'Godfather II' not Coppola's only great work from 1974

Rarely has a director achieved what Francis Ford Coppola did in 1974 - the direction of two powerful, acclaimed pictures in one year. His "The Godfather: Part II" received the Best Picture Oscar, while "The Conversation," which might just be a better film, won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and showed the film world that Coppola knew about more than just mafiosos.

The Conversation - R Starring: Gene Hackman Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola Now playing: This free screening is at 7 p.m. Friday in Ballantine 013.

"The Conversation" is a gripping work that ensnares the viewer into Harry Caul's (Gene Hackman in one of his most memorable performances) world as it slowly collapses into one big wall of noise. The film centers its attention on the solitary world of high-tech genius Caul and all of the sound trickery upon which he is an expert. It is the sound that the movie is known for, with Walter Murch and Arthur Rochester's work on the aural ingredients proving to be some of the most innovative in the history of film.