According to film historian David P. Hayes, THE STING was filmed in 4:3 (equivalent to "full-screen") ratio because director George Roy Hill wanted it to look like an old movie. The studio (and/or the exhibitors) apparently had second thoughts about it, though, so theatrically-released prints had the top and bottom sections blocked ("matted") to fit the widescreen format.

What you see on this DVD is not "pan and scan" (with missing left and right content), but the original format with the top and bottom restored.

(...)


WHY NOT GET THE FACTS BEFORE COMPLAINING???   December 16, 2004
J. Caruso (Chicago, IL)
64 out of 71 found this review helpful

I just bought this DVD for my father because this movie IS a classic, no matter what anyone says. But, when it came in the mail, I was surprised to see "Full Screen" on the front of the box. So I did what many of you did NOT do (with the exception of reviewer cammonro dated Sept 2, 2003), I went to the Universal web site and emailed their Home Entertainment division.

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment:

'The Sting' is only available on DVD in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which in this case displays the same picture information side-to-side as was seen theatrically. Also, more information is shown top-to-bottom than in the theatrical version because of the way the film was originally shot.

One process used in creating movies for theatrical exhibition is to place 'mattes' over the top and bottom of the 35 mm film frame to alter the aspect ratio to 1.85:1 'Widescreen.' To avoid black letterboxing bars on the top and bottom of the picture when it is displayed on standard television, the original mattes are removed in a process known as 'Open Matte.' (This is not to be confused with 'Pan & Scan,' a completely different process of transferring film to Video and DVD.) 'Open Matte' was used with in the production of 'The Sting.'

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. For all of you complaining about how this DVD is PAN-AND-SCAN, you are WRONG. And for all of you still waiting for WIDESCREEN, you ALREADY HAVE IT with this DVD if you understand what Universal is saying above; you are actually seeing MORE than what you'd see in the theater version because of the "Open Matte" process Universal used, NOT pan-and-scan.

If anyone begs to differ with these facts, argue with the source, Universal.


LOTS OF "FUNNY MONEY"   March 4, 2005
Scamp Lumm (Perseus-Pisces cluster, ~100Mpc)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

What a great movie. The action in this movie seems real even though the money eluding the Chicago mobster Lonegan is fake. And there's a lot of action in this movie, so much so, that I was glad my mother was around to translate these 1930's grifters'/con artists' street talk. (My parents saw this movie in the theatre when it first came out in 1973). I don't remember much or any cursing. As another reviewer noted, what little adult material there is in this movie is mild by today's standards; the story line would keep your attention regardless. Times were tough in those depression years, my mom commenting that there was a lot of crime going on then. But Lonegan (Robert Shaw) is a straight-laced mobster, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't chase women. His only weakness is gambling, especially betting on horses. Doesn't sound so bad, yet he hates to lose, and when he loses big money, he kills. His chief sins are unseen, except by those grifters, like Redford and Newman, who dare to interrupt his extortion racket. This movie won a lot of oscars in 1973, and is ranked by AFI as one of the top 400 films. Redford and Newman are so much fun to watch acting together. The last scene fooled me. Although no actors won any oscars for this film, the movie won Best Picture, Best Director among other awards. I can't really comment on the film quality of the dvd, since I saw it on a cable station. I defer to those reviewers who argue that the director wanted to film the movie the old fashioned way which accounts for the transfer problems/complaints. I just love a good story, this one's a keeper.


I loved the music.   February 12, 2008
Gunner (Bethlehem,Georgia)
21 out of 24 found this review helpful

The Sting DVD

Paul Newman and Robert Redford stars as two Depression-era Con Men out to rip off a big-time criminal (Robert Shaw) in this Best Picture Oscar Winner.

I love the music. Who ever wrote it should have won something.

Recommended for fans of Paul Newman and Robert Redford

Gunner February, 2008




WARNING - THIS DVD IS NOT LETERBOXED   November 22, 2002
K. E. Kroeger (St. Louis, MO USA)
206 out of 263 found this review helpful

This is a great film. Anyone looking for a review of the actual film may look in any number of places and find that everyone agrees that it is outstanding.

HOWEVER, I failed to read the complete description for the DVD, foolishly assuming that the film would be presented in the appropriate widescreen format. I was shocked and appalled to receive the DVD and find that it was the pan 'n' scan version. This is entirely unacceptable. I returned the DVD and will wait for a letterboxed version.

Do not make the same mistake I made. If you have any interest in seeing this film as it was originally intended, and not "modified to fit your screen," do not purchase this DVD.