description The Sting Overview
George Roy Hill's The Sting pairs Paul Newman and Robert Redford in a 1973 crime film about confidence tricksters constructing an elaborate revenge scheme. Set in Depression-era America, it treats deception as a coordinated performance, with characters creating a convincing false reality for their target. The period setting and carefully managed revelations give the film a different rhythm from heist stories centered on breaking into a guarded building or escaping with stolen goods. Its appeal lies in the relationship between the experienced con man and his younger partner, as well as the uncertainty over which apparent events belong to the plan.
The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Viewers interested in criminal strategy and suspense can follow a plot that depends on timing and manipulation more than force. The performances and intricate construction remain central to its standing as a classic period crime film.
help The Sting FAQ
Who starred in the 1973 film The Sting?
"The Sting" famously stars Paul Newman as the seasoned con man Henry Gondorff and Robert Redford as his young protégé, Johnny Hooker. The film is widely celebrated for the incredible on-screen chemistry and comedic timing between the two Hollywood legends.
Did The Sting win any Academy Awards?
Yes, "The Sting" was a massive critical and commercial success, taking home seven Oscars at the 1974 Academy Awards. Most notably, it won Best Picture, Best Director for George Roy Hill, and Best Original Screenplay for David S. Ward.
Who composed the famous musical score for The Sting?
The iconic, upbeat piano score for "The Sting" was adapted from the ragtime compositions of Scott Joplin, an early 20th-century African-American composer. Marvin Hamlisch adapted the music, and the track "The Entertainer" reached number 3 on the Billboard pop chart because of the film.
What is the central con in the movie The Sting?
Without giving away the final twist, the central con in "The Sting" is an elaborate off-track betting scam designed to defraud a ruthless mob boss named Doyle Lonnegan, played by Robert Shaw. The main characters set up a fake betting parlor to convince Lonnegan to place a massive wager on a horse race.
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