Lionsgate has announced that the political drama THE CONSPIRATOR, from director Robert Redford and starring James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Justin Long and Alexis Bledel (television’s Gilmore Girls), will be released on Blu-ray in a deluxe edition and for a limited time will be available in a collectible foil-stamped packaging on August 16, 2011. The film follows the trial of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright) who is the only woman charged as a co-conspirator in the trial of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. She must have faith in her skeptical lawyer (James McAvoy) to prove her innocence and save her life.

Extra features include:
- Feature-length documentary about the plot to kill Lincoln
- Interviews with the cast and crew
- Numerous featurettes on the making of the film and the true story behind it
- Blu-ray Exclusive: Image galleries
- Blu-ray Exclusive: Video commentary with Robert Redford

We all know John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln. But have you also heard the tale of Mary Surratt, a boarding-house owner who was convicted of participating in the conspiracy to kill him? No? Well, don’t worry, neither did Alexis Bledel, who co-stars in “The Conspirator,” a Robert Redford-directed film based on the true-life tale of Surratt and the plot to assassinate our 16th president.

“I had no idea. I had never heard this story!” laughed Bledel during a recent interview. Luckily, she got up to speed once she stepped into some Civil War-era petticoats.

Is this your first time appearing in a period film?

It’s the first one I’ve done that is a true story, that’s historically accurate with so much attention paid to detail. It was interesting to build the character and to make sure her social habits and speech were accurate.

Your wardrobe also must have helped. Did you get stitched up in a corset?

I did! The corsets and the petticoats and the skirts are made from really thick fabric; it was pretty uncomfortable.

How was it working with Robert Redford?

He was so incredible! He’s made such beautiful films that I really admire and he has this sort of magnetic presence to him. He’s a hard worker and he just has all this knowledge to impart.

As you move into adult roles, what’s the one piece of advice you’ve gotten about how to tackle the transition?

My agent did tell me that if I wanted to be a serious artist, I had to put that out there and take myself seriously. I really responded to that advice; I think he’s right.

The Conspirator is out in theaters in the US today!

Gallery Links:
‘The Conspirator’ Washington Premiere
‘The Conspirator’ Washington Premiere After Party
‘The Conspirator’ New York Premiere

Gallery Links:
The Conspirator – Trailer Screencaptures
Girl Walks Into a Bar – Trailer Screencaptures
The Good Guy – Screencaptures
The Kate Logan Affair

The full-length feature movie “The Conspirator,” much of which was filmed in Savannah, will open in U.S. theaters next spring.

The true story of Mary Surratt, the only woman charged in the conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, was directed by Robert Redford. Several Savannahians worked as extras during filming.

This is the first full-length feature from the American Film Company, a producing and financing venture formed last year by Joe Ricketts, founder of Ameritrade and owner of the Chicago Cubs.

The film’s distributors, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, have reached a deal for its U.S. rights, paving the way for it to be screened.

Releasing the film in the spring will ensure “The Conspirator” is eligible to make a run for major awards such as the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

With Redford as the director and a cast that includes Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel Wood, Ron Wilkinson and Alexis Bledel, the film is expected to be a serious Oscar contender.

“The Conspirator” recently had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was warmly received. The festival is considered the first stop for Oscar hopefuls, and Best Picture winners such as “Crash” and “The Hurt Locker” have premiered there.

Go to savannahnow.com/conspirator to watch video and see more photos from “The Conspirator.”

Gallery Links:
Toronto International Film Festival – “The Conspirator” Press Conference
Toronto International Film Festival – “The Conspirator” Premiere
Toronto International Film Festival – “The Conspirator” Premiere After Party
Toronto International Film Festival – Portraits #1
Toronto International Film Festival – Portrait #2
Arriving at “The Conspirator” Press Conference
“The Conspirator” Promotional Stills