The Sting

The Sting was a 1973 film (theatrical release on December 23, 1973) directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Robert Shaw. Hill had previously directed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), which also starred Newman and Redford.

The film is a caper story based in the 1930s and centered around a convoluted plot by two professional "grifters" (Newman and Redford) to con a mob boss (Shaw). The film is divided into distinct sections with old-fashioned title cards. It is noted for its musical score — particularly its theme song, "The Entertainer" — a piano rag by Scott Joplin, which was lightly adapted for the movie by Marvin Hamlisch.

The film was a major success (US$160 million) and was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning seven including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay (David S. Ward), Best Editing, Best Costume Design, and Best Art Direction.

A belated sequel, The Sting II appeared in 1983.