Ileana’s Movie Review: The Conspirator
April 19, 2011 11:53 AM 
Starring: James McAvoy, Robin Wright
Summary: Most people are aware that John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln on April 15th, 1865. What many don’t know is what happened to those accused of conspiring with Booth.
Right after the assassination seven men and one woman were arrested. The woman was Mary Surratt (Wright). She ran the boarding house where the men planned the attack on the president and is the mother of John Surratt. He was Booth’s right-hand man and the only conspirator to get away. The difficult task of defending Mary Surratt fell to young Frederick Aiken (McAvoy), a union hero who finds himself torn between his union loyalties and his client’s innocence. Soon it becomes clear that Mary’s freedom depends on finding her son, and if he doesn’t turn up she will have to pay for his crimes. Directed by Robert Redford, this is the debut film from The American Film Company. Their mission is to make historically accurate films about America’s past. History tells us that Mary was indeed punished for her son’s involvement with Booth. She became the first woman executed by the US Federal Government.
This movie is well made and has a great cast but it’s Robin Wright as Mary Surratt who steals the show.
Trivia: Mary Surratt’s house still remains in Clinton, Maryland as a historic museum.
Rated: PG-13 – For some violent content.
Grade: B
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