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The Wilby Conspiracy

The Wilby Conspiracy

Adventure · Thriller · 1975

Having spent 10 years in prison for nationalist activities, Shack Twala is finally ordered released by the South African Supreme Court but he finds himself almost immediately on the run after a run-in with the police. Assisted by his lawyer Rina Van Niekirk and visiting British engineer Jim Keogh, he heads for Capetown where he hopes to recover a stash of diamonds, meant to finance revolutionary activities, that he had entrusted to a dentist before his incarceration. Along the way, they are followed by Major Horn of the South African State security bureau and it becomes apparent that he has no intention of arresting them until they reach their final destination

Movie details

The Wilby Conspiracy

“In the fight for freedom, you have to break all the rules.”

1975 Adventure · Thriller 1h 45m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

Having spent 10 years in prison for nationalist activities, Shack Twala is finally ordered released by the South African Supreme Court but he finds himself almost immediately on the run after a run-in with the police. Assisted by his lawyer Rina Van Niekirk and visiting British engineer Jim Keogh, he heads for Capetown where he hopes to recover a stash of diamonds, meant to finance revolutionary activities, that he had entrusted to a dentist before his incarceration. Along the way, they are followed by Major Horn of the South African State security bureau and it becomes apparent that he has no intention of arresting them until they reach their final destination

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Wilby Conspiracy?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ralph Nelson

Written by

Rod Amateau · Harold Nebenzal

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Shack Twala

Michael Caine

Michael Caine

Jim Keogh

Nicol Williamson

Nicol Williamson

Major Horn

Prunella Gee

Prunella Gee

Rina Van Niekirk

Saeed Jaffrey

Saeed Jaffrey

Anil Mukerjee

Persis Khambatta

Persis Khambatta

Persis Ray

Rijk de Gooyer

Rijk de Gooyer

Van Heerden

Court is in session

Put The Wilby Conspiracy on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.