The Sting - What To Watch Before You Die

The Sting was a reunion of a trio that made “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” the phenomenon that it was: Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and director George Roy Hill. This movie is about a couple of con men teaming up to take down a criminal banker. Aside from the top-billed pedigree, The Sting boasts an incredible commitment to the style of its 1930s setting, featuring a soundtrack full of Scott Jopin tunes, and it even uses the 1930s Universal Pictures logo in the opening, rather than the then-current 1973 version. Cool!

If you’re a fan of gangster flicks, then you’ll appreciate The Sting’s cinematographic style; if not, you’ll simply appreciate seeing some masters of film at work. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

Have you seen The Sting? Or are you more familiar with Redford, Newman, and Hill from their work on “Butch Cassidy?” Do you like gangster and crime movies? How do you think the Sting measures up? Do you have a favorite Robert Redford or Paul Newman film? What other movies would you like to see Mackenzie talk about on the show?

We want to hear from you - Let us know in the comments below!

Here on What to Watch Before You Die, we’re bringing you the full scoop on one great movie a week, letting you know what movies you need to see in your lifetime. If you think there’s one (or more) movies that should be on our must-see list, follow Mackenzie on Instagram, and let her know what you’d like to see with using the hashtag #W2WBUD.

It’s hard work, keeping up with all the great movies that are on everyone’s must-see lists. You know there are dozens (or hundreds) of flicks that might be considered “best of all time” by someone.

CineFix is here to help you out! We’ll be breaking down the classics old and new, letting you know what’s really essential and why. We’ll cover the great genre movies, the films that shaped a generation, and the movies that changed the face of the entertainment industry. As well as movies that are just plain awesome.

[Paul_Waller]

The Sting - One of my family's all time favorites. I'm just glad people have not forgotten about this classic.

[nomatchesformikey]

These reviews are great! But, no mention of Robert Shaw? Honestly, as much as I love this movie, with no pieces missing to make it a classic, Shaw is the reason I come back to it each time. Newman is a very close second though. Any chance you'll do a video on Jaws?

[richardgallon]

One of my top 10 favourite films of all time, knocking off Butch Cassidy which was in there before I saw this. I make sure my film-lover friends watch it, even if they're sceptical of a 40+-year-old film. But of the 6 I've shown it to, 4 have bought the blu-ray which is a testament to the film as they are all hardcore into streaming. So a resounding thumbs up from me for this week's choice guys!

[bighuge]

In 2018, The Sting, the musical, debuted at the Paper Mill Playhouse in NJ with hopes of finding itself on Broadway. I was lucky enough to catch this show and I was beginning to end smiles throughout. If the rest of the run were not sold out, I would have bought another ticket to see it again no matter what the cost. In every person's life, they have "special" movies. The Sting and Young Frankenstein were mine. They were the only movies I saw alone with my father without my siblings or mother; true guys nights out. And luckily both movies were excellent. Dad's been dead a year and a half now and I can't see "The Sting" without remembering the two of us at the theater several towns away (as in the 70s, our area was the definition of "the sticks").

[gabrieldjatienza]

The main reason this movie beat The Exorcist for best picture? Its clever plot and upbeat ending .

[adamsevilla]

A great movie with two Hollywood legends, Paul Newman and Robert Redford made this an unforgetable movie with its great script, directing, music, humor, and acting. One of the best films ever made

[voracious.Reader]

I don't really consider this a gangster movie. That's not where the emphasis is. This is a heist movie. It's a con. It's so well done, all the reveals at the end just blow your mind.

[therollingbeatles]

I've already seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid now I want to see the Sting it looks pretty damn good!!!

[ellenfagan]

Beautiful account of a masterful movie. It's my personal favorite. Many thanks!!

[SusanSloate]

One of my favorite movies of all time, by far. Praying they never remake it; how could they make it more perfect? As a bonus, I had a friend who appears in one scene of the movie and even has some dialogue. He died, way too young, in 1984. I sometimes turn it on again just to see him...

[jowens]

I watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid a few years ago and it's become one of my favorite movies. This movie has been on probably on my watch list for just as long. I'll watch it immediately so I don't have to be ashamed of myself any longer. 

[jeffreywayne]

My favorite film of all time. I saw it as a boy and loved it. Perfectly cast in every role and a fabulous screenplay. The only regret is that it has to end. 👍

[jordanrazowskymusician]

My all time favorite movie. Must've watched it 2 dozen times throughout my lifespan. Including when if first came out. Must see indeed!

[awvalenti]

Bought the DVD and just watched it, nice movie! I came to it because I'm a Scott Joplin fan. Whenever you read about him, this movie is ALWAYS cited as the thing that made Scott Joplin famous in the last decades. I would probably have never heard his music if it wasn't for this movie! Thank you, The Sting! BTW, "overall lighthearted feeling to the movie" is an awesome explanation of why this soundtrack was used... It makes total sense!

[ToiletClogger]

you guys need to do a What to Watch on LEGEND ! Tim Curry as Darkness makes me all tingly inside

[BottleConcreteBlond]

I haven't seen this in a long time.  This made me want to see it again.

[LucoLuchi]

McKenzie... and Great movie... with best villain EVER (Robert Shaw). One suggestion for the next video: "Ugetsu Monogatari" (from the Master Kenji Mizoguchi). Lately, there has been too many american movies in WTWBD.

[danielchipman]

I just love this movie. Definitely in my all-time top-five.

[batmanbeyond]

I love this movie. One of the greatest ever made. I don't know if they could ever remake it. If they did, why not put Brad Pit in it? Pit reminds me so much of Redford.

[DiGiTMerC]

It's a great movie indeed....rip Paul. Was a great actor