The Sting (1973) Was a Twisty Thrill Ride | *First Time Watching* Movie Reaction & Commentary

Full length reaction on Patreon: / casualnerdreactions
My first time watching The Sting (1973). The way they revealed information in this movie was brilliant and (mostly) kept me engaged and guessing throughout! I hope you enjoy my movie reaction & commentary!
Get the movie: amzn.to/35exoyx
Hi, I'm Chris! Welcome to my channel. I react to movies & tv shows hoping to represent what it's really like to experience them for the first time. If you enjoy, you can support me by liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and letting me know your thoughts in the comments.
Support on Patreon for full length reactions - / casualnerdreactions
Connect with me on twitter / nerdreactions
Join the discord: / discord
E-mail me at [e-mail]
If you found value in this content then please consider subscribing for more like it.
Subscribe Here: bit.ly/3bcEEMa
Music:
Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Camera:
Sony a6600 - amzn.to/3kQN9Rj
Sigma 16mm Lens - amzn.to/2Y9u7gz
Tamron 25-75mm Lens - amzn.to/3ukMGKi
Mics:
Blue Yeti Microphone - amzn.to/3kOah31
Sony ECM-B1M - amzn.to/3CQi8mE
iPhone mic: shure MV88 -- amzn.to/3EXLIsB
Lighting:
Godox vl150 - amzn.to/3a2ePg9
Parabolic Soft box: amzn.to/3kSI9Mi
C-Stand: amzn.to/3EZETXp
Neewer 43 Inch Reflector: amzn.to/3iB1rUX
Bi-Color LED Lights - amzn.to/3mc2hrQ
Accessories:
Headphones - amzn.to/3EKQWq4
Tripod - amzn.to/39PgUM1
2 TB External SSD Hard Drive - amzn.to/3m5TpnW
SD Card - amzn.to/39Njbrm
Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. They don't cost you anything, but by clicking and/or purchasing, I may get a small commission.
Original Movie: The Sting (1973)
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

This movie was a genuine trip! I thought I had it figured out and then they proved me wrong! What do you think of The Sting?

[@richardb6260]

I like that you're soliciting under the radar films. I love Alien, Star Wars, and Back to the Future as much as anyone. But you can only watch so many reactions to the same movie Here's a few early 70s suggestions. George Roy Hill, director of The Sting, directed Robert Redford in The Great Waldo Pepper. It's about a barn storming pilot in the 30s. Silent Running is a great Sci Fi film by the guy who was in charge of the FX for 2001: A Space Odyssey. Another great Sci Fi film is Colossus: The Forbin Project. A couple more early 70s Sci Fi films include The Andromeda Strain. An adaptation of the bestselling novel by Michael Crichton. I also recommend Crichton's film, Westworld. The basis for HBO's recent TV series. These Sci Fi films are from the pre Star Wars age and all have serious plots with something to say with less emphasis on FX.

[@TerryNationB7]

I love watching The Sting. Rewatches are still great even though I know all the cons, as it's just so satisfying watching it all take shape and run so smoothly.

[@Daniel24724]

"The Sting" is the first movie I went to watch in theater. I didn't understand it. But I discovered that movies can be rewachted the same day. At the second view, I understood it and loved it. 💖

[@Daniel24724]

@@KaiIngebrigtsen Robert Shaw (Captain Quint) in "Jaws" ?

[@michaelceraso1977]

Thank gawd A reaction for this SOO Entertaining FILM! 2 Great lookin actors wth a GREAT cast and story and THE RAG TIME music that became pop in early 70's , MY whole family loved this pic after a friend in HIGH school raved about it and predicted it would win OSCARS BTW @CAsual NERd reactions, THE distinguished actor who was HOOKER's pal and got killed was Robert Earl Jones the father of JAMES Earl JOnes who of course was the voice of DARTH VAder

[@BigSleepyOx]

Great reaction. It's a crime how little this movie gets reacted to on KZbin. This movie swept the Oscars (10 noms, 7 wins, including Best Picture) and was a box office smash hit (cost $6M to make, made $160M). This is a great movie and deserves to get more reactions!! :)

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Maybe more will follow if this one does well!

[@ollietsb1704]

At the same time, we've all seen enough reactors whose uneducated arrogance is based on Year Of Film's Making only. "I never like old movies" is seldom said, but that's obvious. Much more obvious is "I'm surprised the effects are so good" and "I can't believe they made films this good." "They" - ie, pre-2021 film-makers apparently. Sheesh. With very little effort, however, once can learn that "talkies" were new in 1929 and almost immediately, filmmakers and studios launched into highly sync'd and choreographed musicals. Just think - taking audio-recording to a MAX LEVEL from the start! I can only hope those reactor will turn into TRUE film-fans and they'll eventually succumb to curiousity - "What else has this actor or director done?" or "I didn't realize this was a remake - I wonder what the original is like?"

[@leslauner5062]

The music was mostly the works of American Ragtime composer Scott Joplin interpreted by Marvin Hamlisch. His soundtrack reunited the world with this great music that was very prevalent at the end of the 19th Century. I'm grateful he did, as it inspired me to learn to play the piano and I've had a successful career as a pianist for over 30 years.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

That's great that it inspired your career. Technically, ragtime isn't from the right time period for this movie. It doesn't matter. It sets the mood beautifully.

[@leslauner5062]

@@Jeff_Lichtman Yeah, it was about 30 years out of date, musically, but you're right. It definitely set the mood well for this film. I look at it kind of like how "Guardians of the Galaxy" has a soundtrack of songs from 30-40 years earlier, too.

[@TTM9691]

That's a great story! Scott Joplin was great.

[@Peter-tg1kk]

Also the orchestra versions of the rags were done by Gunther Schuller. Yet Hamlisch got all the credit. Probably because he wrote the more contemporary numbers ( like the hooker music). But Scott Joplin stole the show

[@wwoods66]

@@leslauner5062 "Guardians" had the in-story justification that the playlist was created by Quill's mother that far back.

[@stevedietrich8936]

They didn't just con you, they conned absolutely every one of us. One of the all time greatest movies ever. Great music score, great cast.

[@ParkerAllen2]

Fun little detail I heard Robert Shaw talk about in an interview years ago: Just before they began shooting this film he injured his leg playing tennis. He was upset and told the filmmakers he was sorry but he would have to drop out of the movie. They said it would be fine - he would just become a gangster who had a limp. And that's why he limps through the entire film.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I love that they just incorporated that into his character. It was a great detail !

[@stephanieellis5399]

Yes. He even chose to exaggerate the limp.

[@artbagley1406]

Another funny twist is that Paul Newman's character takes another name for the poker game on the train: last name SHAW, same as the actor's who played Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), the nemesis.

[@melenatorr]

Doyle Lonnegan is the late great Robert Shaw, Quint from "Jaws". The big draw for this movie when it first came out was the partnership of Newman and Redford, reuniting after "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"; but the story is so great, and the con on audience so rewarding, it bypassed the marketing strategy! I also thought, when I watched for the first time, that there were slow parts that didn't need to be there, but if you give this a re-watch, you'll see that the rhythm of the plot is necessary for the ride the audience takes: remember the movie is conning you as well as Lonnegan and Snyder, and the "slow" parts are part of that con, and lay out the mini-cons between the characters. It's also necessary to get you as invested in our pair of thieves as possible - in real life, after all, they're small-time non-violent Lonnegans, so we need time to understand and live with their loyalties and values. I'm betting that, if you re-watch, and focus on the structure, which is intricate(!), you'll find those slow moments aren't so slow after all.

[@epsteinisms1483]

@Maria E. Torres Oh, I absolutely, heartily agree! I can't think of any part of this film that could be cut without sacrificing plot or character development! It's just perfect! I went to see this for the first time the very day after it won its multiple awards. I was disappointed in the Oscars that year - certainly "The Exorcist" would have been my pick to win all the top awards. And when it lost the award for Best Editing to "The Sting" I almost couldn't believe it! But after I saw it the next day it was obvious that the Oscars got it right. What a great film! Kinda sad to think that there are those who consider this to be "under the radar". In its day it was as popular as can be.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

My dad really wants me to react to Soylent Green!

[@melenatorr]

@@CasualNerdReactions Your dad has good taste! Very, very, very different from this movie, and weirdly relevant today. You will get to see Charlton Heston, and get what I'm guessing will be your introduction to Edward G. Robinson, in what I think was his last role. Robinson became famous in the 1930s playing gangsters, but he had tremendous range, and could do anything from high drama to tender family fare to wonderfully mocking comedy. If only for him, it's worth seeing "Soylent Green" but there are other reasons too.

[@michaelceraso1977]

Well stated as I was confused when I first saw it and the slow or rather- A build up to the CON inside the big con. Like when Redford had to con US that he was going to Give up his partner to the "FEDS" and what a shocker at end. I hope we see more reactors and If they guess that THe lead actors "cannot die" as Chris was did!

[@thunderstruck5484]

@@CasualNerdReactions one of my favorite Edward G Robinson performances in Soylent Green

[@seraiharper5553]

I first saw this when it came out in 1973. I was 12, my brother was 11, and my sister was 4. My mom took us to see it in its first week and we all loved it. The moment Hooker opened his eyes? I can't tell you how the audience screamed. It was such a SHOCK. This was the first time that con artists had been the subjects of a whole film, and the first time a film itself had joined in with a con. It blew everyone's mind and was a massive hit. Eventually, it came to the little mall theater near us, where weekday matinees were $1. We went _every week_ that summer. I can still recite whole chunks of it by heart.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

haha that would be an awesome theater experience!

[@LilannB]

@@CasualNerdReactions Everyone went to see The Sting back in 1973 so it played forever in theaters. It ended up making $156 million keep in mind that was in 1973 dollars when movie tickets were about $2. So The Sting was the second movie after The Godfather to reach $100 mil.

[@The_Great_Darino]

Kudos for watching this. 97% of reactors wouldn’t be able to keep up with the intricacies of this movie. They’d all be waiting for the explosions, etc.

[@lordrahl2345]

This is one of my dad's favorite movies. Everything about this movie is fantastic.

[@mrfomo217]

Yes! Finally someone reacts to this (almost) forgotten masterpiece. I knew I could count on you, Chris.

[@bighuge1060]

This movie will forever remain close to my heart. Besides being an excellent movie in its own rights, it was the first of two movies my father and I saw together in the movie theatre (The second being Young Frankenstein). We were a family of seven so Pop taking me alone for a father/son night out was one of those sweet moments I'll remember to the day I die. I also saw the musical version of The Sting on one of NJ's two big theatres and I loved every moment of it. In the 1980s I bought Pop and I a grey Stetson fedora and I worn mine to the nub. Pop wore his on Easter and now two years after he passed away, I have it still in its original Stetson box. This was all because of this fantastic movie. Apologies for the anecdote but i hope you found it an interesting read.

[@pistolsscaramanga3437]

The slower pace of this movie is what makes it stand above the shoulders of today’s fast paced comparable movies.

[@s.jackson8098]

I'm always struck by how multi-talented Robert Shaw was. Most widely known today as a movie star, especially for his portrayal of Quint in 'Jaws'. He's obviously excellent here. He was incredible as King Henry VIII in the film version of 'A Man for All Seasons". He started as a stage actor and did very, very well-respected Shakespearean performances. But what really astounds me is that in addition to his acting, he was a serious novelist and playwright. His 1968 play 'The Man in the Glass Booth' -- based on his own novel of the same name -- was a hit both in London and on Broadway. Its basic plot deals with "a Jewish businessman pretending to be a Nazi war criminal, or a Nazi war criminal pretending to be a Jewish businessman." (Wikipedia's phrasing, and it's pretty accurate.) I love that Shaw doesn't take the easy way out. He digs deep into layer upon layer of moral issues that have no easy answer. The play became a film starring Maximilian Schell (and man, was he ever great). Shaw wasn't happy with the screenplay adaptation though, and had his own name removed from the credits. Then he saw the film, was surprised and impressed, and changed his mind. It was too late to add his name back in though. He died aged 51. Way, way, way too young.

[@Medietos]

So true, he is really goifted at showing psychologically Lonnegan's fearful, tense, paranoid character with a Liver/Gall issue (the hte and rage).dnä't know how he was supposed to be able to think clearly with that reactivity.

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

Fun Fact: "The Entertainer" by ragtime composer Scott Joplin was originally released in 1902, but because of this movie it became the 9th biggest selling single of the 1970s. The whole decade, I mean. Marvin Hamlisch's recording of it -- used as the theme for this movie -- won an Academy Award for Best Original or Adapted Song or Score, and was basically responsible for Scott Joplin being recognized as an important an influential musician in his own right, as well as sparking new interest in ragtime music as a genre.. (He'd effectively been forgotten prior to this movie's release in 1973.) As a side-note, the songs that sold more singles than "The Entertainer" were “Bridge Over Trouble Water” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees, “Let it Be” by the Beatles, “Ain't No Sunshine (When She's Gone)” by Bill Withers, “(They Long to Be) Close to You” by the Carpenters, “American Woman” by the Guess Who, "Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver, and “I'll Take You There” by the Staples Singers."

[@Lannisen]

The biggest Sting is the one pulled on the audience! I love this film, think I saw it first when I was around 12, and that tune has been living rent free in my head regularly, along with the themes of Gremlins and Poltergeist 😅

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It has visited my head repeatedly since watching the film haha.

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

I haven't even hit play yet and I'm already happy.

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

I hate that you skipped past the Western Union office con part of the movie, because that was always one of my very favorite parts. 😀 LOVE IT! So many wonderful cons going on in this movie! When I first saw this movie when I was young, Luther's death tore me up because he looked a lot like a friend of mine's grandfather. I still get sad at that scene now. It does move slowly in places, but that really is as much by design and with real and good intent. Let's be real, sometimes the agony of making it through the slow parts is the tension of wanting to get to what comes next, and the tension was ratcheted up by the moments when, even as an ADD addled kid, I was focused on the movie through the slow parts so I wouldn't miss anything, because there was so much that could be missed. The hitter in the shadows, the watcher at the windows, the subtle moves, the quiet sneaks, all that stuff. It felt really cool to catch it when it happened and it was a part of the era, especially since we were often left to entertain ourselves as kids when this came out in '73 (I was 5 then), without any kind of tech to do the entertaining for us. 🙂 If you want endless action from this era of movies, then find a Sam Peckinpah movie. 😀 Also, this movie has one of my favorite lesser-known actors in it: Charles Dierkop. He was the shorter of Lonnegan's two goons, the man with the flattened nose. He also had a role in the other Newman/Redford tour de force from this era, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

[@NORGCO]

A point to remember: When they mention amounts of money, $50 a month - $600 a year - was considered good pay for a normal guy. The US Army paid a private that much in WWII, and it was a cliche that it was the highest-paid army in the world. The film is set during the Great Depression of the 1930's, so when they casually say getting into the card game is a $500 minimum that is ten months pay for a normal guy.

[@HermanVonPetri]

Yay, one of my all time favorite films! I'm so happy to see someone reacting to it. It's so much fun seeing a first-timer get "conned" by the masterful twists and turns.

[@gggooding]

I'm gonna do a Cameo Count. (Let's see if anyone cares, Chris.) Lemme know, y'all: who'd I miss? The Shark Hunter - *Jaws* Mrs Peacock - *Clue* Pappy O'Daniel - *Oh Brother...* The Martian - *My Favorite Martian* That one guy - *The Golden Girls* The Russian scientist - *2010* (ahem) Robert Jones - Darth Vader's pop Willem DaFoe - *not* in this at all, in any way. Who else, folks?

[@CasualNerdReactions]

🤣 I’m so bad at recognizing people. Thanks for the William Defoe revelation.

[@gggooding]

@@CasualNerdReactions met DaFoe on the streets of NY once. "You're Willem DaFoe!" I said, stupidly. He smiled, looked scared, and then literally ran away from me. Fair play to the DaFoe.

[@robertc.1958]

@g g gooding: Thought you'd missed one. You didn't. "Mrs. Peacock" from 'Clue' ( 1985 film, based on the popular board game ) was played by the late, great, character actress Eileen Brennan. I actually saw ( SAW LIVE ) Brennan when she was in brilliant, NON- Emmy award winning ( although certainly SHOULD HAVE BEEN ) situation comedy series "Newhart" ( 1982 - 1990. ) In her second ( 2nd ) guest appearance in the series Brennan once again played "Corinne Denby," a high strung illustrator. This episode ( where I saw her ) was "The Little Match Girl" [ Season 7, Episode 16 ( 154th episode overall. ) ] I was in the studio audience when this episode was filmed.

[@missk8tie]

I love that look on Paul Newman's face when he says "You owe me 15 grand pal"!

[@DylansPen]

One of the great movies from Hollywood. A tour de force of actors, the screenplay won best screenplay at the Oscars. The soundtrack was superb, that song throughout is The Entertainer. I saw this movie three times when it was out in theaters way back as an older kid, my friends and I loved it. I also didn't figure out what all happened at the end with the FBI until later.

[@Daniel24724]

1973 was a great year : "The Sting", "The Exorcist", "Papillon", "My name is Nobody", "Soylent Green" (where the action takes place in 2022.😉 )....

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

Don't forget Paper Moon.

[@liduck52]

American Graffiti also , my favorite movie.

[@ChicagoDB]

Legendary cast…and music as well. “The Entertainer” was a tune that just about every high school band learned.

[@minnesotajones261]

I love that the Feds were introduced into the con because of the cop after Redford. That way he think's Hooker's dead, and Lonnigan thinks the Feds busted it up just because, and Shaw and Kelly died. PERFECT! Lonnigan was conned, and Hooker's cop was conned. And us too! I also had no clue the Feds were fake the first time watching this movie. The only bad thing about this movie is once you've seen it, you can't unsee it and watch it again with fresh eyes and get conned again! :o)

[@ronsavage6491]

I wonder how long it took Lt. Snyder to realize he'd also been conned.

[@seraiharper5553]

The really hilarious thing is this: the movie _tells you_ the cops are fake even before they arrive. Those chapter cards are doing way more than just giving you titles - they are dropping hints. Look again at the card that announces "The Tale". Does it show Hooker or Gondorff talking to Lonnegan? NO. It shows you a supposed "Fed" _talking to Snyder._ The "tale" is being told to the cop to get him to back off. The solution was right there in your face all along! This movie is genius, I swear. (FYI, it took me _years_ to see that clue.)

[@minnesotajones261]

@@seraiharper5553 They definitely don't make 'em like this anymore...

[@seraiharper5553]

@@minnesotajones261 I don't know about that. The Usual Suspects did a flabbergasting job of fooling the audience in just the same way The Sting does, only they did it in an even more complicated story. Memento is another film that messes with your mind and uses your expectations against you. The Sixth Sense did, as well, Each of them did it differently, but they're all puzzle-box films of complexity and intelligence. Not many films are like that, but "they" are definitely still making them.

[@jim8368]

I remember taking a date to see this movie when it came out, we both really enjoyed it. Robert Redford and Paul Newman had great chemistry together from an earlier film, 'Butch Casidy and the Sundance Kid' 1969, a western. Both were incredibly handsome leading men throughout the 60's-80's. Another George Roy Hill film (like 'The Sting') with Redford is 'The Great Waldo Pepper' 1975 set in the same era, 1930's with barnstorming pilots, all real flying, no fake CGI stuff. Also try another great western, 'Jeremiah Johnson' 1972 with Redford and beautiful Rocky Mountain scenes. Glad you're enjoying some great classics.

[@jimbrown868]

Great reaction, Chris. Now you know why I got an A on that paper in college. Robert Redford and Paul Newman made another movie together, "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid." I'm sure others will recommend you watch that. "The Sting" was their second movie together. I've got another recommendation for you as well. Check out "Silverado." It's a great western, and I'm sure you'll recognize some of the stars in that one. Great work editing this, Chris. You captured the essence of a great movie.

[@WolfStarbuck]

Oh yes, highly agree... Silverado is absolutely a must watch western :)

[@botz77]

Great movie. Newman and Redford are amazing together. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid is also a most see for any cinephile.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Listen, I am ashamed to say i’ve never really watched a western. At least not to my memory. I may consider that one since I have a bridge from a film I enjoyed.

[@leslauner5062]

@@CasualNerdReactions You won't regret it. Great film.

[@edwardsighamony]

@@CasualNerdReactions You need to check out at least a couple of westerns. It was the most popular genre for the first of the 20th century after all. Here's a list to choose from that you could put on one of your Patreon polls. Stagecoach (John Ford, 1939) The Ox-Bow Incident (William A. Wellman, 1943) Fort Apache (John Ford, 1948) Devil's Doorway (Anthony Mann, 1950) Winchester '73 (Anthony Mann, 1950) The Naked Spur (Anthony Mann, 1953) Seven Men from Now (Budd Boetticher, 1956) The Tall T (Budd Boetticher, 1957) Man of the West (Anthony Mann, 1958) Rio Bravo (Howard Hawks, 1959) Ride Lonesome (Budd Boetticher, 1959) Ride the High Country (Sam Peckinpah, 1962) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (John Ford, 1962) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Sergio Leone, 1966) - Spaghetti western Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone, 1968) - Spaghetti western The Wild Bunch (Sam Peckinpah, 1969) McCabe & Mrs. Miller (Robert Altman, 1971) Duck, You Sucker (Sergio Leone, 1972) - Spaghetti western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (Sam Peckinpah, 1973) My Name Is Nobody (Tonino Valerii, 1974) - Spaghetti western The Outlaw Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood, 1976) Dead Man (Jim Jarmusch, 1995) The Proposition (John Hillcoat, 2006) - Australian western The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Andrew Dominik, 2007)

[@catherinelw9365]

Ugh, I tried to rewatch Butch Cassidy and it hasn't aged well. It was as if they couldn't decide to make it a western or a comedy. And it was too much Redford and Newman acting like they were cowboys. Just didn't work for me upon a second viewing.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@edwardsighamony These are great western suggestions. What about High Noon? And I do like The Shootist.

[@kurtb8474]

There was, at first, some question as to whether or not the music would work with this movie. The time period in the movie is 20 or 30 years after the music was popular. But, it did work and it makes the movie great! Everything you see in this movie was painstakingly researched by the writer. He discovered this whole hidden world of con men, grifters and cheats, their plays and their language, etc. The great thing about this movie, as you found out, is that the theater audience was conned as well. The FBI angle was it.

[@seraiharper5553]

Marvin Hamlisch said he specifically chose this music even though nobody was playing it anymore at the time of the film because it expressed a jaunty confidence that the music of the time just didn't have. (Not surprising, there _was_ a Depression on.) You do get to hear actual 30's music, though, at one moment - when "The Glove" is sitting in his car, the music from his radio is exactly right for the period.)

[@podunkcitizen2562]

I saw this in the theater when I was a kid. One of the few times the audience applauded at the end. Another one was the original Rocky.

[@tamiw.166]

.Fifty years later, this movie still holds up. Brilliant writing (the scene where Newman fumbles the shuffle is my all-time favorite!). And what a supporting cast! So fun to watch it the "first time", again, with you!

[@chefskiss6179]

Is it possible that you're the first one doing a reaction vid to this gem?! Most likely. Great smile on your fave throughout. Can't say enough about how huge this flick was when it came out; it was kinda the godfather/star wars of its' year; taking everyone by surprise... nominations and wins galore. I even remember a tv commercial for paints that would spoof this movie.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I think I was the first! I am glad it has been received so positively. Hopefully more people will do it in the future so I can watch them haha.

[@Irish37]

I've loved this film since I was a kid. I never get tired of the reveal of the con at the end. 'The Sting' led to a re-examination of the music of Scott Joplin, who had been called a ragtime composer. 'Ragtime' implies a loose, improvisational style of music, the precursor to jazz. Music scholars analyzed his manuscripts and realized Joplin actually created brilliant, sophisticated compositions. He is now considered a composer of classical music.

[@stephanieellis5399]

What is so brilliant about this movie is how they also con the audience.

[@lancevaughn432]

When I was a teenager I worked in a movie theater we had The Sting, playing for about four months. The audience applauded all the time one Redford opens his eyes. Robert Shaw was great, a year and a half later “Jaws” came out.

[@billshine401]

This was the first movie that I think of the soundtrack as soon as I think of the movie. Great review. Newman and Redford also starred in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

[@dwaneanderson8039]

I'll recommend another underappreciated classic, "Little Big Man," starring Dustin Hoffman from 1970. It's a western, but it's not like any other western. I'm sure you would like it.

[@laurab68707]

This is such a great movie. I love it! And Newman and Redford, how can you go wrong! There is another move with Newman and Redford, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! Loosely based on the actual people. That is also a great movie with them together.

[@tia2d381]

When two of the most beautiful men sit up and smile at each other--Oh! Oh! Oh!

[@nadronnocojr]

I was 8 years old and in the well ( 70’s kid thing ) in the back seat of a 77 caddy and my dad had the 8 track to this , and I remember looking up at the power lines from the floor and hearing this music ad. How our trips where so much fun…….and the sharing many years later seeing the film with him coming full circle , a classic , slow burn , when all we had was time ……thanks for uploading this , great to see it getting some light. ……..oceans 11 is about as close as it gets for today’s cinema , and they don’t layer too much , a lot of audiences can’t handle the layers lol

[@marybethgoeggel4658]

Back in high school, I took a films class. Notes for the class were a page divided down the middle; left side was camera action (wipes/dissolves/close ups etc) and the right was the movie action. This was the first movie we watched, because of all the scene wipes and camera angles.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That’s really cool! I now need to go back and pay closer attention to those elements

[@ChicagoDB]

Timeless…few movies ever fooled viewers to the extent “The Sting” did…”The Usual Suspects” did as well.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Very interesting…. Yesterday I watched a film my patrons just so happened to vote as my first release in February…😁

[@jimglenn6972]

Wow wow! I’ve need suggesting this for 1 year plus and you finally won! I saw this in the theater when it came out and, like you, I was conned as well. This is a great period piece with excellent acting. Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Shaw from Jaws, and so many others. Fantastic! The music is out of date. It is called “Ragtime” and Scott Joplin was one of the greats. It dates from the 1910’s but the composer for the film really liked it and convinced them to make it a feature character. Marvin Hamlisch won many awards and inspired many young pianists along the way.

[@TTM9691]

Yup, Marvin Hamlisch won many awards....and Scott Joplin died penniless. There's some irony for ya!

[@anthonydandrea4376]

If I'm not mistaken...it actually was the "director" who insisted on Joplin. His son played him some Joplin tunes and George Roy Hill loved them even though the time period was different. He felt the "mood" was more important than the historical accuracy. Hamlisch concurred and a gold album was born! Sales went through the roof for the soundtrack.

[@kathyastrom1315]

OMG, I think you are the first YT reaction to this! The Sting was the first “grown-up movie” I saw in the theater, when I was 7 years old. My family went to the old movie palace in my hometown of Joliet, IL. When the movie began and the title card said it took place in Joliet, well, I had never heard a reaction like that before!! The place just erupted. The movie itself left me with a lifelong love of grifter stories, ragtime, and Robert Redford.

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

Have you seen Paper Moon?

[@kathyastrom1315]

@@bunpeishiratori5849 Years ago, maybe in the ‘80s? I remember finding it charming, but I preferred the interaction between Redford and Newman over the O’Neals. Then again, I was a teenage girl with a six-foot poster of Redford on the back of my bedroom door!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I think I am too! It's kind of fun being the first, but also scary because there's no real way to project how the reaction will do lol. I love when theaters erupt! I'd be excited if a film was in my home town too!

[@zh2184]

Very fun fact: The actor playing Luther Coleman is Robert Earl Jones. A Mississippi native, former sharecropper and prize fighter, Robert is the father of legendary actor James Earl Jones.

[@seraiharper5553]

Did you notice how, no matter how many times the movie fools you, no matter how many times it _tells you_ it's a con, you still didn't believe it? Right off the bat, it starts out by fooling you and it never stops. It's even in the title - not "Two Grifters" or "Hooker's Revenge", but "The Sting". (By the way, did you notice how at the climax of that first con, when the mark opened the cloth and found only tissue, how the music _literally laughs out loud?_ I think it's one of the best things in the film, and one of the best moments of musical congruence I've seen in movies.)

[@CasualNerdReactions]

You're absolutely right! I just never believe the movie is trying to fool me and that's all it does haha.

[@seraiharper5553]

@@CasualNerdReactions I love films that use the audience's expectations against them. Few things are as wonderful as that moment of shock when you realize how utterly you've been had! :D

[@GlamityJean]

this is my favourite movie, I remember my mother introducing me to it when I was young, it is sooo good to see other people reaction to it, especially the twist at the end

[@marybicanic3093]

I agree there are some slow moments in the film, but I felt they are there to allow for character development and audience investment. If you watch the movie a second time, you'll see details you missed at first viewing. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@backbaconnbeer]

The Sting had 10 Academy Awards nominations and won 7 ( won-director, picture,among others )' The music used is by Scott Joplin. The music is called Ragtime and was popular in the early 1900's and was a predecessor to Jazz. Almost nobody is who they seem ( he was NOT a real FBI agent just part of the con ).

[@MrZefklop]

This is such a great movie ! Redford and Newmann are just brilliant. FYI, the actor Dana Elcar who plays the FBI agent also plays Dimitri Moisevitch, at the beginning of 2010.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I enjoyed both their performances!

[@johnmaynardable]

The music is actually from the period the film is set in. Scott Joplin is the composer and this film made him famous to those of us who didn't know of him (like me). This was the 2nd pairing of Newman and Redford and was a huge film at the time.

[@artbagley1406]

Lieutenant Snyder's squeaky shoes are due to their rubber soles, the reason detectives and other lawmen were, at times, called "gum shoes." It's obvious you enjoyed the trip George Roy Hill took you on. "Butch Cassidy" and "The Sting" are the best two kind-of related movies outside of an official series. I love that Newman's character adopts the last name of one of the other stars: Robert SHAW as Doyle Lonnegan.

[@janabraam7963]

YOU just got stung! It was movie of the year 1973. I love watching it with someone who's never seen it before.

[@John57945]

Your patreon members RULE!!!! This is one of my fav movies of all time and the members who support these type of movies RULE!!!. Thank you for the review to top a great movie.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

Wow, haven't seen this movies in decades. Forgot what a great cast!

[@yutubetom]

So happy to see someone FINALLY react to one of my all time favorite movies! Love your enthusiasm, subscribed! Another great movie featuring Robert Shaw is "The Taking of Pelham 123". So fun to watch.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Thanks for watching welcome to the channel!

[@missd9785]

This movie is legendary. I'm so impressed ur patrons voted on this film. So many tv shows and movies copied The Sting formula including Rockford Files and Remington Steele. Was very enjoyable watching it again with you.

[@shainewhite2781]

Winner of 7 Oscars including Best Picture. It beat out The Exorcist, which was nominated for 10 but won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound Editing.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Wow! I didn’t realize it won so many. That’s incredible.

[@seraiharper5553]

@@CasualNerdReactions It was massively popular, one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Played for at least 9-10 months in the theaters, as I recall.

[@w9gb]

“I was conned”, Won Oscar for Best Picture !

[@barrywade3774]

Glad to find someone who made a reaction to this film, Finally! Thank you, glad you enjoyed this Classic!

[@taramills2289]

My grandma had the sheet music to this movie and I LOVED listening to her play it. I didn't see the film 'til years later. I concur with the numerous recommendations of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid and add a couple of other wonderful Redford films that'll keep you thinking and entertained. One is Sneakers with a fantastic ensemble cast, and the other is Three Days of the Condor. There are more, but I'll leave it to other viewers to suggest them.

[@bluecollarlit]

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in All The President's Men

[@terryv2006]

Thank you Thank you Thank you. I’ve been requesting this movie to various reactors for a year. I was 12 when my Mom took me to see this. I was completely entranced and it’s been a fav ever since. Your reaction was great and I’m glad you didn’t see the final surprise coming.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Yes!! Thanks so much for recommending it!

[@Serai3]

One great detail about this movie is that all the "professional" names of the conmen are real names. They were active in the 20's and 30's - Kid Twist, Limehouse Chappy, the Big Alabama were all real dudes, as was the slang the conmen used. This was the first film to dive into this world, and the first film to use the subject on its audience. I remember fondly all the outraged laughter when Hooker opened his eyes. The movie was a smash hit, and was the second pairing of Newman and Redford (the first being Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid).

[@josepharnita2748]

1st time i have seen this i went to the movies in 73. what memories. Thanks for showing

[@davidlightfoot348]

Great movie. It went un-noticed by the public, until it won 7 Academy Awards. Was re-released and became a big hit. This movie is just flat out fun. This is definitely "the quill".

[@anonymous19844]

CASUAL NERD REACTIONS: You start your reaction video for The Sting by asking, "What is this [piano] music?" It's called Ragtime. The main tune played throughout the movie was a tune called, "The Entertainer," written by a black pianist named Scott Joplin around 1891. The movie made the tune famous and Ragtime music semi-popular for a year or two until its popularity faded away.

[@ArtamStudio]

Wow, driving home last night I said to spouse "*No one* has reacted to 'The Sting' on YT" and voilá your thumbnail appears! Thank you for a fun ride. It's almost a miracle that the theater I originally saw it in my home town in still exists...

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Love the timing!

[@tommarks3726]

Brilliantly written. Keep you guessing the whole movie. I never get tired of watching this classic.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It really does!!

[@jerrykessler2478]

Watching this movie with you is a real blast from the past. Thank you. 😊

[@ronaldmilner8932]

The scene when "Hooker" (Robert Redford) runs out of the tavern and runs up the elevated train was filmed in Chicago on the South Side in my old neighborhood! I was a freshman in high school in 1972 and I saw this entire scene as it was filmed! Great reaction!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That would be so cool to watch live!

[@bfdidc6604]

Lonnegan planned revenge but was then eaten by a giant shark.

[@BuffaloC305]

Months later, the "what about twist endings?" issue brings me back to WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (1957) with Charles Laughton, wife Elsa Lanchester, Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power and the inimitable Una O'Connor.

[@markfeggeler3479]

Two words- Maltese Falcon. The star-making vehicle for Humphrey Bogart and John Huston. The introduction of Sydney Greenstreet. One of the greatest detective movie ever made and perhaps the best translation of a book to film ever.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It'll happen some day! I'd love to see that one.

[@tubularap]

Thanks for reacting to this underrated movie. I saw it back then in the theatre. Recently I bought a 2nd hand DVD and watched it again. Yes, we saw the setup preparations, and still we were left in the dark about the final ending.

[@firekrys]

I only was familiar with the opening song, The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, as it was a piece I played on the piano as a child. Total underrated movie.

[@jorhanson8583]

Glad somebody finally reacted to The Sting. It's on my top 10 list of recommended movies. Another one on my list - To Kill A Mockingbird

[@J_Rossi]

"The name's Lonegan. Doyle Lonnegan! You're gonna remember that, Mr. Shaw, or your gonna get yourself another game. You follow?" - I remember hearing Paul Newman saw in an interview that Robert Shaw was so intense at that moment he was really scared of him and not sure what would happen next.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That’s a performance worth remembering! 👏

[@ellen6638]

Interesting fact Lonnegan never knew Kelly and Hooker were the same person.

[@charlest.velten6983]

So many you tube reactors neglect to check out this masterpiece of filmaking !

[@EricAKATheBelgianGuy]

I never knew this until today: George Roy Hill is the first director in history to have two films reach $100 million in box office - The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

[@ronsavage6491]

Eileen Brennan had a long career. You can see her in The Last Picture Show, Murder by Death, The Cheap Detective (Don't watch this one till you've finished your Bogart Film Noirs), Private Benjamin, and Clue. She played Jack's acting coach on Will & Grace.

[@chetstevens4583]

Great pick! This is a movie classic from two of the great actors of the 70s. They teamed up again in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid which is certainly worth a view.

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

You are the first reactor to watch and review this amazing movie

[@barkingmonkee]

Thank you for reacting to this film! I'm a sucker for heist/con films and this is the Granddady of them all.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Definitely enjoy heist films! This did take the cake as far as bringing me into the plan and still surprising the heck outta me.

[@ciscotheinkboi]

I was introduced to this movie from the various Jaws documentaries I've seen and from the fact that it stars Robert Shaw who played Quint. I hear some of Quint in him when his character Lonnegan gets aggressive.

[@thomasgriffiths6758]

JJ is Mr. Hand from Fast Times at Ridgemont High also the cop here played a cop in Dog Day Afternoon. Ray Walston and Charles Durning

[@Jason-wh3mq]

You REALLY need to follow this up with the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! Newman and Redford team up again, and it's amazing!

[@custardflan]

The supporting cast is so awesome. -- Funny that Newman's name at the poker table is Shaw, playing against Robert Shaw playing Longergen. --

[@cjpreach]

I still love this flick after seeing it so many times.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It is enjoyable!!

[@josepha5885]

The Sting and The Exorcist faced off against each other at the 1974 Academy Awards. Each had 10 Oscar nominations, including best picture. The Sting won

[@zvimur]

Apart from a sequel, there was a BBC series "Hustle", inspired by "The Sting". Recommend.

[@alanmackie7012]

The first episode was practically a Sting rip-off.

[@JeffersonMills]

Great reaction as usual! I’m honestly surprised you had never heard of it. I was eight when this came out, and I remember vividly what a cultural phenomenon it was. It sparked a national revival of interest in the ragtime musical genre (a precursor of jazz) and particularly composer Scott Joplin. It was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. You should also check out Redford and Newman’s earlier team-up, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

[@robertrouse4503]

What do you know. This won 7 Oscar's, including best picture and director. The music was by Marvin Hamlish based on music created by Scott Joplin's Ragtime.

[@johnspringer6003]

Kudos to you for stepping outside the lines that other reactions are staying between. Been waiting for someone to react to this multi Oscar winner!!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

So glad I did! This isn't a film I'd have ever picked on my own, so I completely owe my patrons for suggesting and voting it through.

[@rleutz13]

a who's who of charcter actors, and one of the most brilliant scripts of all time. I love the poker scene, Newman and Shaw really know how to build the comedic tension and a masterclass in acting.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Other GREAT films: Robert Redford: 3 Days Of The Condor, All The President's Men, The Natural Paul Newman: The Verdict, Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler Together: Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid Thanks for reacting to The Sting... wonderful film... and I love your reactions and commentary! Cheers!

[@evelynne2846]

Glad you watched this very entertaining movie. Great to see Paul Newman and Robert Redford together again. Lonigan's half million shared between all involved would still go a long way in the 20s. Thank you!!

[@christopheryochum3602]

You have a lot of smart Patreons, in coming up with this film. It's absolutely correct that this film is under the radar. And that's not to say anything about the film because it's one of the best movies i've ever seen. I saw it in a theater, but today's reactors seem to do the same ones over and over. And I'm not aware anyone has done this one, so kudos! Can't wait to watch.

[@justinplayfair4638]

What a great way for to be introduced to great character actors like Charles Durning! They don't make 'em like him anymore!

[@kathyastrom1315]

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out his Emmy nominated performance in NCIS’s episode “Call of Silence.” He plays a Medal of Honor recipient who suffers from delayed PTSD after his wife dies, and he’ll break your heart.

[@justinplayfair4638]

@@kathyastrom1315 I'll look for it, thanks! If you can find it, look for him in Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, starring Maureen Stapleton. He gets to be the male romantic lead in it and he's wonderful!

[@kathyastrom1315]

@@justinplayfair4638 My 80-year old dad only watches History Channel or Smithsonian Channel tv shows, and the only scripted shows he’ll watch are ones like Band of Brothers. I sat him down and showed him that NCIS ep, and he was weeping at the end, and he never cries at films or tv!

[@suebob16]

Two more delightful performances by Charles Durning -- the remake of To Be Or Not To Be with Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft, and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas with Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. Durning received Best Supporting Actor nominations for both films. In the second film (a musical) he actually has his own solo song and dance number.

[@marleybob3157]

One of my favorite movies. I have it as #12 on my all-time favorite movies list. I never understood why Redford and Newman never made another movie after they did "The Sting" and "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid". They were magic together.

[@TTM9691]

That's a good question! Probably just not the right project. Redford did get another great co-star in one of his next (and one of his best) movies: "All The President's Men" with Dustin Hoffman.

[@dnish6673]

They planned to do one more. A Walk In The Woods based on the Bryson book about the Appalachian Trail. But Newman died.

[@yes350yes]

I was so glad to see that you reacted to this classic which Ive not seen anyone else respond to. I remember going to see this movie when it first came out. Back then there werent many theaters around like now and the lines were long and they played the theme song to this while patrons filled in the theater. Its one of my all-time favs. Also of note as you hinted at it was inspired by a real life con team of brothers Fred and Charlie Gondorff. Also this movie won 7 academy awards out of 10. Best Picture and Director , plus Redford nominated best actor but didnt win.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

27:44 Ah, I suddenly have a wave of nostalgia for a simpler time, when you could have a diner named "Eat."

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It’s a great name. Really gets to the point.

[@raymondmoore5476]

"Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid" is another Newman/Redford movie you should check out. You WON'T regret it!