Film OverviewThe 1963 movie "The Prize" is an awesome drama focusing on the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm. Its plot mixes satire, romance and thriller in equivalent measure. The film was directed by Mark Robson and based on Irving Wallace's novel of the same title. The screenplay was crafted by Ernest Lehman, and the primary lead was played by the famous Paul Newman, starring as Andrew Craig, a sardonic, hard-drinking author.
Plot Run DownAndrew Craig, a once-great, hard-drinking author who has actually turned into a cynical celeb, wins the Nobel Prize for Literature. Despite his absence of writing in recent years, he accepts the award for the financial advantages and the journey to Stockholm. Upon arrival, he satisfies another laureate, physicist Dr. Max Stratman (played by Edward G. Robinson) and his niece, Emily.
Craig, as it turns out, ends up being involved in a plot including Dr. Stratman. He soon recognizes that the male declaring to be Dr. Stratman is an impostor, part of a Cold War conspiracy to abduct the real Stratman and steal his research into anti-gravity. When Craig tries to expose the situation, he is discredited due to his well-known drinking and ineligible persona.
Action, Romance, and ResolutionThe movie skillfully weaves love into Craig's undertakings, as he attempts to encourage Emily Stratman (played by Elke Sommer), niece of the physicist, to think his claims. Craig faces various life-threatening situations as he tries to discover the conspiracy and return the real Stratman back to the Nobel ceremony.
In the subplot of love, Craig does manage to gain Emily's faith and likewise develops a romantic relationship with her. Meanwhile, he dives deeper into the scenario and handles to locate the abducted Dr. Stratman. Amid a great deal of stress, action, and nail-biting situations, Craig heroically rescues Dr. Stratman and brings him back to the award ceremony.
Critical Acclaim and Conclusion"The Prize" is known for its high-stakes plot, interwoven with funny and romance. Its impressive script is praised for its perfect blend of thriller and wit. Newman's efficiency as a cynic-turned-hero was admired for its appeal and credibility. The representation of Nobel laureates and the ceremony itself, from the entertaining preliminary scenes to the suspenseful ending, kept a balance between drama, humor, and political intrigue.
The movie is a fascinating mixture of suspense, action, political intrigue and love, adorned by a fantastic efficiency by Paul Newman, suspenseful instructions by Mark Robson, and a script overflowing with sharp-witted lines. "The Prize" is kept in mind as a traditional thriller set against the magnificent backdrop of Stockholm and the distinguished Nobel Prize event.
Top Cast
