The Sting (1973)

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)
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
Franchise: The Sting
Country: USA
Where to Stream
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The Sting belongs to 89 collections
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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)
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14. They Shoot Pictures' Recommended Viewing (collaborative: moderated by Cinephile - 19 stars)
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29. U.S. Box office over 150 million (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 5 stars)
30. 1930s period film (collaborative: moderated by djross - 5 stars)
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41. IMDb Top of The 1970's (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 2 stars)
42. MovieMeter.nl Top 250 (collaborative: moderated by Jorg - 2 stars)
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55. IMDb Top 250 (2 years) (public: sianaa - 1 star)
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57. Vulture's Top 25 Heist Movies of All Time (public: TychoCelchuu - 1 star)
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Browse the full list of collections
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CMonster | 80 69th |
Lonnigan's #2 looks like Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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jimmynmu | 87 87th |
Damn fine entertainment. Also good luck not having the soundtrack stuck in your head after watching.
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Moribunny | 90 97th |
No small feat, The Sting is every bit as elegant and charming as its Scott Joplin soundtrack.
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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*"
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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.
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billkerwin | 81 48th |
A clever, empty film, its emptiness hidden by the charisma of its stars.
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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.
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2 | dmbbearcat | 98 98th |
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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.
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1 | ![]() |
Magb | 75 50th |
Good acting, some cool twists and great entertainment, but, all in all, nothing monumental.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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1 | ![]() |
Kavu | 90 94th |
Classic conman movie with great acting, solid directing and a superb script.
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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.
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1 | mlightle3 | 90 84th |
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Classic caper, great performances, dialogue, etc. Pure talent from all sides.
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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.
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1 | ![]() |
joseywales | 86 94th |
Robert Shaw is fantastic!
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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.
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1 | gberke | 100 96th |
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ah! the best. great adventure, wonderful people
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1 | moviefan99 | 90 92nd |
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A classic!
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1 | joshk84 | 88 94th |
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A very well done movie with a couple great actors between Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Great movie.
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1 | nocturna | 100 96th |
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Fantastic film. Another classic.
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1 | ![]() |
BillyShears | 100 98th |
:')
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Attached Eon | 89 95th |
the best heist movie there is. unless i contradict myself.
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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.
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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"??)
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Jeb | 99 95th |
Sting wins my award for favorite comedy, and it will always have a small place in my heart.
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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.
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EastonD | 80 67th |
good film but I think they could have covered more about his life. His feud with Ric Flair for starters.
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Optimus_mike | 90 90th |
A very fun "buddy" movie that hits all the right notes for enjoyment.
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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.
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svenerik | 35 6th |
Still don't know why I can't stand Robert Redford. Maybe it's because he's a bad actor.
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1 | Boobr | 99 96th |
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The kind of movie i will never forget - Redford and Newman made their best.
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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.
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1 | ![]() |
PetrosTser | 90 96th |
Brilliant.
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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.
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1 | fdcardano | 93 93rd |
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The quintessential heist-movie.
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1 | ![]() |
Noblet | 81 73rd |
Predictable plot, but it's a damn fun ride anyway.
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1 | Redrabbit | 94 85th |
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I have such fond memories of this, a really good film
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1 | JPTremors | 95 94th |
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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.
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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.
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1 | Nepeta | 65 35th |
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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.
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1 | ![]() |
Nick Hamden (Gorgon Reviews) | 100 95th |
The whole movie I knew there would be twists at the end. It still surprised me.
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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").
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1 | ![]() |
Hawkins | 73 52nd |
Like any good con it's crafty, charming, and well-acted. A love letter to suspension of disbelief.
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1 | ![]() |
IceStark7 | 90 94th |
An ending that will shock you for sure!
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Average Percentile 71.93% from 4823 Ratings | ![]() |