New on DVD & Blu-Ray : THE CONSPIRATOR (2011)

Synopsis: In the wake of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, seven men and one woman are arrested and charged with conspiring to kill the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State. The lone woman charged, Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), 42, owns a boarding house where John Wilkes Booth (Toby Kebbell), 26, and others met and planned the simultaneous attacks. Against the ominous backdrop of post-Civil War Washington, newly-minted lawyer Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy), a 28-year-old Union war ero, reluctantly agrees to defend Surratt before a military tribunal. Aiken realizes his client may be innocent and that she is being used as bait and hostage in order to capture the only conspirator to have escaped a massive manhunt, her own son, John (Johnny Simmons). As the nation turns against her, Surratt is forced to rely on Aiken to uncover the truth and save her life. From director Robert Redford, The Conspirator is a riveting thriller that tells a powerful story about America then and now.

Genre: Drama, Historical

Worldwide Box-Office: $11M

Number of Discs: 2 (DVD Collector's Edition); 1 (Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition)

DVD Special Features :

• Audio Commentary with Writer Director Robert Redford 
• Feature-Length Documentary “The Conspirator: The Plot to Kill Lincoln”
• Introduction to the American Film Company 
• The Making of The Conspirator 
• 10 "Witness History" Featurettes on the Historical Background and Making of the Film 
• Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots

Blu-Ray Special Features :

• [same as the DVD]
• Video Commentary with Director Robert Redford 
• Audio Commentary with Writer James Solomon 
• Featurette on the True Story Behind the Film 
• Making-of Featurette – Interviews with Cast/Crew 
• Video from the Premiere at Ford’s Theatre 
• “The Conspiracy” Featurette Production Design Featurette
• “Mary Surratt’s Catholicism” Featurette 
• Costume Design Featurette
• Military Trial Featurette Props and Special Effects Featurette 
• “Frederick Aiken: Defense Lawyer” Featurette 
• “Mary Surratt: Guilty or Innocent” Featurette 
• “Sentence and Execution” 
• Featurette Photo Galleries

What to Expect : Slick historical drama with an exciting ensemble cast. An enthralling courtroom drama that might not appeal to most people, but is certainly worth seeing at least once. Also, a big plus is that the DVD and Blu-Ray releases are unusually rich in extra content. However, if you're unsure about the genre or simply dislike historical dramas, just rent it, to be safe.

Release Date : August 16, 2011

Run Time : 122 Min.

Studio/Distributor : Roadside Attractions

Rating : PG-13 for some violent content.

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