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IMDbPro

The Competition

  • 19801980
  • PGPG
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
23,332
1,835
The Competition (1980)
Paul Dietrich, at almost 30 years old, is a fading piano prodigy. Heidi Schoonover is a talented young pianist with a promising future. When Paul hears of an upcoming competition that could make his career, he dedicates himself to winning.
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
15 Photos
DramaRomanceMusic
Paul Dietrich, at almost 30 years old, is a fading piano prodigy. Heidi Schoonover is a talented young pianist with a promising future. When Paul hears of an upcoming competition that could ... Read allPaul Dietrich, at almost 30 years old, is a fading piano prodigy. Heidi Schoonover is a talented young pianist with a promising future. When Paul hears of an upcoming competition that could make his career, he dedicates himself to winning.Paul Dietrich, at almost 30 years old, is a fading piano prodigy. Heidi Schoonover is a talented young pianist with a promising future. When Paul hears of an upcoming competition that could make his career, he dedicates himself to winning.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
23,332
1,835
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Joel Oliansky
    • Writers
      • Joel Oliansky(screenplay)
      • William Sackheim(story)
    • Stars
      • Richard Dreyfuss
      • Amy Irving
      • Lee Remick
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Joel Oliansky
    • Writers
      • Joel Oliansky(screenplay)
      • William Sackheim(story)
    • Stars
      • Richard Dreyfuss
      • Amy Irving
      • Lee Remick
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Trailer

    Photos15

    The Competition (1980)
    1 sheet movie poster
    The Competition (1980)
    The Competition (1980)
    The Competition (1980)
    The Competition (1980)
    Richard Dreyfuss and Amy Irving in The Competition (1980)
    Richard Dreyfuss and Sam Wanamaker in The Competition (1980)
    Richard Dreyfuss, Amy Irving, Lee Remick, and Sam Wanamaker in The Competition (1980)
    Amy Irving and Lee Remick in The Competition (1980)
    Richard Dreyfuss and Amy Irving in The Competition (1980)
    Richard Dreyfuss and Amy Irving in The Competition (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Dreyfuss
    Richard Dreyfuss
    • Paul Dietrich
    Amy Irving
    Amy Irving
    • Heidi Joan Schoonover
    Lee Remick
    Lee Remick
    • Greta Vandemann
    Sam Wanamaker
    Sam Wanamaker
    • Andrew Erskine
    Joseph Cali
    Joseph Cali
    • Jerry DiSalvo
    Ty Henderson
    • Michael Humphries
    Vicki Kriegler
    • Tatjana Baronova
    Adam Stern
    • Mark Landau
    Philip Sterling
    Philip Sterling
    • Mr. Dietrich
    Gloria Stroock
    Gloria Stroock
    • Mrs. Dietrich
    Bea Silvern
    • Madame Gorshev
    James Sikking
    James Sikking
    • Brudenell
    • (as James B. Sikking)
    Delia Salvi
    • Mrs. DiSalvo
    Jimmy Sturtevant
    Jimmy Sturtevant
    • Vinnie DiSalvo
    Kathy Talbot
    • Denise DiSalvo
    Elaine Welton Hill
    • Mitzi
    Stephen Corvin
    • KGB Agent
    Jan Ivan Dorin
    • KGB Agent
    • Director
      • Joel Oliansky
    • Writers
      • Joel Oliansky(screenplay) (story)
      • William Sackheim(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of the contestants in the film was a real classical pianist: Adam Stern, who portrayed the virtually silent Mark Landau. He is now a full-time symphony conductor living and working in Seattle.
    • Goofs
      Greta, a legendary pianist, mentions the "una corda" pedal, but pronounces it "yoo-na kor-da". This is not the proper way and any musician knows it is "oo-na", not "yoo-na".
    • Quotes

      Paul: Nobody looks that good in direct sunlight, so it's not like you're such a knockout.

    • Alternate versions
      ABC edited 31 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Eyewitness/Tess/The Competition/The Dogs of War (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Love Theme - The Competition (People Alone)
      Music by Lalo Schifrin

      Lyrics by Will Jennings

      Sung by Randy Crawford

      Produced & Arranged by Ed Freeman (uncredited)

      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews40

    Review
    Top review
    If You
    To begin without thanking the principals for awesome piano faking would be horrendous, likewise to not applaud their training by Jean Evensen Shaw. There is a precision to what they do, with Amy and Richard to be sure but with all of them, that is astounding. It's a sweet tale but also an insight into the cruel world of music competition where the real hero this time around has to be Ludvig himself. If you have music and performing in you; if you have been classically trained; if you believe in love; then you will in turn love this movie and its music.
    helpful•11
    4
    • UACW
    • Nov 28, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 3, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das große Finale
    • Filming locations
      • Shrine Auditorium - 665 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Rastar Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,287,755
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $76,163
      • Dec 7, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,287,755
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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