from the Criterion release as well. 

Special Features

• Trailer
• Commentaries 
• Kim Newman on The Parallax View – in this new program, Kim Newman discusses the evolution of the paranoid thriller and The Parallax View. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).
• Matthew Sweet on The Parallax View – in this new program, critic Matthew Sweet discusses the idea of brainwashing after the Korean War and how it actually did fuel the paranoia that is depicted in The Parallax Viewas well is its direct connection to The Manchurian Candidate. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).
• “Witness to a Conspiracy”