$4,000 is the prize awarded to the top solver at the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament featured in this documentary.
“Discover a world that thinks inside the box”
Synopsis
$4,000 is the prize awarded to the top solver at the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament featured in this documentary.
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Synopsis
Will Shortz, the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle, guides audiences through the competitive realm of crossword solving in Wordplay. The film centers on the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, where top solvers, including three-time champion Trip Payne and 2001 champion Ellen Ripstein, compete for a $4,000 prize. Celebrity fans like Bill Clinton and Ken Burns share their enthusiasm for puzzles. Directed by Patrick Creadon, the documentary captures the skill and dedication required in this intellectual competition.
What Critics Say
Made with a lot of style and visual ingenuity. Crossword puzzles require unlimited facts, encyclopedic knowledge, and an ability to figure out the author's unstated assumptions.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet Will Shortz, the New York Times crossword editor.
- See the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in action.
- Follow Ellen Ripstein, a 2001 ACPT champion.
Did You Know
- Wordplay was released on June 16, 2006, in over 500 theaters.
- The film grossed $3,100,000, ranking among the Top 25 highest grossing documentaries.
- Creadon and his wife borrowed $100,000 from family and friends to make the film.
- The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2006.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Wordplay?
Wordplay was directed by Patrick Creadon.
What was the prize for the top solvers at the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament?
The top solvers competed for a prize of $4000 at the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.
How much did Wordplay gross at the domestic box office?
Wordplay grossed $3,100,000 in the domestic box office.
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