Spellbound

Spelling bees would be a lot more exciting if they implemented NBA-style rules: a 24-second spell clock, three points for spelling 'beyond-the-arc' (behind the stage), fouling other contestants when it looks like someone's going to get a word right, everyone in the audience banging those annoying balloon sticks together when the kids are thinking, instant replay when a d sounds like a t, and cheerleaders shaking their booties to Gary Glitter's Rock & Roll Part II during timeouts. Bee-fence!

I'd love to be the person who gets to press the bell buzzer thing. It crushes them emotionally and mentally.

There is nothing wrong with the competitive element per se, but one does wonder about the actual pay off for those involved. They can spell, but can they think? No doubt an interesting film and impressively exhilarating for what is essentially young people trying to spell common as well as less common words. But mostly these kids are reduced by the film makers to 'special', 'eccentric' etc. individuals.

The kids' relationships with their parents are very interesting.

It was fun. The differences between the lifestyles of the children and their parents and characters was the main point though. But still misses that something that I can't put my finger on.

"Blitz is not a filmmaker interested in his subjects, but only in manipulating their experiences for entertainment value." - Chuck Rudolph

A look into the lives of spell-a-holics. I found it to be pretty sad, but interesting nonetheless. Not the most memorable documentary I've seen, but worth watching.

Not particularly ground-breaking, but the kids are cute.

Ultimately makes up for a lack of genuine resonance and insight by its infectious good-nature and a scenario with a built-in engine for excitement and suspense, though it must be said that Blitz goes above and beyond to wring nerve-jangling tension from the climactic spelling bee scenes. The addition of any overarching social (or sociological) commentary would have weighed the film down rather than adding to it – as a portrait of open-faced kids enjoying their talent, it works splendidly.

Easily one of the more entertaining and audience-interactive films you're likely to see. Recommended for all audience, but especially so for parents who take an active interest in their children's' educations.

A beatifully-put-together film about a rather unexplored and interesting topic.

A suspenseful, gripping documentary that features an engaging cross section of American children.

Riveting! Daring! Evocative! SEXY!

Entertaining, interesting, and most of the kids were quite likable. Very good.

Not to be confused with Hitchcock's 1945 film, THIS Spellbound is about a spelling bee. My favourite parts of the film were seeing contestant's home lives (complete with awkward social situations and goofy parents. "BEE happy!") but more importantly their incredible determination to win. In the final competition I was on the edge of my seat wondering who would go home a champion and who would go home in tears. I think the world would be a better place if everyone acted like Harry Altman, God

A documentary that shows fact is often more entertaining than fiction.

Everyone raves about it but I found it somewhat entertaining.

Nerve-wracking in places, fascinating, pretty scary.

Very intense. Honestly never thought spelling bees could be so nerve-wracking.

there should be more of harry altman.

Watchable, pretty-good doc about kids in hig level spelling bee.

At least this wanst cliche, and the kids are absolutely amazing.

https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/647685919823036416/spellbound-2002

Mexicangirl+indiangirl+autisticishsouthernpoorboy-buildingthemallupwelllol+studyfromdictionary:P+lmaobrownboydad'ssystem-difflanguageteachers:P+lycanthropetearybutgotit:P

Insightful look at the effects of competition on kids.

Very interesting stuff. Since Spellbound, I've seen a few documentaries with roughly similar structure (Word Wars, Make Believe), but this was definitely the best. The kids are all unique characters and it's fun to root for them. As I'm realizing that it's been over 10 years since it came out, I'd be curious to see a follow-up.

The best kind of documentary: one that leaves you absolutely riveted with what is going on-screen regardless of your interest in the overall subject matter. Almost makes me want to watch spelling bees the next time they are aired.

Great movie. Had some pretty funny parts and a great insight on preparation for spelling bees.

Created a template of documentary film-making that is, very simply put, a SCOURGE.

Interesting enough and moves along.

The only thing this film needs is one of those 80s picture montages at the end saying what happened to each kid ten years down the road.

A film that was for me much more about the children's relationships with their parents than their trials and tribulations in the spelling bee. I'm not sure if that was Blitz's intention, given the odd American cultural affinity for Spelling Bees, but that's certainly what I got from it. The whole phenomenon is odd and vaguely depressing, with a few exceptions. Worth a watch at least.

An American story, in every respect.

I remember being really touched by this film.

An amusing enough movie, but even with sicial dorks, spelling bees just aren't that interesting.

lightweight but entertaining

It's nice to look at the intense, gutsy faces of these kids and think that despite any current problems with social awkwardness or crazy parents, they'll probably end up okay in life. Especially Harry, who made me smile with his happy-go-lucky unselfconscious self.

Wonderful fun. Those crazy Americans and their spelling bees!

Thought it was quite interesting, that ending is quite nerve wracking. I liked the fact that the kids weren't devastated if they lost

Will make you actually enjoy footage of a spelling bee.

Passes the time.

An interesting behind the scenes look at the national spelling bee and the children involved, but I would have liked a little more insight into what makes these kids tick. Interesting documentary, but ultimately a little hollow.

Nominated for Oscar on 2003. This year was tough competition between documentaries. "Bowling..." took the win but i would say that Spellbound was stronger and all over dazzling documentary. Just wonderful.

A great documentary of some awesomely neurotic little letter-dweebs.

Geeks, all of them

Generally, I'm not a big fan of documentaries about children. But this clever film uses the competition of the spelling be to get you invested in a handful of young spellers. Surprisingly intense, with a light sense of humor. The cloying soundtrack can be annoying.

Pretty neat to see how these kids prepare and how it affects them, their friends, family and vice versa. It's worth watching for Harry Altman alone, the kid is hilarious.

Both hilarious and endearing at the same time. Personally the best documentary I've ever seen.

Hard to fault a documentary like this. Annoying kids were never more engaging.

While the suspense of the spelling bee is fun in and of itself--especially for nerds like me that fancy themselves decent spellers--it's really the window into these kids lives in the run up to the bee that makes this film so compelling. The filmmakers did an excellent job choosing kids from a variety of backgrounds, and as middle schoolers, they are just so revealing in a wonderfully innocent way. This is just a great time, especially with a group of friends.

My favorite documentary ever. A great depiction about what America is and the greatness one can achieve through education and language.

Who would have thought a documentary on a spelling bee could be so damned captivating?