The Conspiracy

Great idea, making a conspiracy film about film makers making a conspiracy film... BUT it just goes nowhere... like a shaggy dog story told by a reasonably good story teller conspiracy is let down by a plot that gets thinner and thinner until there is nothing left to bite into. Yes, it's a reasonably entertaining film, I have spent many worse 1hour 20 odd minutes in front of a TV screen my life but when the punchline to The Conspiracy comes you simply think "why?"

This film could have been so much more - imagine the awesome film Seven ending on a weak note. I hope someone takes the idea, forms it into something solid and makes a worthwhile film.

Two film-makers shooting a documentary on conspiracy theories soon find themselves out of their depth.

Judging from the cover of the DVD, I was expecting another generic found-footage film with elements of a slasher movie, however, not since the paranoia films of the 70s (such as those directed by Alan J. Pakula) has a conspiracy film frightened me as much as this film did. In fact, I was more frightened than I normally am these days when watching most horror films. The style of this movie is a mix of pseudo-documentary and found footage styles, however, it is many times more convincing than the ones I have seen so far in the latter genre. Though it may not hearken to the classic 70s conspiracy thrillers in terms of its aesthetics, it certainly does so in spirit and in the extent to which it very effectively induces paranoia.

The events in the film are given credence by the initial set-up, which references many real-life world events and conspiracy theories, such as JFK's assassination, 9/11 and World War One. The film asks and attempts to answer some of the questions regarding with whom power really resides, how much influence and control "they" have, and reasons for the methods "they" employ. One aspect chillingly realised is the extent to which "they" can manipulate not just what we see and hear but also how we see and hear it. The film shows how powerless we really are, at least as individuals, in the faces of these monumental positions of power; you'll be fine if you conform but anyone who dares to question will be dealt with. The film also asks how much freedom we have in society- are we truly free?

A very strong element in the film is the score by Darren Baker, which is instrumental in creating an atmosphere of horror and dread. The score incorporates an organ (in certain sequences, the organ actually provides additional emotional depth), some very loud and ominous-sounding horns, and something which is reminiscent of an air-raid siren. I am listening to the score as I write this piece, and it does not lose its power outside of the film. It makes me long to watch the film again, and it has not even been 24 hours since I first watched it!

The Conspiracy is utterly compelling and convincing, a chilling and believable film with much plausibility, a film which elicits a visceral as well as an intellectual response from its witnesses. Even if you don't subscribe to conspiracy theories, you just might find yourself being carried away by what this film proposes.

Note: I would not be surprised if any/all proposed conspiracy theories are (ever) proved to be true. I find what is proposed in this film truly terrifying, however, one thought comforts me: the world will end one day, regardless of whether you look at it from a religious or scientific point of view. These powerful people and the rest of us will all be dust. When you think of it like this, these so called powerful people truly pale in significance. They are not powerful after all. None of us are.

This proved to be one of the most surprisingly effective thrillers I have seen in recent memory. At a glance we have an unknown first time writer/director in Christopher MacBride matched with a relatively small budget of just under $1.2 million. Maybe I'm wired a bit different than the average film addict, but when I come upon a new indie film like this my anticipation for the result is much greater than say your average Hollywood blockbuster. Finding greatness in the unknown is what drives me as a fan, while it doesn't always pan out, nothing beats when it does, as this film proves to.

The Conspiracy starts off at a somewhat slow pace as we are introduced to the main characters Jim (James Gilbert) and Aaron (Aaron Poole), two documentary filmmakers who are out to make a film not unlike many you may already be aware of. It's theme based on the age old conspiracy of a worldwide secret society of powerful, wealthy individuals behind such things as staging events to start wars such as WWI, Vietnam and 9/11 Iraq. They become interested not so much into the truth of such conspiracies, but in the people who so adamantly and wholeheartedly believe in them. They find Terrance (Alan C. Peterson) through an internet link, a man who is exactly one of those people. His house is covered in news articles connecting everything and anything that could possibly be evidence in his search for his desired truth. After Terrence goes missing and his landlord is disposing of his possessions, Jim and Aaron take Terrence's research from his apartment walls and begin their own quest to find truth within the mountain of information. After finding the existence of a secret group called Tarsus, they make contact with one of it's members Mark Tucker (Bruce Clayton) , who later gives them access and a chance at finding and filming one of their secret rituals.

The first half of "The Conspiracy" can appear deceptively mundane. Do not make the assumption that this is just another propaganda film filled with unconfirmed speculations. The last act is the real deal, it's as chilling as it gets. The score pulls you into the scenes as the true reality of the events is slowly revealed to each of the characters. Their mini spy cams give off a perspective from their eyes that really pays off. For a small budget indie film from a first time writer/director it was an extremely original, effective thriller which I would surely recommend. One thing I should note though, while listed as a thriller/horror film it stays mainly within the confines of a thriller, replacing needless gore instead with a very sinister atmosphere, which proves to be a worthwhile trade.

The Conspiracy A really interesting mockumentary dealing with conspiracy theories and secret societies. If your a fan on the conspiracy TV shows i.e Joe Rogan Questions Everything or Jesse Ventura 's Conspiracy Theory you will love it. With many movies using the found footage idea the market as been flooded they are cheap to make and some people think there real i.e Blair Witch but the filmmakers here use some nice little tricks. The movie starts off a little slow as they build it around nine eleven and introduce you the the secret society and the conspirator but it does kick into gear. It progresses very nicely by introducing people they interview who want to have anonymity which is a great ploy to keep the tension going for the rest of the movie. A very solid effort on an interesting topic. 7/10

The story is about a couple of guys are making a documentary about the people (or specifically one person) who are true believers in conspiracy theories. When their subject disappears, they get wrapped up in the conspiracy theory and investigate it. They end up sneaking into a Bohemian Grove type setting.

Really good, relatively low budget film. The cinematography is good especially where they are filming through "hidden cameras," giving enough for the viewer to understand whats going on but believably hidden. The acting was good and I was satisfied by the ending.

The film isn't completely surprising, but it builds the tension well and leads to some pretty creepy scenes. And I agree with the Moviesdotcom review that said that it's the smartest found footage film since "Blair Witch." Bottom line- I was pleasantly surprised by how good the movie was.