The Wilby Conspiracy

The reluctant pairing of Caine and Poitier's characters adds tremendous fun to this thriller as they play off of each other. Rutger Hauer has a great time sat almost entirely in a cockpit. They don't solve all the world's problems by the end but they make a dent and it's the ride that matters anyways. Lethal Weapon by way of The Last Wave wasn't something I requested but you don't always know what's best for you.

What an underrated movie. Surprising how few and how lackluster the rating are. The Wilby Conspiracy has an interesting premise and great plot development. Nothing really mind blowing in terms any deeper meanings or an emotionally inspiring message. Instead what the audience is treated with is a extremely well made political thriller with top notch acting from both Caine and Poitier.

Political drama fails as a statement about apartheid, becoming too broad and overstated (and not helped by cartoonish villiany from Williamson) but as a star driven road movie it works beautifully, with Caine and (especially) Poitier both excellent, and making for an unexpectedly delightful team. Film seems to have ambitions to hark back to the Stanley Kramer school of 'message' films (especially THE DEFIANT ONES) but can't quite succeed.

My distant recollection is that Nicol Williamson was great in his role.