> Without a doubt, The Sting would be PG-13 today, a rating that didn't come into being until 1984 after Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, a movie with some fairly dark scenes, was given a PG rating. Red Dawn was the first movie released with a PG-13 rating. And what a thrill it was for me as a 12 year old to see it with my friend, also 12, with his parents in the movie next door.

I'm with Ferrick about this, but I'd also like to note that in 1973, the rating system was pretty new, period. The Sting is pretty clearly not R-rated, and things like smoking/drinking tend not to be a big factor in movie ratings even today (though on-screen drug use can be) -- they certainly weren't a big issue in 1973 ratings.

Also, I thought The Sting was great as a kid. I didn't find it too slow. Anyway, thankfully the MPAA rating doesn't try to be a guide as to whether or not kids will like a movie.

Ste "Hey Ferrick, what's with the top-posting?" phen