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Sidney Poitier, Michael Caine, Nicol Williamson, Prunella Gee, Persis Khambatta ... see more see more... , Saeed Jaffrey , Patrick Allen , Helmut Dantine , Ryk de Cosyer , Archie Duncan , Rutger Hauer , Abdullah Sunado , Brian Epsom

The Wilby Conspiracy is set in South Africa, at a time when Apartheid was the order of the day. Political activist Shack Twala (Sidney Poitier) finds an unlikely -- and reluctant -- ally in the form o... read more read more...f the British Keogh (Michael Caine). Both Twala and Keogh are scrutinized by racist police official Horn (Nicol Williamson), who hopes that they'll lead him to the hideout of chief activist Wilby (Joe De Graft). Based on the novel by Peter Driscoll, The Wilby Conspiracy abandons its sociological overtones early on in favor of an extended chase. The film reteams Poitier and director Ralph Nelson, who, 12 years earlier, had collaborated on Lilies of the Field. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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42% liked it

952 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Ralph Nelson

Release Date: February 13, 1975

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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2004

Stats: 35 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (35)

  • hypathio7
    January 26, 2009
    hypathio7
    A darker performance by Sidney Poitier. A performance that requires Michael Caine to get a bit dirty. Williamson is persistent as the detective chasing these two. The other supporting roles are good. There are some surprises in this political thriller, but it is not very acti... read moreon packed or fast paced. This is not a culture or part of history that I am very familiar with, so I was confused at times, but I was intrigued to keep watching.
  • terris85017
    July 13, 2010
    terris85017
    (1975 Director: Ralph Nelson) An interesting movie which co-stars Sidney Potier and Michael Caine and an all-star cast. Aoartheid? S Africa? Hmmm... perhaps a little idealistic though I would actually say the cliche stereotypical characters offered quite a bit of satire throughout.
  • mpghoul1973
    June 28, 2010
    mpghoul1973
    The steller cast of Caine, Poitier and Nicol Williamson really make for essential veiwing. Poitier and Caine seem to be doing a bit of The Defiant Ones, but in Africa set against the Apartheid in the 70's. While Caine isnt the racist that Tony Curtis was in The Defiant Ones, Cain... read morees character is not as caring about the struggles that Poitiers character so passionatly cares for. The message of the film is very much in your face and actually becomes a bit too preachy, but for a film that came out in the mid 70's iam sure it was necassary. Williamson has the juciest role here and really has some of the best dialogue. This is a fast paced film that never stops once the opening credits start.
  • DS291284
    September 10, 2007
    DS291284
    Reminiscent of Potier's own "The Defiant Ones", the film's main aim it to provide social commentary within a thriller setting, which causes it to lapse into moments of overt melodrama and preachy monologues, but the characters are strong with terrific performances from the leads,... read more and even the plot takes some interesting twists and turns along the way. An entertaining film.

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Critic Reviews

Shane Burridge
January 1, 2000
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews

An adventure yarn with enough odd flourishes to earn itself a cult audience

March 26, 2009
Variety

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Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

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Emanuel Levy
July 24, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Dragan Antulov
January 1, 2000
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews

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January 26, 2006
Time Out

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