The Conspirator

The Conspirator

Year: 1961

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Daisuke Itō

DramaHistory

Lord Saburo Nobuyasu, a young samurai, finds little solace in his life. His arranged marriage to Tokuhime — the daughter of former rival Oda Nobunaga — brings scant happiness. Complicating matters, his scheming mother constantly interferes, seeking to undermine the Nobunaga clan and tighten her own grip on power.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Conspirator yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Conspirator (1961)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Conspirator (1961). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

April 1865, Summer 1866

The events are set immediately after the end of the Civil War in April 1865, a period marked by nationwide upheaval and the trial of Lincoln’s assassins. The story continues into the summer of 1866, capturing the tense atmosphere of post-war justice and reconciliation efforts, reflecting the turbulent transition from wartime to peacetime America.

Location

Washington D.C., Ford’s Theater, Maryland

The movie takes place primarily in Washington D.C., the political capital of the United States, where key events like Lincoln’s assassination occurred at Ford’s Theater. Maryland is also significant, as it is where Booth fled and was ultimately killed, highlighting its proximity to the nation’s capital. These locations are historically known for their central role in U.S. government and Civil War history.

🏛️ Capital 🎭 Theater 🌳 Suburban Area

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:54

Main Characters – The Conspirator (1961)

Meet the key characters of The Conspirator (1961), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Frederick Aiken

A former Union soldier and lawyer, Aiken is dedicated, morally upright, and conflicted as he defends Mary Surratt. His character embodies the pursuit of justice and the personal struggles faced during a morally complex trial.

⚖️ Lawyer 💼 Moral 🕊️ Determined

Mary Surratt

A boarding house owner accused of conspiracy, Mary is portrayed as a sincere woman caught in a turbulent political web. Her character evokes themes of guilt, innocence, and the tragic consequences of wartime hysteria.

👵 Accused ⚖️ Conspirator 💔 Tragic

John Surratt

Mary’s son, who is himself involved in conspiracy, remains in hiding throughout the story. His character reflects loyalty, secrecy, and the complexities of family amidst national crisis.

🚶‍♂️ Fugitive 🤫 Secretive 🤝 Loyal

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:54

Major Themes – The Conspirator (1961)

Explore the central themes of The Conspirator (1961), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The movie explores themes of justice and legality, illustrating the intense legal proceedings and moral questions surrounding the assassination conspiracy. It delves into how justice is pursued amidst political pressures, personal convictions, and the quest for the truth.

🕊️ Reconciliation

A central theme is reconciliation—both personal and national—as characters grapple with guilt, forgiveness, and the desire for peace after the violence of the Civil War. The story highlights how the nation seeks unity despite deep divisions.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:54

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Historical Legal Dramas Under Pressure like The Conspirator

Courtroom battles where the law is tested by intense political pressures.If you liked the tense courtroom atmosphere of The Conspirator, explore more movies like it. This collection features historical and legal dramas where high-stakes trials are overshadowed by political conspiracy and the search for truth becomes a moral battle.

tensegrippingsolemnpoliticalmorally complexhistoricalcourtroom drama

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a legal proceeding—often a trial—set against a backdrop of significant historical events. The protagonist, usually a legal professional, faces external pressure to deliver a specific verdict, leading to a conflict between their duty to the law and the demands of powerful interests. The story unfolds methodically, revealing the complexities of the case and the personal cost of seeking justice.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on a legally complex, historically-grounded story where the courtroom becomes a microcosm of a larger societal conflict. They share a tense tone, steady pacing, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the high-stakes moral dilemmas.

Tragic Conspiracy Dramas in History like The Conspirator

Somber stories exploring the heavy personal cost of national tragedies.For viewers who appreciated the tragic and somber mood of The Conspirator, this list features similar movies about historical conspiracies and their aftermath. Discover stories that explore national grief, political intrigue, and the bittersweet endings that follow major upheavals.

sombertragicgrippinghistoricalconspiracypoliticalmorally complexsolemn

Narrative Summary

These stories typically begin in the wake of a shocking national tragedy. The plot investigates the conspiracy behind it or deals with its immediate consequences, often through the perspective of a peripheral figure. The journey is one of uncovering uncomfortable truths, leading to a conclusion that is often bittersweet or tragic, highlighting the enduring scars of the event.

Why These Movies?

These films share a somber, gripping mood driven by themes of conspiracy, historical injustice, and national grief. They are characterized by a steady pace, high emotional intensity, and a narrative structure that prioritizes the psychological and moral fallout of a pivotal event over action or spectacle.

Unlock the Full Story of The Conspirator

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Conspirator in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Conspirator is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Conspirator Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Conspirator, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Conspirator Summary

The Conspirator Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Conspirator with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Conspirator Timeline

The Conspirator Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Conspirator that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Conspirator Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Conspirator

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Conspirator: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Conspirator

Similar Movies to The Conspirator

Discover movies like The Conspirator that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.