Netflix's Milestone Movies - The Anniversary Collection : The Parallax View (1974)

WEBVTT

1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:25.120
Calaroga Shark Media. Welcome back to
TV in the Basement, where we embark

2
00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:30.320
on TV and cinematic journeys through the
annals of film history. Today, we're

3
00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:34.759
delving deep into the heart of conspiracy
and political intrigue with the nineteen seventy four

4
00:00:34.840 --> 00:00:40.640
thriller The Parallax View. Before we
immerse ourselves in the intricacies of this gripping

5
00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:45.240
film, let's set the stage by
exploring the cultural and political landscape of the

6
00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:50.320
early nineteen seventies. It was an
era marked by social upheaval, political unrest,

7
00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:57.479
and an intense fascination with conspiracy theories. Netflix's Milestone Movies. The Anniversary

8
00:00:57.520 --> 00:01:02.479
Collection brings us back to nineteen seven
twenty four, a year that witnessed the

9
00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:07.000
release of thought provoking films like The
Parallax View. In nineteen seventy four,

10
00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:12.560
as the world grappled with questions of
trust and authority, The Parallax View emerged

11
00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:18.640
as a cinematic gem that tapped into
the collective paranoia of the times. It

12
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.359
was a year when cinema wasn't just
entertainment, but a mirror reflecting society's deepest

13
00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:29.040
fears and uncertainties. Directed by Alan
j Pacula and released in nineteen seventy four.

14
00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:34.239
The Parallax View stars Warren Beatty as
Joseph Frady, a journalist drawn into

15
00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:38.480
a web of political conspiracy and assassination. Fredi becomes entangled in a series of

16
00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:44.680
mysterious deaths of witnesses to a high
profile assassination, and as he investigates,

17
00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:49.879
he discovers a secretive organization known as
the Parallax Corporation. As the film unfolds,

18
00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:55.359
viewers are taken on a suspenseful journey
through a labyrinth of deception, cover

19
00:01:55.480 --> 00:02:00.879
ups, and political manipulation. The
Parallax View masterful captures the sense of distrust

20
00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:06.560
and paranoia that characterized the era,
and it raises thought provoking questions about the

21
00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:12.439
nature of power and the potential for
hidden forces to control society. Warren Batty

22
00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:15.960
delivers a compelling performance as Joseph Frady, a character who becomes a reluctant and

23
00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:23.360
relentless investigator determined to expose the truth. Batty's portrayal captures the essence of a

24
00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:28.120
man driven by an insatiable curiosity and
a need for justice in a world filled

25
00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:35.039
with shadowy figures. The film's supporting
cast includes talented actors such as Hume Cronin,

26
00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:39.639
William Daniels, and Paul Apprentiss,
who bring depth and authenticity to their

27
00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:46.199
roles. Their performances contribute to the
atmosphere of tension and uncertainty that permeates The

28
00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:52.319
Parallax View. While The Parallax View
didn't receive major awards or nominations, it

29
00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:57.919
left a lasting impact on the political
thriller genre and became a touchstone for conspiracy

30
00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:02.960
themed cinema. Received critical praise for
its direction, performances, and its ability

31
00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:07.159
to create a sense of unease and
suspense. It's often cited as one of

32
00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:12.840
the standout films of the nineteen seventies. The Parallax View is based on the

33
00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:17.080
novel of the same name by Lauren
Singer. The adaptation captures the essence of

34
00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:23.919
the novel's themes of political conspiracy and
the manipulation of truth. The film's depiction

35
00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:30.479
of political intrigue and shadowy organizations drew
inspiration from real world events and conspiracy theories

36
00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:39.319
prevalent in the nineteen seventies. The
film's cinematography, led by Gordon willis as

37
00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:44.520
notable for its use of dark and
moody visuals. Contributing to the overall sense

38
00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:49.360
of unease and mystery. The film
features a memorable sequence known as the Parallax

39
00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:53.840
Test, which is a psychological examination
that plays a crucial role in the story.

40
00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:58.960
It adds an extra layer of complexity
to the narrative. During the test,

41
00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:03.439
candidates are subject to a series of
visual and auditory stimuli. These stimuli

42
00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:09.719
are carefully designed to trigger emotional responses
and gauge the subject's psychological makeup. It

43
00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:14.599
involves exposing them to a variety of
disturbing and provocative images, sounds, and

44
00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:18.360
situations. The crucial aspect of the
Parallax test is not the initial reaction,

45
00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:24.199
but the subject's interpretation and response to
the stimuli. It's not about what they

46
00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:28.839
see or hear, but how they
perceive and react to it. This nuanced

47
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:34.160
evaluation helps identify individuals who may possess
the desired traits for Parallax's clandestine operations.

48
00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:40.759
The test plays on the subject's perceptions, pushing them to interpret the stimuli in

49
00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:46.759
ways that may align with the organization's
goals. It seeks to uncover latent tendencies

50
00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:51.879
toward aggression control and a willingness to
carry out morally ambiguous actions. Those who

51
00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:58.839
pass the Parallax Test are potentially recruited
into the Parallax Corporation. Their recruitment often

52
00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:02.680
involves further in Dodoctus and training to
mold them into efficient, emotionless killers,

53
00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:09.199
ready to carry out the organization's covert
missions. As we wrap up our exploration

54
00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:13.439
of the Parallax View, it's clear
that this film is a testament to the

55
00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:17.680
power of cinema to reflect and influence
the society of its time. Its examination

56
00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:24.480
of conspiracy and political manipulation remains relevant, making it a timeless classic in the

57
00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:29.079
world of thrillers. Thank you for
joining us on this journey into the world

58
00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:32.879
of the Parallax View. We hope
you've enjoyed this deep dive into the film's

59
00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:39.839
history and legacy. Until next time, keep exploring the complexities of cinema one

60
00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:43.959
frame at a time. Stay warm, and follow TV in the Basement for

61
00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.079
some more recommendations.