Why The Sting (1973) Won Best Picture Over The Exorcist

Описание: Introduction and Hook It is rare for a movie to fool its audience as effectively as it fools its villain. The Sting, released in 1973, is widely considered the ultimate caper film. Reuniting the dream team of Paul Newman and Robert Redford just four years after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, this movie delivered a masterclass in charm, deception, and plot twists. But how did a lighthearted period piece about 1930s grifters manage to sweep the Academy Awards and beat out heavyweights like The Exorcist? Today, we place our bets and dive into the mechanics of the perfect con.

About The Film Directed by George Roy Hill, The Sting is set in Depression-era Chicago. The story follows a young, ambitious grifter named Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) who accidentally steals from the wrong man—Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), a vicious Irish mob boss. To survive and seek revenge for his murdered partner, Hooker teams up with the legendary master con artist Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman). Together, they assemble a team of specialized crooks to pull off "The Big Con," an elaborate scheme involving a fake betting parlor and a wire scam designed to take Lonnegan for everything he is worth.

The Newman and Redford Chemistry The success of the film hinges largely on the effortless charisma of its two leads. While Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid established them as a duo, The Sting solidified their status as Hollywood icons. We analyze their on-screen dynamic: Redford as the hot-headed apprentice and Newman as the cynical, seasoned mentor. Their relationship drives the emotional core of the film, making the audience root for criminals because they are stealing from someone far worse. We also look at Robert Shaw's intimidating performance, which provides the necessary threat to keep the tension high.

The Music: A Ragtime Revival You cannot talk about The Sting without mentioning its soundtrack. Composer Marvin Hamlisch adapted the ragtime piano music of Scott Joplin, specifically "The Entertainer," which became an unlikely top-ten hit in the 1970s. Interestingly, ragtime was historically out of style by the 1930s setting of the film, but the anachronistic choice worked perfectly. We discuss how the music gave the film a nostalgic, storybook quality that softened the edges of the crime elements and made the intricate plot feel like a playful dance.

Deconstructing the Con The film is famously structured like a book, using title cards to divide the narrative into sections like "The Set-Up," "The Hook," "The Tale," and "The Sting." This structure allows the audience to feel like they are insiders learning the trade secrets of the con. We break down the mechanics of the "wire game" portrayed in the movie, explaining how real-life con artists operated during the Great Depression. The script, written by David S. Ward, is a puzzle box that rewards repeat viewings, as hints about the final twist are planted throughout the first two acts.

Why This Movie Matters Today The Sting remains the gold standard for the heist genre. Its influence can be seen in modern films like Ocean's Eleven and Now You See Me. It taught filmmakers that a heist movie does not need to be violent to be gripping; it just needs to be smart. In a cinema landscape often dominated by dark, gritty reboots, The Sting stands as a reminder of the value of pure entertainment, polished screenwriting, and the joy of watching a well-executed plan come together.

Conclusion and Recommendation If you have never experienced the final twist of The Sting, you are in for a treat. It is a movie that plays fair with the audience but still manages to pull the rug out from under you. It is sophisticated, funny, and beautifully shot.

Join the Discussion Did you see the final twist coming the first time you watched it? And do you think this is the best Newman/Redford collaboration, or do you prefer Butch Cassidy? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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