The Sting

Name: The Sting
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Crime
Released: December 25, 1973
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 83
Cast: Paul Newman, Robert Redford

1973

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 75 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 75 Ratings

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The Sting

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 1973 | TV-14

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford

Summary: In Chicago of September 1936, a young con man seeks revenge for his murdered by teaming up with a master of the big con to win a fortune from a criminal banker.

Director: George Roy Hill

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Crime

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 129 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

The style here is so seductive and witty it's hard to pin down. It's like nothing else I've seen by Hill, and at times, it almost reminds me of Jacques Tati crossed with Robert Altman. It's good to get a crime movie more concerned with humor and character than with blood and gore; here's one, as we say, for the whole family. Read full review

100

Empire William Thomas

One of those instances where everything good about Hollywood just fell into one place at the right time, it's almost impossible not to get swept up in the vivaciousness of The Sting as a whole. Magnificent, timeless stuff. Read full review

100

The Telegraph Patrick Smith

In an age when films such as Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven are revered for their trickery, The Sting remains the definitive con artist comedy: as irresistible and ingenious as the scheme that hooks in Doyle. Read full review

James Berardinelli

The Sting represents one of the most popular, widely-loved films to win Best Picture in the last half-century and an example of grand entertainment. Read full review

Vincent Canby

A lot of the other period details aren't too firmly anchored in time, but the film is so good-natured, so obviously aware of everything it's up to, even its own picturesque frauds, that I opt to go along with it. One forgives its unrelenting efforts to charm, if only because The Sting itself is a kind of con game, devoid of the poetic aspirations that weighed down "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

All a bit soulless, but at least there's no equivalent of the 'Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head' sequence. All those who liked the earlier film should enjoy this as much. Read full review

Jay Cocks

The Sting was not made to be taken seriously, but many people may find it difficult even to enjoy casually. It lacks the elements that could have given it true drive. [31 Dec 1973, p.50]

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User Reviews

MarcDoyle

Mar 16, 2017

Absolutely one of my all-time favorites. The acting, the music, the dialogue: "Do you want a percentage or flat rate? Who's the mark? Doyle Lannigan... Flat Rate...."

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

alejandro970

Dec 31, 2022

The saying goes: a thief who steals a thief has 100 years of forgiveness. A '70s classic in its own right that cleverly mixes comedy with a crime story. What gives it more flavor with the performances of Robert Redford and Paul Newman, and the iconic musician Marvin Hamlich. It is not overThe saying goes: a thief who steals a thief has 100 years of forgiveness. A '70s classic in its own right that cleverly mixes comedy with a crime story. What gives it more flavor with the performances of Robert Redford and Paul Newman, and the iconic musician Marvin Hamlich. It is not over seeing it now that it is 50 years old.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ahmedaiman9999

Jun 7, 2018

Funny, delightful, witty, thought-provoking, and aware of everything it's up to. The Sting is a stylish crime film that is for everyone. And, of course, Redford and Newman shine. It's just a bit convoluted in the first 20 minutes. Watch it ASAP, you follow? (9/10)

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ralfbergs

Feb 2, 2018

I really enjoyed this movie and consider it one of the classics. At first, before watching it (I watched it in 2017) I thought that it will be some outdated movie and I wondered why I haven't even heard about it. But after checking it out I thought it is one of the most interesting movies II really enjoyed this movie and consider it one of the classics. At first, before watching it (I watched it in 2017) I thought that it will be some outdated movie and I wondered why I haven't even heard about it. But after checking it out I thought it is one of the most interesting movies I have seen in a long time - a really great movie with great actors and interesting plot.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Jul 3, 2018

a viscous bite that spreads like fire in a forest..

The Sting 3 Out Of 5 The Sting is a heist thriller about two con artists whose plan to take down the impossible might just be possible. The scrutiny in here isn't as convoluted or glorifying as the makers think but is undeniablya viscous bite that spreads like fire in a forest..

The Sting

3 Out Of 5

The Sting is a heist thriller about two con artists whose plan to take down the impossible might just be possible. The scrutiny in here isn't as convoluted or glorifying as the makers think but is undeniably impressive and breezy to encounter which comes with cons too, like the characters never seems to be in trouble and has a way out of every calculated conflicts; primary reason why audience feels disconnected with the viewers. It is short on technical aspects like sound department, cinematography and editing although has amazing costume design and background score in its favor. The writing is weak yet gripping with varied tactics of heists that helps keep the audience engaged in it. The screenplay by David S. Ward pitches an impactful heist tale that is unforgettable in its own way. George Roy Hill; the director, has done a marvelous job on executing the script which could have easily come off as a hoax. The performance is decently acted out by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in their parallel roles and Robert Shaw in a supporting role. The Sting has a viscous bite that spreads like fire in a forest for despite of being loosely written it certifiably makes it entertaining.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Paul_Cawston

Feb 15, 2021

The Sting is the equivalent of Windows 95, foundational and necessary for subsequent follow ups but unless you have nostalgia for it, or just really wanna play the original solitaire, there's no reason to go back to it. The Sting is a heist movie, where several con men try to con the manThe Sting is the equivalent of Windows 95, foundational and necessary for subsequent follow ups but unless you have nostalgia for it, or just really wanna play the original solitaire, there's no reason to go back to it. The Sting is a heist movie, where several con men try to con the man who's never been conned. Con-versely I hope you haven’t seen Oceans 11 because if you have then congratulations you've seen The Sting. Oceans 11 achieves everything that The Sting sets out to do in a more concise, well edited manner. The only thing The Sting has on Oceans 11 is it's old retro style charm, title cards appear after each act like older films, which is an odd tradition thinking about it. To anyone who claims that modern attention spans are low, just know that moves used to have breaks in them. Other than the scheduled potty breaks, the movie also utilizes a traditional, minimal editing style throughout the movie. Simple wipes are used everywhere, horizontal wipes, vertical wipes even some unique shapes that should never be used outside myfirstproject.mov. Judging by my review score you can tell that I am personally not a fan of this older style of filmmaking. My favorite directors consist of Edgar Wright and Steven Kubrick, directors that heavily utilize distinct and direct cuts creating a great sense of flow and cohesion with every film they make, older editing styles just don't have that. There's a good movie just below the surface of The Sting, it's just covered in a thick layer of dust caused by age. With some polish, modern editing software and brighter color palette The Sting could be a good movie. Just spit balling ideas, set it in Las Vegas, expand the cast a little bit, focus more on the plan and less so the execution and you have an amazing film. Wonder if any film like that exists...… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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