Quiz Show (film)
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:05:21 PM Wikipedia source
Quiz Show is a 1994 American historical mystery-drama film directed and produced by Robert Redford. Dramatizing the Twenty-One quiz show scandals of the 1950s, the screenplay by Paul Attanasio adapts the memoirs of Richard N. Goodwin, a U.S. Congressional lawyer who investigated the accusations of game-fixing by show producers. The film chronicles the rise and fall of popular contestant Charles Van Doren after the fixed loss of Herb Stempel and Goodwin's subsequent probe. The film stars John Turturro as Stempel, Rob Morrow as Goodwin, and Ralph Fiennes as Charles Van Doren. Paul Scofield, David Paymer, Hank Azaria, Martin Scorsese, Mira Sorvino, and Christopher McDonald play supporting roles. The real Goodwin and Stempel served as technical advisors to the production. The film received generally positive reviews and was nominated for several awards, including a Best Picture Oscar nomination (among three others) and several Golden Globe Awards. It grossed $52.2 million against a $31 million budget.
Infobox
Directed by
Robert Redford
Screenplay by
Paul Attanasio
Based on
Remembering Americaby Richard Goodwin
Produced by
Robert RedfordMichael JacobsJulian KraininMichael Nozik
Starring
mw- John Turturro Rob Morrow Ralph Fiennes David Paymer Paul Scofield
Cinematography
Michael Ballhaus
Edited by
Stu Linder
Music by
Mark Isham
Productioncompanies
Hollywood PicturesBaltimore PicturesWildwood EnterprisesMichael Jacobs Productions
Distributed by
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Release date
September 14, 1994 (1994-09-14) (New York City)
Running time
133 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$31 million
Box office
$52.2 million
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
20/20 Award
20/20 Award
Award
20/20 Award
Category
Best Picture
Nominee
Quiz Show
Result
Nominated
Best Director
Best Director
Award
Best Director
Category
Robert Redford
Nominee
Nominated
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Award
Best Supporting Actor
Category
Paul Scofield
Nominee
Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Award
Best Adapted Screenplay
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Nominated
Best Art Direction
Best Art Direction
Award
Best Art Direction
Category
Jon Hutman
Nominee
Nominated
Academy Award
Academy Award
Award
Academy Award
Category
Best Picture
Nominee
Robert Redford, Michael Jacobs, Julian Kranin and Michael Nozik
Result
Nominated
Best Director
Best Director
Award
Best Director
Category
Robert Redford
Nominee
Nominated
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Award
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Category
Paul Scofield
Nominee
Nominated
Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Award
Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Nominated
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Award
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Category
Best Achievement in Directing
Nominee
Robert Redford
Result
Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Award
Best Adapted Screenplay
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics Award
Boston Society of Film Critics Award
Award
Boston Society of Film Critics Award
Category
Best Director
Nominee
Robert Redford
Result
Runner-up
British Academy Film Award
British Academy Film Award
Award
British Academy Film Award
Category
Best Film
Nominee
Robert Redford
Result
Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Award
Best Adapted Screenplay
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Won
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Award
Best Supporting Actor
Category
Paul Scofield
Nominee
Nominated
Directors Guild of America Award
Directors Guild of America Award
Award
Directors Guild of America Award
Category
Outstanding Directing — Feature Film
Nominee
Robert Redford
Result
Nominated
Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
Award
Golden Globe Award
Category
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominee
Robert Redford
Result
Nominated
Best Director
Best Director
Award
Best Director
Category
Robert Redford
Nominee
Nominated
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Award
Best Supporting Actor
Category
John Turturro
Nominee
Nominated
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Award
Best Screenplay
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Nominated
Golden Laurel Award
Golden Laurel Award
Award
Golden Laurel Award
Category
Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
Nominee
Robert Redford, Michael Jacobs, Julien Krainin, Michael Nozik
Result
Nominated
National Society of Film Critics
National Society of Film Critics
Award
National Society of Film Critics
Category
Best Supporting Actor
Nominee
Paul Scofield
Result
3rd place
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Award
Best Screenplay
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Runner-up
New York Film Critics Circle
New York Film Critics Circle
Award
New York Film Critics Circle
Category
Best Film
Nominee
Quiz Show
Result
Won
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Award
Best Supporting Actor
Category
Paul Scofield
Nominee
Runner-up
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Award
Best Screenplay
Category
Paul Attanasio
Nominee
Runner-up
Screen Actors Guild Award
Screen Actors Guild Award
Award
Screen Actors Guild Award
Category
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominee
John Turturro
Result
Nominated
| Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 20/20 Award | Best Picture | Quiz Show | Nominated |
| Best Director | Robert Redford | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Paul Scofield | Nominated | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Paul Attanasio | Nominated | |
| Best Art Direction | Jon Hutman | Nominated | |
| Academy Award | Best Picture | Robert Redford, Michael Jacobs, Julian Kranin and Michael Nozik | Nominated |
| Best Director | Robert Redford | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Paul Scofield | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published | Paul Attanasio | Nominated | |
| Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Achievement in Directing | Robert Redford | Nominated |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Paul Attanasio | Nominated | |
| Boston Society of Film Critics Award | Best Director | Robert Redford | Runner-up |
| British Academy Film Award | Best Film | Robert Redford | Nominated |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Paul Attanasio | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Paul Scofield | Nominated | |
| Directors Guild of America Award | Outstanding Directing — Feature Film | Robert Redford | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Award | Best Motion Picture – Drama | Robert Redford | Nominated |
| Best Director | Robert Redford | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actor | John Turturro | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Paul Attanasio | Nominated | |
| Golden Laurel Award | Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures | Robert Redford, Michael Jacobs, Julien Krainin, Michael Nozik | Nominated |
| National Society of Film Critics | Best Supporting Actor | Paul Scofield | 3rd place |
| Best Screenplay | Paul Attanasio | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | Best Film | Quiz Show | Won |
| Best Supporting Actor | Paul Scofield | Runner-up | |
| Best Screenplay | Paul Attanasio | Runner-up | |
| Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role | John Turturro | Nominated |
References
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- catalog.afi.comhttps://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/60197
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- Remembering America: A Voice from the Sixties
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- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1995/film/features/berlin-boasts-19-world-bows-99125108/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1995/film/features/china-opens-its-doors-to-sundance-fest-99128594/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1995/film/features/kiss-seduces-berlin-stirring-sluggish-mood-99124569/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1995/film/features/quiz-shows-spotty-b-o-overseas-99124455/
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- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1995/film/features/new-faces-practiced-hands-99125028/
- Golden Globe Awardshttps://www.goldenglobes.com/film/quiz-show
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1995/film/features/pga-film-noms-mirror-dga-pix-99125032/
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