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Quiz Show Reviews

1994

70
from 3806 members

It's 1958, and the producers of the quiz show 21 have a problem. Their current champ, Herbert Stempel (John Turturro), has a phenomenal memory and a broad range of knowledge. He's also a pudgy loudmouth with a grating personality, so Herbert is encouraged to take a dive and allow Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), a handsome .. Read more

Starring	Ralph Fiennes, Paul Scofield, Rob Morrow, John Turturro
Director	Robert Redford
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of Quiz Show
View all critics' reviews (6)
- A smart and gripping drama of media corruption, based on fact and revealing inequities of class and culture that retain their power today.
- 29847
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Quiz Show
View all members' reviews (17)
- - 10
  - 0
  Quiz Show Cheater
  
  This is a very odd subject for a film. It is a true story based on the 1950's scandal of NBC's quiz show rigging.
  
  In the early days of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 19047
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - David Hamer
  - Blackburn, Lancs
  - 21 Sep 2004 at 11:57
Most recent members' reviews of Quiz Show
View all members' reviews (17)
- - 0
  - 0
  Brillantly acted
  
  The background of this story was wholly new to me but the idea of a real life rigged quizzed show is hardly amazing. What this film has making it a worthwhile ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 922037
- - brokenking
  - 221 reviews
  - Bristol
  - 09 Sep 2010 at 13:43
- - 0
  - 0
  If TV ruled the world
  
  Apparently historical drama about cheating in a quiz. That's the pretext for looking at the social complexities of US corporate life in the post-war years... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 759005
- - a customer
  - England
  - 17 May 2009 at 22:44
- - 0
  - 0
  good
  
  Enjoyed it and thought the story line was interesting - especially as it was a true story
  
  Report this review
- 738304
- - a customer
  - Ludlow
  - 05 Apr 2009 at 18:22
- - 0
  - 0
  Quiz Show
  
  Interesting film, with many layers of meaning. Ralph Fiennes plays his part with great subty, showing a man living in the shadow of his distinguished father. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 671841
- - a customer
  - London
  - 11 Dec 2008 at 23:31
- - 0
  - 0
  quiz show
  
  dont bother did not enjoy this film at all. only rent if you bored or need something to help you sleep.
  
  Report this review
- 670812
- - a customer
  - Pontypool
  - 09 Dec 2008 at 19:48
- - 0
  - 0
  Quirky and prescient
  
  This film has been a bit of a sleeper, but recent viewing confirm it as a prescient analysis of the sickness at the heart of a certain approach to TV that has ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 644162
- - Timbolatura
  - 11 reviews
  - Keighley
  - 14 Oct 2008 at 23:54
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  Rented on the basis of outstanding reviews seen here & elsewhere.
  
  Personally I found the film unsatisfying. The outcome was of course largely ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 578992
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
- - 0
  - 0
  insightful and profound
  
  sounds dull but was great. a solid sunday matinee piece with great turns from tuturro and fienes.
  
  Report this review
- 572076
- - a customer
  - Holywell
  - 03 Jun 2008 at 18:35
- - 0
  - 0
  Not really fussed
  
  Wasn't really fused about this film. The story and acting were ok, but it just didn't grip me. Didn't realise that it was a true story - that ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 543748
- - fimfc
  - 31 reviews
  - Motherwell, Scotland
  - 23 Mar 2008 at 17:18
- - 0
  - 0
  A good entertaining tale
  
  A tale of realistic characters taking part in a famous US quiz show. No surprises regarding US TVs corruption and pandering to the sponsors of shos. The ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 498249
- - Treetops
  - 23 reviews
  - Wirral
  - 25 Nov 2007 at 15:10
View all members' reviews (17)

- - 10
  - 0
  Quiz Show Cheater
  
  This is a very odd subject for a film. It is a true story based on the 1950's scandal of NBC's quiz show rigging.
  
  In the early days of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 19047
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - David Hamer
  - Blackburn, Lancs
  - 21 Sep 2004 at 11:57
- - 1
  - 0
  Predictable, not very interesting
  
  Couldn't fault the acting, the storyline - just didn't find it all that interesting. Shows how cheating for money can ultimately cost you far more. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 219322
- - a customer
  - Manchester
  - 15 Mar 2006 at 15:39
- - 1
  - 0
  Interesting and absrbing
  
  A good film, about quite a strange subject matter. The film centres around the rigging of a 1950's Quiz Show in order to get more ratings and therefore ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 251483
- - Van Dytor
  - England
  - 05 Jun 2006 at 00:01
- - 3
  - 3
  Drama Mockumentary/
  
  This clearly will mean much to anyone living in the US at the time (in the lte 50's). For UK viewers, it has none of the same nostalgia feel. I wasn't ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 72244
- - Raymond Okonski
  - Scotland
  - 13 Feb 2005 at 22:14
- - 0
  - 0
  fascinating if a little slow
  
  Slow to get going then develops into a fascinating morality tale, as well as an interesting recreation of 50's America. Plenty of dialogue, plot and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 214490
- - a customer
  - Surrey, England
  - 05 Mar 2006 at 09:55
- - 0
  - 0
  Excellent drama
  
  This is an engaging drama.
  
  It leaves you with real sympathy for the people involved.
  
  It suggests that Van Doren just wants to be as ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 339269
- - flip4film
  - South Glos
  - 28 Jun 2005 at 17:56
- - 0
  - 0
  A Modern Morality Tale
  
  Absolutely brilliant dissection of the corrupting influence of so-called 'reality' television, all in the name of 'entertainment'. And its not ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 415116
- - a customer
  - Scottish Borders
  - 26 Feb 2007 at 00:00
- - 0
  - 0
  A good entertaining tale
  
  A tale of realistic characters taking part in a famous US quiz show. No surprises regarding US TVs corruption and pandering to the sponsors of shos. The ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 498249
- - Treetops
  - 23 reviews
  - Wirral
  - 25 Nov 2007 at 15:10
- - 0
  - 0
  Not really fussed
  
  Wasn't really fused about this film. The story and acting were ok, but it just didn't grip me. Didn't realise that it was a true story - that ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 543748
- - fimfc
  - 31 reviews
  - Motherwell, Scotland
  - 23 Mar 2008 at 17:18
- - 0
  - 0
  insightful and profound
  
  sounds dull but was great. a solid sunday matinee piece with great turns from tuturro and fienes.
  
  Report this review
- 572076
- - a customer
  - Holywell
  - 03 Jun 2008 at 18:35

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Critics' reviews
- A smart and gripping drama of media corruption, based on fact and revealing inequities of class and culture that retain their power today.
- 29847
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
- "...Directed with quietly dazzling acuity by [Redford]....A rich, handsome articulate film about a subject truly worth talking about..."
- 7020
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- In America in the '50s, TV quiz shows were watched by more than half the viewing public. When handsome Ivy League... read more on Time Out
- 42935
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:13
- "...Directed with probing intelligence and slashing wit....Fiennes gives a brilliant performance..."
- 7022
- - Rolling Stone
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...A nuanced and thoroughly gripping fable..." - Recommended
- 7021
- - Premiere
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...Razor sharp..." -- Rating: A
- 7019
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

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- Quiz Show
  
  It's 1958, and the producers of the quiz show 21 have a problem. Their current champ, Herbert Stempel (John Turturro), has a phenomenal memory and a broad range of knowledge. He's also a pudgy loudmouth with a grating personality, so Herbert is encouraged to take a dive and allow Charles Van Doren (...