Conspirator - Elizabeth Taylor

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Victor Saville
UK 1949

Hollywood's two most famous Taylors take center stage in this atmospheric spy thriller spawned by the early days of the Cold War and filmed on location in London and the English countryside.

Making a move into more adult roles, 17-year-old Elizabeth Taylor plays the giddy young wife of a British Army officer (Robert Taylor). Their whirlwind romance and storybook marriage take a sudden, alarming turn when she discovers her handsome husband is a Communist agent under orders to perform acts of espionage. Torn between allegiance to her heart and to her country, she harbors her terrible secret, hoping her spouse will change his traitorous ways. But when her knowledge is secret no longer, she soon becomes a target.

Poster

Theatrical Release: December 9th, 1949

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DVD Review: Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Warner Home Video - Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:26:45
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.11 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Trailer (2:34) DVD Release Date: July 20th, 2009 Keep Case Chapters: 13

Comments:

Not to be confused with the pluralized title of the Hedy Lamarr / Paul Henreid (and Sydney Greenstreet + Peter Lorre) film from 5 years previous - this is a noir leaning ditty with plenty of Liz Taylor's comely visage and a frequently serious Robert Taylor 'red'.

It's a single-layered DVD-R but progressive and not looking fatally poor. Detail has some shining moments but contrast could be better defined. Bottom line is that it is certainly watchable and probably as good as it's going to get for now. There is minor frame-specific damage (see last capture) but it didn't hinder the presentation.

No subtitles - and, unremarkable but, clear audio.

I liked the film for a number of reasons and it definitely has some noir characteristics. I settled into a highly enjoyable late-night viewing despite the limitations of the digital production. Noir completists and Liz/Robert fans should indulge - just keep your visuals expectations at the modest end.