‘The Sting’

Multiple Oscar-winning feature (including best film) from 1974, The Sting is a light, witty crime drama where character development is almost as important as plot lines (but hardly surprising considering director George Roy Hill secured Paul Newman and Robert Redford as leads).

Two bit conman Johnny Hooker (Redford) joins forces with fellow-grifter Henry Gondorff (Newman) to swindle crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Gondorff is in it for the money, Redford revenge for the killing of partner and friend, Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones). A fabulously complicated long-con scheme evolves incorporating any number of other con artists as Lonnegan and corrupt local Chicago police are targeted.

The stakes are high in Hill’s enjoyable 1930s-set caper with Newman and Redford oozing charm, making it (according to critics) one of the most popular Oscar-winning films of all-time.

Rating: 72%

Director: George Roy Hill (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Slap Shot)

Writer: David S. Ward (Sleepless in Seattle, Steelyard Blues)

Main cast: Robert Redford (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, The Natural), Paul Newman (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Hud), Robert Shaw (Jaws, A Man For All Seasons)

‘Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid’

Based loosely on a true story, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) heads a group of outlaws – the Hole-in-the-Wall-Gang – in early 1900s Wyoming. But the boys rob one train too many – with Union Pacific railroad boss, EH Harriman, paying a posse to remain on their trail until Butch and marksman Sundance (Robert Redford) are both killed. The two avoid capture but, recognising their days are numbered if they stay, head to Bolivia with Sundance’s girlfriend, Etta Place (Katharine Ross) to seek their fortunes.

Directed by George Roy Hill, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, with the iconic song Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head and its pairing of Newman and Redford, has gone down in the annals of Hollywood history. Yet it’s not very good! The chemistry between the two leads carry what is a lighweight adventure yarn that develops into a slow, ponderous narrative. It looks good (cinematographer Conrad L. Hall) but with an almost slapstick, vaudevillian period in South America, the film just trails off into disinterest.

Nominated for 7 Oscars in 1970 including best film, director, sound – won 4 for original screenplay, cinematography, soundtrack, song.

Rating: 50%

Director: George Roy Hill (The Sting, Thoroughly Modern Millie)

Writer: William Goldman (All the President’s Men, The Princess Bride)

Main cast: Paul Newman (Hud, Cat of a Hot Tin Roof), Robert Redford (The Sting, The Natural), Katharine Ross (The Graduate, The Stepford Wives)