This was a great scene in the movie, and one of the many times that George Roy Hill faked out the audience. We didn't know that Agent Polk was part of the con at this point. We thought he really was an FBI agent, and Hooker really was making a deal with him. We don't find out until the final scene that it was all done to set up Snyder (Charles Durning) to make sure he buys into the con and separates Lonnegan from his money after the "shootout" between Newman and Redford, which we also thought was "real". I saw this in the theater in 1973 and once we, the audience, realized we too had been conned, it was sublime. The reaction in the theater was priceless.
Indeed, temporarily making the audience believe that Hooker would turn against Gondorff was the ultimate sting. The story boards followed by the revelations of plans made us think we were being let in on everything. We weren't. There was an almost invisible clue earlier in the movie which proves Hooker would have known that the FBI agent was fake and was actually a fellow member of Gondorff's group of con men. That was the first time that Lonnegan visited the wire room. After he left, the group laughed and applauded. That included Hickey aka Agent Polk seen for only two seconds standing alone to the left rear. David Ward spent a year writing the clever screenplay and rightly deserved his Oscar.
@@CurtRenz What? Hickey is in another scene. I have seen this movie about 15 times and every time I do, I catch something new. I can't wait to review this.
The amount of time Redford takes to take in what was said, turn, and sit in that chair - that's great acting. It's because of that moment that the audience fully believes he's talking to the real FBI, which sets up the entire magnificent finale that fools everyone (I showed it to a class - every student was fooled). Start to finish, a masterpiece, every single actor that's in it is great, from the smallest roles to the largest. I wish we had films like this today, but they don't know how to do this anymore, the direction, cinematography, music, humor, and, most of all, the humanity behind all of it - and you don't have leading men like Newman and Redford either. "The Sting" deserved every award it won and it was great that Redford was nominated for Best Actor in it as well. This scene shows why.
That is one of my favorite subtle parts of this scene. I love how, for a moment, Redford tense up, as if he is thinking about running or perhaps fighting his way out of the situation. Then Charles Durning takes his hand out of his pocket to answer Redford's move. When Redford finally slumps into the chair, Durning hand goes back into the pocket. Brilliant piece of acting that doesn't use a single word.
The problem with this scene is, its entire purpose is solely for fooling the audience, which makes no sense for them to actually do. They wouldn't do this as part of the "con" because no one is there that isn't "in on it".
Love the radio operator in the background. He's fiddling with switches and knobs and tubes, as if that thing I'd critical to the entire operation. Meanwhile he probably hoping that Charles Durnings character doesn't ask him to contact anyone.
What sold this movie was the subtle but deliberate little glancing by the con artists to the VIEWER.....thats why we all bought it....extreamly clever directing
Yup, Elcar as Agent Polk was *part of the con*, to set up Snyder (Durning), though we the audience didn't know it at the time. Brilliant move on George Roy Hill's part.
Happy Birthday Charles Durning! I miss you! You were such a good actor! You could do more with a look than most actors today can do with their whole bodies.
This is the key scene which tricks the audience so brilliantly, though it is possible to 'get' it because of Gondorf's brief earlier remark about dealing with the Snyder problem. But I didn't.
There is one scene from the gambling hall where you see Special Agent Polk in line to make a bet. A little strange that Lonegan missed it, as he was there as well
I always loved Charles Durning in that role. Thought he played that part perfectly. You can just see him having been on the streets for his whole career. Not one wrong note in his performance.
It's a good film and a bit of fun. I particularly like the poker game on the train. I know it's make believe but it has absolutely zero plausibility. In reality all those con artists conning the equivalent of Al Capone out of half a million and he's going to leave it at that and walk away??!! What 40+ people in on the con and ALL will keep their mouths permanently shut about it?? One of the many players has a few too drinks in a bar and wham. They'd all be dead within the month. To be fair, I like Bond films, they're totally implausible as well, pure escapism. But the whole premise of The Sting is based on a successful con and most importantly - getting away with it. The getting away with it part is simply impossible with that many players given the access to street talk not to mention the local cops that a Mr Big has.
that's Charles Durning as the 2nd Lieutenant right? wow.....so weird to see him 'so young' here ( or maybe 40-ish' or so....) what a stud. so many great roles. one of his best, "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". some 25 years later than this..... R.I.P Mr. Durning. you amongst many others from this Generation, a literal "Hero". yes, he served. look that up......
Durning was the villain in the orginal Muppets movie, the father in Tootsie and he played the priest in Everybody loves Raymond. A true character actor
What a Great Movie! Happened to have been a Great Time in My Life as Well!! Both Movies made with Paul Newman and Robert Redford were Excellent Movies. I’m Truly Glad that somehow they ( and everyone else connected to those movies ) saw the Greatness in them and never tried to make follow ups to them!!! They are So Good that They’ve Stood the Test of Time --And Always Will.!!!!
I gave his son, Jamie, and grandson golf lessons in Marin. Jamie, if you can believe it, was better looking than his dad. The first time i met him blew me away. He was a very nice person, treated me well. RIP
I love the scene where Hooker is being chased by the detective. Redford ran so fast there and it was really him, not a stuntman. It's too bad that scene isn't included here.
Charles Durning was nominated for the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his brief role as the Texas governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
The pacing in this scene would NEVER be done today, even with a music score (this scene had none and virtually no ambient effects either). Director and studio would be WAY too fearful of the pathetic 10 millisecond attention span of the social media generation.
Movies are nothing like this today. Its all just "Short attention span theater " now Editors manufacture the scenes today. Back then the director let the actors make the scenes.
Not just this scene, but the whole movie. George Roy Hill developed the story like smoking a good piece of brisket. He took his time. Then he served it all up on a plate at the end, and it was delicious! Well worth the wait.
Tarantino is one of the few who dare extended shots, showing nothing but actors doing interactive dialogue and expression. He respects his audience in that aspect, crediting them with the ability to think & follow real acting & not just slick editing effects.
You going to paint this door? What door? This on behind me,,, you got to be crazy. Virginia. Not me. Fellow..what color? Pink. The header? Yes. Yes ceiling, YES. All of it.
Lt. Snyder is not on the team so they are trying to fool him as Snyder would be the one to pull Lonnegan out of Gondorff's fake betting parlor at the end.
