(1973)

Submitted by Curt Wiederhoeft

POOPER:
Henry (Paul Newman) and Johnny (Robert redford) don’t really kill each other. Their apparent murders are part of the Sting.


LONG VERSION:
The film is set in September 1936 and follows two con artists, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), who team up to exact revenge on a ruthless mob boss, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). After Hooker and his partner, Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones), unknowingly con one of Lonnegan’s couriers, Luther is killed by Lonnegan’s thugs, prompting Hooker to seek out the retired Gondorff to assist in a grand con. They devise an intricate plan involving a fake betting parlor where they trick Lonnegan into betting a large sum on a rigged horse race. Throughout the film, they navigate numerous obstacles, including interference from corrupt police and Lonnegan’s hitmen.

As the plan unfolds, they manage to manipulate Lonnegan into believing he’s betting on a sure-win, only for the race results to be falsified. The climax involves an FBI raid which appears to go awry, leading to the apparent deaths of Hooker and Gondorff. However, it’s revealed that this was all part of their final act in the con; both are alive and have successfully swindled Lonnegan. The movie ends with Hooker and Gondorff sharing a laugh over their success, highlighting the intricate layers of deception and the camaraderie between the two con men.
Academy Awards for “The Sting”:
Won:

  • Best Picture
  • Best Director (George Roy Hill)
  • Best Art Direction
  • Best Costume Design
  • Best Film Editing
  • Best Original Score
  • Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced

Nominated:

  • Best Actor in a Leading Role (Paul Newman)
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Shaw)
  • Best Cinematography