"The Wilby Conspiracy" is a slick, well-executed chase thriller pairing top actors Sidney Poitier and Sir Michael Caine. Set against a very political backdrop, the racial strife taking place in South Africa, it has Poitier as a political prisoner being released and Caine as a mining engineer who are forced to take it on the lam together. Sometimes assisted by Caines' girlfriend Prunella Gee (who is also the lawyer who helped to free Poitier), they must work to stay one step ahead of the sly, racist security agent Nicol Williamson, an antagonist par excellence.
This film is fundamentally an entertaining story (scripted by Rod Amateau and Harold Nebenzal, based on a novel by Peter Driscoll), very well told and engrossing. It does have some slow spots, but never takes too long to perk right back up again. The action scenes (directed by Amateau) are first-rate, along with the stunning photography of the genuine Kenya locations, and the solid (but never overwhelming) soundtrack composed by Stanley Myers. The film calls ones' attention to the real-life turmoil in this part of this world, while making sure to also show us a good time.
Part of the appeal lies in the performances of the two leads. While undoubtedly the film delivers some echoes of Poitiers' earlier classic "The Defiant Ones", our stars have good chemistry and are consistently amusing. They are extremely well supported by a wonderful international cast: Saeed Jeffrey as a jittery dentist / activist, Persis Khambatta as his lovely assistant, Rutger Hauer as Gees' shady husband (and means of escape for the heroes), Rijk de Gooyer as a smiling, slimy agent, and Patrick Allen as the district commissioner. Khambatta and Hauer made their English-language debuts here; actor / executive producer Helmut Dantine has a small role as the prosecutor. Williamson steals it from everybody, though, and is a treat to watch.
Directed by the great Ralph Nelson, whose previous work with Poitier includes "Lilies of the Field", where Nelson had directed the actor towards a Best Actor Oscar win.
Seven out of 10.
This film is fundamentally an entertaining story (scripted by Rod Amateau and Harold Nebenzal, based on a novel by Peter Driscoll), very well told and engrossing. It does have some slow spots, but never takes too long to perk right back up again. The action scenes (directed by Amateau) are first-rate, along with the stunning photography of the genuine Kenya locations, and the solid (but never overwhelming) soundtrack composed by Stanley Myers. The film calls ones' attention to the real-life turmoil in this part of this world, while making sure to also show us a good time.
Part of the appeal lies in the performances of the two leads. While undoubtedly the film delivers some echoes of Poitiers' earlier classic "The Defiant Ones", our stars have good chemistry and are consistently amusing. They are extremely well supported by a wonderful international cast: Saeed Jeffrey as a jittery dentist / activist, Persis Khambatta as his lovely assistant, Rutger Hauer as Gees' shady husband (and means of escape for the heroes), Rijk de Gooyer as a smiling, slimy agent, and Patrick Allen as the district commissioner. Khambatta and Hauer made their English-language debuts here; actor / executive producer Helmut Dantine has a small role as the prosecutor. Williamson steals it from everybody, though, and is a treat to watch.
Directed by the great Ralph Nelson, whose previous work with Poitier includes "Lilies of the Field", where Nelson had directed the actor towards a Best Actor Oscar win.
Seven out of 10.