7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Black anti-apartheid activist and British engineer are forced to run from South African secret police.
Starring: Sidney Poitier, Michael Caine, Nicol Williamson, Saeed Jaffrey, Persis KhambattaThriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Reuniting with his “Lilies of the Field” and “Duel at Diablo” director, Ralph Nelson, Sidney Poitier attempts to revive one of his major successes with “The Wilby Conspiracy,” which plays like a minor version of “The Defiant Ones,” only with political and racial chains keeping the main characters bound together, not literal metal. Joined by Michael Caine, Poitier delves into the heart of South African hatred with this thriller, which is interested in providing excitement for viewers, but also ready to deliver a potent message on apartheid, hoping to give those who’ve arrived to watch an extended chase some time with real-world ills, opening their eyes to the destruction of spirit in a remote land.
The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Wilby Conspiracy" appears to be sourced from an older master, with age robbing the viewing experience of true filmic depth. Detail is soft throughout, though some close-ups manage to communicate sweaty intensity. Textures are merely adequate with costuming and locations. Colors are muted, missing a fuller push of primaries, with greenery providing the most potent hues. Delineation is prone to solidification. Source is in decent shape, without major points of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles acceptably, emphasizing dialogue exchanges, which manage accents and aggression without slipping into distortive extremes. Scoring is minimal, but capably communicated, with satisfactory instrumentation. Age is apparent throughout the listening event, but action is supported by loud sound effects, offering sharp gunfire.
A few absurdities pepper "The Wilby Conspiracy," including Shack's closet tryst with Persis (Persis Khambatta), adding a borderline softcore stop to the chase. Nelson fumbles with the mystery elements of the story, but he's generally good with chases or acts of intimidation, smartly leaving the details to his cast, who communicate alarm with care. It definitely has its shortcomings, but "The Wilby Conspiracy" holds attention, and its snapshot of South African pressures during apartheid is fascinating.
Standard Edition
1972
2019
1940
1996
2019
1975
2017
1958
1983
One Man Mutiny
1955
1993
1987
1988
Part One
2022-2023
2016
2014
1943
Warner Archive Collection
1948
1969
1962