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The Sting

Play trailer Poster for The Sting PG Released Dec 25, 1973 2h 9m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 107 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take revenge on the ruthless crime boss responsible, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hooker and Gondorff set about implementing an elaborate scheme, one so crafty that Lonnegan won't even know he's been swindled. As their big con unfolds, however, things don't go according to plan, requiring some last-minute improvisation by the undaunted duo.
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The Sting

The Sting

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Critics Consensus

Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and director George Roy Hill prove that charm, humor, and a few slick twists can add up to a great film.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times One of the most enduring and exquisitely crafted blockbusters of all time. Dec 2, 2023 Full Review Andrew Sarris Village Voice Pure popcorn like this is hardly worthy of serious analysis... Fortunately, the stars have not lost their charm and authority. Aug 8, 2022 Full Review Judith Crist New York Magazine/Vulture It's a joy to look at and has that rarest of present-day ingredients, Hill's hallmark -- taste. What glitters here is pure movie gold. Aug 8, 2022 Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times Arguably the G.O.A.T. heist-comedy-blockbuster “The Sting” (seven Oscars) is the premier example of the saying, "They don't make 'em like that anymore." Rated: 5/5 May 17, 2024 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies The Sting has everything going perfectly right from start to finish and still holds up 50 years later as one of the best films ever made. It is a masterclass in filmmaking. Rated: 5/5 Dec 25, 2023 Full Review Keith Garlington Arkansas Democrat-Gazette There's a playful allure that permeates much of the film and it has a cool retro style that calls back to the classic mob movies of Raoul Walsh and Lloyd Bacon. But it also has a touch of 1970s grit which helps sets it apart. Rated: 4/5 Jul 21, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ericka R I love that I had the opportunity to see it on the big screen again. The first movie I saw in a theater that I remember. I was too young to understand most of it, I was 3, but I loved it all the same. Such a marvelous ensemble of stelar craftsmen. My mom suggested we get the soundtrack. I already have it for her. We were over joyed. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie has really good acting and drama. While I haven't seen many movies with Paul Newman, Robert Shaw is a legend in everything he acted in and died too soon. Robert Redford is also a good actor and I really liked the smartly executed plot/character twists that they pulled in the last few scenes (such as his brief "love interest" that worked at the diner and the main FBI agent not being what they seemed to be). I also liked the poker scene on the train. Not only was it intense, but also funny at the same time! It's not underrated or overrated, it's rated just as it should be! It's old and old-fashioned but it deserves its reputation! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/15/24 Full Review David F I found the setup a little confusing but there’s lots of old Hollywood charm and glamour in this Gangster Era-set Chicago crime caper about con men pulling one over on a gang lord. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/05/24 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Too much fun. One of moviedom's all time great entertainments. Newman and Redford and Shaw, all at the the top of their games. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/12/24 Full Review Mahsun Y I think just problem about this film is Doyle Lonnegan lose his power while the movie continues. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Jelisije J An absolute instant classic and probably the greatest con/heist movie of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/30/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Sting

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Cast & Crew

The Sting

The Sting: Official Clip - Name's Lonnegan The Sting: Official Clip - Name's Lonnegan 1:43 The Sting: Official Clip - You're a Gutless Cheat The Sting: Official Clip - You're a Gutless Cheat 2:34 The Sting: Official Clip - Johnny Gets the Girl The Sting: Official Clip - Johnny Gets the Girl 1:20 The Sting: Official Clip - It's Over, Hooker The Sting: Official Clip - It's Over, Hooker 2:58 The Sting: Official Clip - A Real Professional The Sting: Official Clip - A Real Professional 1:35 The Sting: Official Clip - A Game of Jacks The Sting: Official Clip - A Game of Jacks 2:59 The Sting: Official Clip - This is a Class Joint The Sting: Official Clip - This is a Class Joint 2:59 The Sting: Official Clip - The Hook The Sting: Official Clip - The Hook 1:55 The Sting: Official Clip - It's Close The Sting: Official Clip - It's Close 2:31 The Sting: Official Clip - World's Easiest Five Grand The Sting: Official Clip - World's Easiest Five Grand 2:59 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take revenge on the ruthless crime boss responsible, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hooker and Gondorff set about implementing an elaborate scheme, one so crafty that Lonnegan won't even know he's been swindled. As their big con unfolds, however, things don't go according to plan, requiring some last-minute improvisation by the undaunted duo.
Director
George Roy Hill
Producer
Tony Bill, Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips
Screenwriter
David S. Ward
Distributor
Universal Home Entertainment, MCA/Universal Home Video, Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 8, 2015
Runtime
2h 9m
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