Word Wars (2004)

A look at the obsessive world of competitive Scrabble.

Directors:

Eric Chaikin, Julian Petrillo

Stars:

Joe Edley, Matt Graham, Marlon Hill

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joe Edley	...	Himself
Matt Graham	...	Himself
Marlon Hill	...	Himself
Joel Sherman	...	Himself (as 'G.I.' Joel Sherman)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mike Birbiglia	...	Himself
Brian Cappelletto	...	Himself
Aldo Cardia	...	Himself (as Aldo)
Chris	...	Herself
Lynn Cushman	...	Herself
Jan Dixon	...	Herself
Stefan Fatsis	...	Himself
Uncle Harrison	...	Himself - Marlon's Uncle
Hattie Hill	...	Herself - Marlon's Mother
Jimmy	...	Himself
Joe	...	Himself

Storyline

The classic board game, Scrabble, has been popular for decades. In addition, there are fanatics who devote heart and soul to this game to the expense of everything else. This film profiles a group of these enthusiasts as they converge for a Scrabble convention where the word game is almost a bloodsport.

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Plot Keywords:

scrabble | board game | marijuana | tournament

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Website

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Circuit

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,613 (USA) (25 June 2004)

Gross:

$60,802 (USA) (25 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

E-Wolf, Seventh Art Releasing

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last line in the credits reads "This film is rated 1900" - a reference to the National Scrabble Association rating system (1700 and above is considered an expert rating; typically only elite players get to 1900 and up).

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Crazy Credits

This film is rated 1900.

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Connections

References Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Across the Universe"
Written by John Lennon (as Lennon) & Paul McCartney (as McCartney)
Performed by Andrew Chaikin and Austin Willacy
Also performed by Joel Sherman

User Reviews

Best Scrabble® Documentary to date

This film is without a doubt the best Scrabble® Documentary film yet made. The story follows the efforts of four very different top-level Scrabble® players in their attempt to win the title of 2002 National Scrabble Champion. The directors highlight the disparate backgrounds and approaches to the game of the four principles, from the Tai Chi of 3 time champion Joe Edley to the mind-enhancing pharmaceuticals of Matt Graham. The film uses engaging graphics to explain how Scrabble® is played at the pro-level, and to highlight brilliant plays and anagrams. The audience gets a chance to "play along" with many plays of the main characters and many others on the tournament circuit. In addition, the story takes a foray into the subculture of "the parkies", the serious Scrabble®-playing denizens of Washington Square Park, NYC, and the history of the controversy that created the two dictionaries in use for Scrabble® today, one for the tournament players, and one for the general public.

By focusing on the people and not history of the game, Word Wars shows the tournament Scrabble® scene at its most human.