Will grip you and fascinate you easily

Rating: 7/10 (8 February 2008)

Redford's fourth film as director once again shows his prodigious talent for turning the ordinary into excellent entertainment. Following on from "Ordinary People", "The Milagro Beanfield War" and "A River Runs Through It" is "Quiz Show", which uncovers the startling corruption that was apparently rife in 50's and 60's television when game show producers would rig their programs by supplying the answers to the contestant they felt the audience wanted to win.
Redford demonstrates amazing control and really knows how to tell a fascinating story. He imbues the entire movie with powerful dramatic scenes that blend to make a marked impact. "Quiz Show" may not present an outrageously shocking topic, yet Mr. Redford is able to turn it into an amazing and engrossing tale which demands your full attention.
A truly superlative cast is headed up by Rob Morrow, who makes a strong impression as Richard Goodwin, the Congressional committee investigator upon whose book the film is based. John Turturro ("Miller's Crossing") is again outstanding as Herb Stempel, the average Joe who rockets to international fame via "21", and Ralph Fiennes backs up his incredible performance as Amon Goeth in "Schindler's List" with another all round showing as the troubled new "21" champ Charles Van Doren. Veteran British actor Paul Scofield is also quite impressive as Van Doren's father in an Oscar nominated supporting role.
Art Directors, Set Decorators and Costume Designers have all recreated the 1950's splendidly while writer Paul Attanasio takes us right back to the emotion and feeling of New York in that period.
Redford establishes his grip early and never releases it, ensuring the viewer is fully entertained for the duration by what is a marvellous film which notably gained four Oscar nominations, including best film, director and adapted screenplay.
Sunday, March 12, 1995 - Qantas Airways Flight
"Quiz Show" thoroughly deserved the Oscar nominations it garnered for 1994, if only for pure class. Top direction from Robert Redford, who turns an otherwise uninteresting topic into a riveting film, concerning the conspiracy that ruined the "Quiz Show" known as '21'. Redford shows real expertise as he controls every scene whilst adding a touch of style to the whole production. What a shame this is only his fourth film in some fourteen years.
Technical credits are also outstanding, including Mark Isham's score, production design, costumes, sets and art. Every aspect recreates the late fifties with unerring excellence. Editing is astute and cinematography elaborate.
Paul Attanasio does a top job with the script, giving it dramatic power, importance and some biting humour. Cast is fantastic, including Rob Morrow, who gobbles up the lead role as the investigator from the Committee for Legislative Oversight who first smells a rat in the game show's proceedings. Ralph Fiennes follows his knockout showing in "Schindler's List" with another fine turn as Charles Van Doren, the new '21' champ who compromises his beliefs for fame and fortune. In support of these two is a strong back up cast including Paul Scofield, notable as Van Doren's respected professor father, and John Turturro, who is incredible as the disgruntled Jewish man Herb Stempel who has blown his '21' winnings on a bookie.
Saturday, March 16, 1996 - Video