"Fifty million people watched but no one saw a thing."

1994

2h 13m

7.3(933 votes)

History

Drama

Mystery

Overview

Herbert Stempel's transformation into an unexpected television personality unfolds as he secures victory on the cherished American game show, 'Twenty-One.' However, when the show introduces the highly skilled contestant Charles Van Doren to replace Stempel, it compels Stempel to let out his frustrations and call out the show as rigged. Lawyer Richard Goodwin steps in and attempts to uncover the orchestrated deception behind the scenes.

Links & Resources

IMDbView

Social & External

IMDb

Production Companies

Videos & Trailers

1 video

Cast & Crew

103 members

Acting

Ralph Fiennes

Charles Van Doren

Acting

Rob Morrow

Richard Goodwin

Acting

John Turturro

Herbert 'Herb' Stempel

Acting

Paul Scofield

Mark Van Doren

Acting

David Paymer

Dan Enright

Acting

Hank Azaria

Albert Freedman

Acting

Christopher McDonald

Jack Barry

Acting

Johann Carlo

Toby Stempel

Acting

Elizabeth Wilson

Dorothy Van Doren

Acting

Allan Rich

Robert Kintner

Acting

Mira Sorvino

Sandra Goodwin

Acting

George Martin

Chairman Harris

Acting

Paul Guilfoyle

Lishman

Acting

Griffin Dunne

Account Guy

Acting

Michael Mantell

Pennebaker

Acting

Byron Jennings

Moomaw

Acting

Ben Shenkman

Childress

Acting

Timothy Busfield

Fred

Acting

Jack Gilpin

Jack

Acting

Bruce Altman

Gene

Directing

Martin Scorsese

Martin Rittenhome

Acting

Joseph Blaire

Lester Stempel

Acting

Ernie Sabella

Car Salesman

Directing

Barry Levinson

Dave Garroway

Acting

Debra Monk

Kintner's Secretary

Acting

Mario Cantone

Passerby

Acting

Timothy Britten Parker

Researcher

Acting

Grace Phillips

Vivienne Nearing

Acting

Jerry Grayson

Limo Driver

Acting

Scott Lucy

NBC Page

No Image

Acting

Matt Keeslar

NBC Page

Acting

Ron Scott Bertozzi

NBC Page

No Image

Acting

Harriet Sansom Harris

Enright's Secretary

Acting

Mary Shultz

Freedman's Secretary

Directing

Dave Wilson

Director

No Image

Directing

Robert Caminiti

Associate Director

No Image

Acting

Eddie Korbich

Lighting Director

No Image

Acting

Le Clanché du Rand

Cornwall Neighbor

Acting

Carole Shelley

Cornwall Aunt

Acting

Shawn Batten

Cornwall Cousin

No Image

Production

Cornelia Ryan

Cornwall Cousin

No Image

Acting

Jeffrey Nordling

John Van Doren

Acting

Gina Rice

Mrs. John Van Doren

No Image

Acting

Vince O'Brien

Bunny Wilson

No Image

Acting

Adam Kilgour

Thomas Merton, The Monk

No Image

Acting

Richard Seff

Congressman Devine

No Image

Acting

Bill Moor

Congressman Rogers

Acting

Nicholas Kepros

Congressman Flynt

No Image

Acting

Barry Snider

Congressman Springer

No Image

Writing

Chuck Adamson

Congressman Mack

Acting

Joseph Attanasio

Congressman Derounian

No Image

Writing

Dan Wakefield

Professor at Book Party

No Image

Acting

Hamilton Fish

Professor at Book Party

No Image

Acting

Merwin Goldsmith

Writer at Book Party

Acting

Illeana Douglas

Woman at Book Party

Acting

Gretchen Egolf

Student at Book Party

Acting

Stephen Pearlman

Judge Schweitzer

Acting

Anthony Fusco

Librarian

Acting

Douglas McGrath

Snodgrass

Acting

Calista Flockhart

Barnard Girl

Production

Alysa Shwedel

Barnard Girl

No Image

Acting

Kelly Coffield Park

Queens Neighbor

Acting

Dede Pochos

Queens Neighbor

No Image

Acting

Maria Radman

Queens Neighbor

No Image

Acting

David Stepkin

Queens Neighbor

No Image

Acting

Steve Roland

Today Announcer (voice)

Acting

Bernie Sheredy

Reporter

Acting

Joe Lisi

Reporter

Acting

Greg Martin

Reporter

No Image

Acting

Reno

Woman at Door

No Image

Directing

Neil Leifer

Psychoanalyst

No Image

Writing

Caryn Krooth

Blonde

No Image

Acting

Mario Contacessi

Waiter

No Image

Acting

Patricia Geri Russell

Challenger

No Image

Acting

Bill Cwikowski

Challenger

Acting

William Fichtner

Stage Manager

Crew

Vincent J. Burns

Crew Member

No Image

Acting

Katherine Borowitz

#1 Mom

Crew

Ray Abbott

Photographer (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Ted Brunson

Reporter (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Michael J. Burg

Student (Uncredited)

Acting

Hélène Cardona

Student (Uncredited)

Acting

Susan Janet Cooper

Susan - Pete's Wife (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Richard Council

Reporter #1 (Uncredited)

Acting

Toni Downey

Secretary (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Matthew T. Gitkin

NBC Staff (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Jerry Griffin

Doorman (uncredited)

No Image

Production

David Hausen

Camera Operator (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Ethan Hawke

Columbia Student (uncredited)

Acting

Christopher King

Congressional Hearing Reporter (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Stas Kmiec

Man in Glasses (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Michael Luceri

Student (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Owen Lund

Techincal Director (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Gerald McCullouch

Bus Boy (Uncredited)

Acting

Peter Morse

Student (Uncredited)

No Image

Acting

Ron Ostrow

Photographer (Uncredited)

Acting

John Ponzio

NBC Page (Uncredited)

Acting

James Prendergast

Lawyer (Uncredited)

Acting

Paul Vincent Rapisarda

Courtroom Attendee (Uncredited)

Acting

Steve Ryan

NBC Employee (Uncredited)

Acting

Jonathan Marc Sherman

Don Quixote Student #2 (Uncredited)

Acting

Nick Taylor

Herbie's Neighbor (Uncredited)

Acting

Glenn Zarr

Press Phtographer (Uncredited)

No Image

Similar Movies

5.9

2018

The Front Runner

Gary Hart, former Senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.

Movie

6.1

1994

Against the Wall

In 1971, a warden at Attica Penitentiary is caught up in a hostage crisis when inmates take over the prison to demand better living conditions.

Movie

6.7

1993

Heaven & Earth

In a small Vietnamese village torn apart by war, a young woman faces unimaginable horrors before deciding to escape to the city. There, she encounters a compassionate Marine who offers her hope and a chance at a new life, igniting the possibility of a future together.

Movie

6.2

1947

The Paradine Case

Attorney Anthony Keane agrees to represent Londonite Mrs. Paradine, who has been fingered in her husband's murder. From the start, the married lawyer is drawn to the enigmatic beauty, and he begins to cast about for a way to exonerate his client. Keane puts the Paradine household servant on the stand, suggesting he is the killer. But Keane soon loses his way in the courtroom, and his half-baked plan sets off a stunning chain of events.

Movie

6.5

1970

Cromwell

Disgusted with the policies of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell plans to take his family to the New World. But on the eve of their departure, Cromwell is drawn into the tangled web of religion and politics that will result in the English Civil War.

Movie

6.6

2009

Balibo

As Indonesia prepares to invade the tiny nation of East Timor, five Australian based journalists go missing. Four weeks later, veteran foreign correspondent Roger East is lured to East Timor by the young and charismatic José Ramos-Horta to tell the story of his country and investigate the fate of the missing men. As East's determination to uncover the truth grows, the threat of invasion intensifie

Movie

6.0

1976

Raid on Entebbe

Based on a true operation by Israeli commandos. An Air France flight is hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The airplane landed in Uganda. The terrorists released some passengers, keeping 94 Jews and 12 air crew hostage. The Israeli government would not negotiate. A rescue plan was devised, and less than 100 commandos were flown across Africa to rescue the passengers in surprisingly successful operation.

Movie

7.7

1987

Hachiko

The tragic, true story about Hachikō, an Akita dog who was loyal to his master, Professor Ueno, even after Ueno's death.

Movie

6.2

2022

Bandit

After escaping a Michigan prison, a charming career criminal assumes a new identity in Canada and goes on to rob a record 59 banks and jewellery stores while being hunted by a rogue task force. Based on the true story of The Flying Bandit.

Movie

5.9

2020

Nour

After a shipwreck, a Syrian girl arrives alone on a Sicilian island. A doctor sets out to find her origins and her mother.

Movie

7.2

2015

Bridge of Spies

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan, recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel, the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

Movie

6.4

2014

Sex Appeal

Huihua, a music school freshman, is raped by Professor Lee. She files a suit against him with the help of another professor, who involves his attorney friend, Fang Anyu. As the film focuses on the secondary abuse inflicted on Huihua, it narrows in on the characters’ inner lives. Why does Fang Anyu defend Huihua while his marriage crumbles? Why does attorney Lin so actively defend her husband? Above all, Huihua’s complex psyche is evident in the words, "I may have loved Professor Lee," changes the film into something beyond a simple courtroom drama.

Movie

7.5

1971

The Devils

In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier seeks to protect the city of Loudun from the corrupt establishment of Cardinal Richelieu. Hysteria occurs within the city when he is accused of witchcraft by the sexually repressed Sister Jeanne.

Movie

6.9

2017

The Last Hour

Lima, Peru, 1991. After years of fruitless efforts, a group of police officers finally find a lead on the whereabouts of Abimael Guzmán, the bloodthirsty leader of the communist terrorist gang Shining Path.

Movie

7.7

1990

Edward Scissorhands

A small suburban town receives a visit from a castaway unfinished science experiment named Edward.

Movie

7.2

2001

K-PAX

Prot is a patient at a mental hospital who claims to be from a far away planet. His psychiatrist tries to help him, only to begin to doubt his own explanations.

Movie

7.9

1995

Braveheart

Enraged at the slaughter of Murron, his new bride and childhood love, Scottish warrior William Wallace slays a platoon of the local English lord's soldiers. This leads the village to revolt and, eventually, the entire country to rise up against English rule.

Movie

8.3

1989

Dead Poets Society

At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.

Movie

7.4

1999

Boys Don't Cry

A young transgender man explores his gender identity and searches for love in rural Nebraska.

Movie

7.9

1986

Stand by Me

After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie, Vern, Chris and Teddy encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.

Movie

Recommended Movies

6.0

2014

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

When irascible matriarch Viola Price learns that her next asthma attack will likely kill her, she is determined to fix her fractured family before she leaves this world.

Movie

6.4

1994

Gagarin

A young caterpillar yearns to fly like the butterflies and birds, but cannot launch himself high enough to do so ... until a couple start playing badminton nearby.

Movie

5.8

2009

Out in the Silence

There may not be any secrets in a small town, but there is an expectation of silence. In A Town Called Oil City, the return of a native son to announce his same sex wedding and help a gay teen who is being tormented at school offers a chance to change the way things have always been done.

Movie

6.6

1929

Hallelujah

A black laborer turns preacher after accidentally killing a man.

Movie

5.6

2000

The Independent

A notorious B-movie director tries for a comeback by seeking out the film rights to the life story of a serial killer who wants his biography film to be a musical.

Movie

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West

5.2

2005

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West

Obsession is a film about the threat of Radical Islam to Western civilization. Using unique footage from Arab television, it reveals an 'insider's view' of the hatred the Radicals are teaching, their incitement of global jihad, and their goal of world domination.

Movie

6.0

1994

PCU

Nervous high school senior Tom Lawrence visits Port Chester University, where he gets a taste of politically correct college life when he's guided by fraternity wild man Droz and his housemates at The Pit. But Droz and his pals have rivals in nasty preppy Rand McPherson and the school's steely president. With their house threatened with expulsion, Droz and company decide to throw a raging party where the various factions will collide.

Movie

7.0

1962

The Tale of Zatoichi Continues

Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love.

Movie

6.7

1990

Tongues Untied

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap.

Movie

7.1

2019

Master Cheng

Cheng, 45, a restaurant owner from China, has travelled with his young son halfway around the world to a remote village in Finland. His wife died recently in an accident, and Cheng wanted to have a break from everything by traveling with his son to see an old Finnish friend who lives on a farm in the countryside of Finland. It’s the most remote place Cheng can imagine with endless forests, thousands of lakes, a country with entire population of one-fifth of Cheng’s home town, Shanghai.

Movie

7.0

1996

The People vs. Larry Flynt

Larry Flynt is the hedonistically obnoxious, but indomitable, publisher of Hustler magazine. The film recounts his struggle to make an honest living publishing his girlie magazine and how it changes into a battle to protect the freedom of speech for all people.

Movie

5.8

1985

Gotcha!

A student on a trip to France is tricked into smuggling secrets across the Iron Curtain by a sexy spy.

Movie

5.7

2020

How to Build a Girl

The journey of Midlands teenager Johanna Morrigan, who reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde: fast-talking, lady sex-adventurer, moves to London, and gets a job as music critic in the hope of saving her poverty stricken family in Wolverhampton. Based on Caitlin Moran's bestselling semi-autobiographical novel.

Movie

7.5

2016

Fog in August

A Yenish boy is placed in a mental hospital and experiences the Nazi euthanasia program. Aware of what was happening and attached to friends, the lad attempts to sabotage the program. The film addresses the complexities of the program director, the lives of the child victims, and the struggles of the child protagonist. More than five thousand children died in the Nazi euthanasia program.

Movie

7.5

1980

Ordinary People

Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.

Movie

6.9

2006

Time

Consumed by jealousy, a woman takes an extreme step and undergoes surgery for a new face. Although her lover of 2 years misses her, he falls in love with the new face, not knowing it's the same woman.

Movie

6.8

1994

The Last Seduction

A devious femme fatale steals her husband’s drug money and hides out in a small town where she meets the perfect dupe for her next scheme.

Movie

7.2

2016

Looking: The Movie

Patrick returns to San Francisco for the first time in almost a year to celebrate a momentous event with his old friends. In the process, he must face the unresolved relationships he left behind and make difficult choices about what’s important to him.

Movie

7.0

1974

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

After her husband dies, Alice and her son, Tommy, leave their small New Mexico town for California, where Alice hopes to make a new life for herself as a singer. Money problems force them to settle in Arizona instead, where Alice takes a job as waitress in a small diner.

Movie

7.3

1955

The Ladykillers

Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.

Movie