The Sting (1973)

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In 1930s Chicago, a young con man seeking revenge for his murdered partner teams up with a master of the big con to win a fortune from a criminal banker. (imdb)

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Cast and Information

Directed By: George Roy Hill

Written By: David S. Ward

Starring: Charles Durning, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, Robert Shaw, Dana Elcar, Robert Earl Jones, Jack Kehoe, Dimitra Arliss, John Heffernan

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Crime

Franchise: The Sting

Country: USA

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The Sting belongs to 89 collections

1. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (collaborative: moderated by kozan26 - 232 stars)

2. IMDB Top 250 (collaborative: moderated by ppinocchio - 122 stars)

3. Oscar: Best Picture (collaborative: moderated by Quicky - 79 stars)

4. Academy Award - Oscar - Best Picture and Nominees (collaborative: moderated by smviper00 - 43 stars)

5. Empire's 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time (public: Ross - 36 stars)

6. National Film Registry (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 30 stars)

7. The Guardian's 1000 films to see before you die (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 30 stars)

8. Netflix Instant (collaborative: moderated by somnivore - 29 stars)

9. AAA: Empire's five star movies (collaborative: moderated by KasperL - 24 stars)

10. IMDb Top 250 Complete (collaborative: moderated by Jorg - 23 stars)

11. Academy Award - Oscar - ALL Best Picture, Directing, Acting & Screenplay Nominees (collaborative - 22 stars)

12. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2017 revision) (collaborative: moderated by iconogassed - 22 stars)

13. Oscar: Best Director (collaborative: moderated by kangadoodoo - 21 stars)

14. They Shoot Pictures' Recommended Viewing (collaborative: moderated by Cinephile - 19 stars)

15. Best of criticker: Drama (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr - 18 stars)

16. Heist (collaborative: moderated by td888 - 16 stars)

17. Films available in HD (collaborative: moderated by kubricksucks - 13 stars)

18. Con Artist(s) (collaborative: moderated by iceblox - 11 stars)

19. films101.com's 5 star films (collaborative: moderated by ppinocchio - 11 stars)

20. Oscar: Best Writing (adapted/original) (collaborative: moderated by paulofilmo - 10 stars)

21. Cinema Discusso Yearly Consensus (2008) (public: PeaceAnarchy - 10 stars)

22. Twist endings (collaborative: moderated by BeeDub - 9 stars)

23. Best of criticker: Crime (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr - 8 stars)

24. IMDb Top 250 (250 most recurrent) (public: sianaa - 8 stars)

25. David Thomson's 1000 Films (collaborative: moderated by MMAlpha - 7 stars)

26. Best of criticker: Comedy (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr - 7 stars)

27. List: Taschen (collaborative: moderated by KasperL - 6 stars)

28. Best by different standards (public: sesito71 - 6 stars)

29. U.S. Box office over 150 million (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 5 stars)

30. 1930s period film (collaborative: moderated by djross - 5 stars)

31. Art of Manliness 100 Must See Movies for Men (collaborative - 5 stars)

32. List: Empire's 301 Greatest Movies of All Time (collaborative: moderated by KasperL - 5 stars)

33. Top 3000 movies with the most votes on IMDb (public: fanfic - 5 stars)

34. Oscar: Original Music Score (collaborative: moderated by cagedwisdom - 4 stars)

35. cultfilms (public: medium123 - 4 stars)

36. Gambling (collaborative: moderated by djross - 3 stars)

37. They Shoot Pictures ex-Top 1,000 (collaborative: moderated by MMAlpha - 3 stars)

38. Oscar: Film Editing (collaborative: moderated by CarsonWid - 3 stars)

39. Top 1000 movies with the most votes on IMDb (public: fanfic - 3 stars)

40. National Board of Review: Best Film (collaborative: moderated by CCLZA - 2 stars)

41. IMDb Top of The 1970's (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 2 stars)

42. MovieMeter.nl Top 250 (collaborative: moderated by Jorg - 2 stars)

43. Oscar: Best Costume Design (collaborative - 2 stars)

44. Top 2000 movies with the most votes on IMDb (public: fanfic - 2 stars)

45. Chicago (collaborative: moderated by djross - 1 star)

46. my DVDs (collaborative: moderated by Jeb - 1 star)

47. Highest grossing film of the year (collaborative: moderated by djross - 1 star)

48. Doubling the Canon (2011 update) (collaborative: moderated by MMAlpha - 1 star)

49. imdb top 250 / 100% (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr - 1 star)

50. Doubling the Canon (2012 update) (collaborative: moderated by Cinephile - 1 star)

51. Hollywood Hits, 1920 to present (collaborative: moderated by lisa- - 1 star)

52. Duology (collaborative: moderated by Ag0stoMesmer - 1 star)

53. Academy Award Winners for Best Picture (collaborative: moderated by gdfthr337 - 1 star)

54. 4k Ultra HD discs owned (collaborative: moderated by dumbjaw - 1 star)

55. IMDb Top 250 (2 years) (public: sianaa - 1 star)

56. IMDB Top 250 (public: Jason212 - 1 star)

57. Vulture's Top 25 Heist Movies of All Time (public: TychoCelchuu - 1 star)

58. The Greatest Movies of All Time - Filmweb's Alternative Top 500 (public: Hadleyreis - 1 star)

59. DVD Collection (collaborative)

60. Top 100 highest grossing films, adjusted for inflation (collaborative: moderated by nauru)

61. 1st Category (collaborative: moderated by stsakiri3)

62. Films Photographed by Robert Surtees (collaborative: moderated by iconogassed)

63. Referenced in Archer (2009) (collaborative: moderated by babaracus)

64. TSPDT 2017 new additions (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr)

65. Ratings (collaborative: moderated by cheapthrills)

66. Orson Scott Card's Perfect Movie List (collaborative: moderated by BeeDub)

67. Oscar: Best Production Design (collaborative: moderated by Ceekay19)

68. Films mentioned on American Pickers (collaborative: moderated by Dunstan-xxx)

69. Available on Divicast (collaborative: moderated by Dunstan-xxx)

70. Favorites of Each Year (public: Actionberg)

71. The DVD collection of sjostrand (public: sjostrand)

72. Watched in 2010 (public: dgeiser13)

73. 1973: Year in Review (public: polanski28)

74. aNobii Cineforum (public: earthlydel)

75. My DVD Collection (public: balseiros)

76. Filmspotting Ratings Project: Week 1 (public: PeaceAnarchy)

77. BF-70 (public: caffe)

78. favoriler (public: ceseth)

79. Owned (public: ribcage)

80. The best films ever made in terms of sheer quality (public: JSchlansky)

81. Hitlist (public: bktan)

82. KENDELL'S MASSIVE LIST (public: kendell)

83. My Movie Collection (public: elhenzo)

84. Heist Films (public: PrestoBix)

85. C-1970 (public: cantahta)

86. 1970s Mile High Club (public: Dunstan-xxx)

87. Blu-ray Collection (public: TripEuphoric)

88. Films Watched 2021 (public: knoroz)

89. on PLEX (public: ozdemibr)

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All Ratings | With Reviews

Order by:

TCI | Percentile | Date Rated | # Stars (Reviews)

Stars	User	Rating
6	spleen	100 _99th
If you see one movie this year, make sure it's not "The Wolverine". Watch this instead. And avoid the sequel like the plague.
5	MartinTeller	72 _41st
I love con artist movies, but they're all kind of the same. Always at the end there's the moment where they reveal the bigger con that you didn't know about. Since you know it's coming you spend a lot of time second-guessing everything. So, it's pretty easy to figure out what's going on in The Sting. But it's entertaining anyway. And I like Scott Joplin, so that's a plus.
5	Alex Watkins	4 _70th
As entertaining as they come. Great period portrayal, a stellar lineup of both stars (Newman/Redford) and character actors (Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Harold Gould, Eileen Brennan), a really fun and twisting plot, and all those great Scott Joplin interludes. I found myself laughing out loud at how much fun I was having at times.
4	Pickpocket	8 _82nd
A very worthy best picture winner. The Academy really loved crime movies around this period (French Connection in 71, Godfather in 72, this in 73 and Godfather 2 in 74). Paul Newman is such a badass, I really wish there was more of him. My only complaints are some weak editing and SPOILER Hooker refusing his cut at the end. Seriously, wtf? At least take the money and give it to Luther's widow, since that was the whole point - revenge for your ex partner.
3	CMonster	80 _69th
Lonnigan's #2 looks like Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
2	jimmynmu	87 _87th
Damn fine entertainment. Also good luck not having the soundtrack stuck in your head after watching.
2	Moribunny	90 _97th
No small feat, The Sting is every bit as elegant and charming as its Scott Joplin soundtrack.
2	begoniabol	92 _96th
At the start I wasn't sure I liked it or not, but damn, not long after the rusty start, it becomes so entertaining and fun. Simply fantastic, with great acting and a smart story! "Hey that would be real nice of you Mr. Largan!" Lonnegan... "burp"
2	SirStuckey	90 _94th
Redford and Newman are the definition of cool. They costar in two very different movies and are both amazing in each. The movie probably would have been ok in some lesser actors hands as it's well written and it keeps you guessing until the final scene, but the fact that these two juggernauts of the big screen were in it made it an instant classic. Love the theme song too.
2	billkerwin	81 _48th
A clever, empty film, its emptiness hidden by the charisma of its stars.
2	afx237vi	70 _69th
Maybe it's because I'm lazy and can't imagine anyone ever going to that much trouble, but the caper... it's a little over-elaborate, isn't it? By the time Newman gives all the extras their cut, there won't be anything left! Apart from that, it's a very entertaining film. Light and breezy in tone, great chemistry between Newman and Redford and terrific attention to the period details.
2	dmbbearcat	98 _98th
One of my favorite films of the '70s, which was arguably the greatest decade for film in cinematic history. Just a fun film with great performances and dialogue.
1	Magb	75 _50th
Good acting, some cool twists and great entertainment, but, all in all, nothing monumental.
1	DavidKahane	89 _81st
The appeal of "The Sting" is the perfectly clicking gear intricacies of its plot and the slick, assured directing by Newman and Redford's old "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" helmer George Roy Hill. It's pure confection, right down to its studio set realization of 1930's Chicago. On those terms, it's winning and engaging enough to make concerns about the softer elements slip away like a playing card up a sleeve.
1	Filligan	81 _44th
Yeah, fun. Classy fun, even. Substance, well, that's another matter. And if The Sting was the first of its kind, it's a shame that so many films and shows have since been emulating that con artist twist. It's like hearing an amazing joke hundreds of times for years, and then going to see the film where the joke originated from.
1	terrymac	87 _95th
This was very entertaining. Newman and Redford were a joy to watch, and the assembled cast did a great job. The ending was rather satisfying. The director seems to have made quite a few well-reviewed films...I'd be inclined to check some of them out after seeing this.
1	tma1	80 _75th
A lot of fun seeing smart characters pulling elaborate cons. Only problem is they are too smart, and ruins the suspense. Good performances all around, and a damn find sound track
1	Kavu	90 _94th
Classic conman movie with great acting, solid directing and a superb script.
1	bethelysa	90 _91st
I still remember the thrill of the first time I saw this film. It just delighted me, the way the pieces all fit together so smoothly. It was never quite as good again as it was that first time, that first surprise, but it holds up surprisingly well -- largely due to Redford and Newman, and the immensely talented supporting cast. A great caper movie. No, just a great movie.
1	mlightle3	90 _84th
Classic caper, great performances, dialogue, etc. Pure talent from all sides.
1	Derekstar	80 _68th
Robert Redford, y'old scamp. I just want to gently put my knuckle to his chin and push it slightly so that he has to turn his head and grin.
1	joseywales	86 _94th
Robert Shaw is fantastic!
1	Freder	95 _92nd
Nothing about the lady hit man quite works for me anymore, but the rest of the picture is just dynamite. Just about as playful as a movie for grown-ups can get.
1	gberke	100 _96th
ah! the best. great adventure, wonderful people
1	moviefan99	90 _92nd
A classic!
1	joshk84	88 _94th
A very well done movie with a couple great actors between Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Great movie.
1	nocturna	100 _96th
Fantastic film. Another classic.
1	BillyShears	100 _98th
:')
1	Attached Eon	89 _95th
the best heist movie there is. unless i contradict myself.
1	Luna6ix	86 _92nd
well pulled off, with some very good acting. a wonderful story and a feel good ending, good characters and great idea.
1	Timon88	74 _72nd
The plot is just interesting enough to keep things going, but it's worth seeing for a cast where every member seems to be at the peak of his or her magnetism. Aside from the obvious ones, I have rarely enjoyed watching Charles Durning as much, and Eileen Brennan is just spot-on fabulous...I'll gladly watch her do anything (and have--remember "At Long Last Love"??)
1	Jeb	99 _95th
Sting wins my award for favorite comedy, and it will always have a small place in my heart.
1	Obdurate	80 _66th
A fun time that is made possible by a smart script that had some decent comedy, a lot of charisma from all the actors, but especially Redford and Newman, and a soundtrack that will play forever in my head. I'm not in love with it but I see its status as a great movie.
1	EastonD	80 _67th
good film but I think they could have covered more about his life. His feud with Ric Flair for starters.
1	Optimus_mike	90 _90th
A very fun "buddy" movie that hits all the right notes for enjoyment.
1	omgfridge	9 _92nd
I loved this. Redford/Newman chemistry together is of the highest tier. The story itself is smart and slick. Not sure why anyone would not enjoy this movie.
1	svenerik	35 _6th
Still don't know why I can't stand Robert Redford. Maybe it's because he's a bad actor.
1	Boobr	99 _96th
The kind of movie i will never forget - Redford and Newman made their best.
1	Valenzetti	77 _50th
It's pretty uneventful as a con movie, but the charisma of the cast breathes enough life into it to make it entertaining.
1	PetrosTser	90 _96th
Brilliant.
1	hellboy76	89 _97th
Redford and Newman team back up again and haven't lost any chemistry. Add Shaw as a great baddie and one awesome movie is born.
1	fdcardano	93 _93rd
The quintessential heist-movie.
1	Noblet	81 _73rd
Predictable plot, but it's a damn fun ride anyway.
1	Redrabbit	94 _85th
I have such fond memories of this, a really good film
1	JPTremors	95 _94th
Wonderfully cast, Newman and Redford are perfect in there roles as com men. Sharp and well written, this film gives you so many twists and turns that at the end you still feel turned on end. This movie seems to have no dull moments, brilliant and exciting until the end.
1	hotsake	72 _79th
It's pretty dated, gets bogged down during the middle and is very predictable but still lots of fun. I really dislike Robert Redford which is why I didn't rate this higher.
1	Nepeta	65 _35th
The return of the Newman Redford combo after the success of the overrated Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a bit better than their last attempt. It's charming, fun and Redford and Newman are great together, and of course I enjoy the Joplin, but it all feels a bit twee, a bit like some big game of dress-up, and it just wasn't fun enough for how insubstantial it is.
1	Nick Hamden (Gorgon Reviews)	100 _95th
The whole movie I knew there would be twists at the end. It still surprised me.
1	joel-w-m	7 _64th
Nothing flashy here, but not a thing off or out of place either: the sets (within sets), soundtrack, cinematography, and scene transitions expertly craft the 30s-era stage, the script is stacked with slick dialogue and cool cons and some comedy too (see Henry at the poker game), and the talent hits at all home. A deeper dive into the lives of the leads would've been a great cherry on top (gimme more lines like this one: "I'm the same as you. It's two in the morning and I don't know nobody").
1	Hawkins	73 _52nd
Like any good con it's crafty, charming, and well-acted. A love letter to suspension of disbelief.
1	IceStark7	90 _94th
An ending that will shock you for sure!

Average Percentile 71.93% from 4823 Ratings