“The Sting,” a classic 1973 film directed by George Roy Hill and written by David S. Ward, is celebrated for its intricate plot and surprise ending. The film, set in the 1930s, stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two professional grifters, Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker, who team up to pull off a large-scale con against a mob boss, Doyle Lonnegan, portrayed by Robert Shaw.

The climax of the film, often referred to as “the sting,” is a carefully orchestrated fake betting parlor set up by Gondorff and Hooker to swindle Lonnegan. The plan involves tricking Lonnegan into believing he’s betting on a horse race that has been fixed in his favor. In a tense scene, Lonnegan places a massive bet based on a tip-off from Hooker, only to discover he’s been duped when the horse he bet on loses.

However, the true twist comes in the aftermath. Lonnegan, furious about being conned, orders his bodyguard to kill both Gondorff and Hooker. Shots are fired, and both Gondorff and Hooker appear to be fatally wounded. Lonnegan leaves, believing his problem is solved. But once he’s gone, Gondorff and Hooker get up, unharmed. The shooting was part of the con, designed to make Lonnegan leave without trying to recover his money or take revenge.

The brilliance of “The Sting” lies in its ability to keep the audience in the dark until the very end. Throughout the film, viewers are led to believe in the reality presented by the characters, only to be surprised when the final layer of the con is revealed. This ending reinforces the theme of deception and illusion, central to the world of professional grifting that the film so masterfully depicts. The movie’s legacy is partly due to this smart and satisfying conclusion, which remains a hallmark of great storytelling in cinema.