The Competition (1980)
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- PG
- 2h 3min
- Drama, Romance
- 03 Dec 1980 (USA)
- Movie
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.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Richard Dreyfuss | ... |
Paul Dietrich
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| Amy Irving | ... |
Heidi Joan Schoonover
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| Lee Remick | ... |
Greta Vandemann
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| Sam Wanamaker | ... |
Andrew Erskine
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| Joseph Cali | ... |
Jerry DiSalvo
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| Ty Henderson | ... |
Michael Humphries
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Vicki Kriegler | ... |
Tatjana Baronova
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Adam Stern | ... |
Mark Landau
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| Philip Sterling | ... |
Mr. Dietrich
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| Gloria Stroock | ... |
Mrs. Dietrich
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Bea Silvern | ... |
Madame Gorshev
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| James Sikking | ... |
Brudenell
(as James B. Sikking)
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Delia Salvi | ... |
Mrs. DiSalvo
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| Jimmy Sturtevant | ... |
Vinnie DiSalvo
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Kathy Talbot | ... |
Denise DiSalvo
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Elaine Welton Hill | ... |
Mitzi
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Stephen Corvin | ... |
KGB Agent
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Jan Ivan Dorin | ... |
KGB Agent
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| Priscilla Pointer | ... |
Mrs. Donellan
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Rachel Bard | ... |
Judge Andruss
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| Laurie Main | ... |
Judge Wyeth
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Corinne Kason | ... |
Judge Rankin
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| Ronald F. Hoiseck | ... |
Judge Pyck
(as Ronald Hoiseck)
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| Ross Evans | ... |
Judge Heimling
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Allan Gruener | ... |
Judge Douzenko
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| John Clavin | ... |
Judge Weatherall
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Bill Conklin | ... |
Fellow Passenger
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Lynn Arden | ... |
Consulate Receptionist
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Koki Iwamoto | ... |
Watanabe
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Kurt Stefl | ... |
Theobald
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Robert Vega | ... |
Contreras
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John Mezz | ... |
Steinmetz
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Sam Ratcliffe | ... |
Delisle
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Rhio H. Blair | ... |
Karnow
(as Rhio Blair)
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Rex Benson | ... |
Brownell
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Jack Denbo | ... |
Master of Ceremonies
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| Howard Osias | ... |
Gary
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François Gondoin | ... |
French Sailor
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Jean-Claude Personnat | ... |
French Sailor
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Alain Rocaboy | ... |
French Sailor
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| Ben Hammer | ... |
Nichols
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Sterling Swanson | ... |
Rudko
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Fielding Greaves | ... |
Doctor
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Eric Barnes | ... |
Consulate Aide
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Mark Anger | ... |
Consulate Aide
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Nick Outin | ... |
Consulate Aide
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Joe Bellan | ... |
Consulate Servant
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Carl Arena | ... |
Capitano
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Marti Cate | ... |
Columbine
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Robert Dawson | ... |
Recorder Player
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Anne Hodgkinson | ... |
Recorder Player
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Peter Hallifax | ... |
Lute Player
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Drew Letchworth | ... |
Punchinello
(as Andrew Letchworth)
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Jeanne Lauren | ... |
Cymbal / Drummer
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Patrick Martin | ... |
Harlequin
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Richard Dupell | ... |
Sign Carrier
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Leslie Allen | ... |
Desk Clerk
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| Ann Cooper | ... |
Reporter 1
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Directed by
| Joel Oliansky | ||
Written by
| Joel Oliansky | ... | (screenplay) |
| Joel Oliansky | ... | (story) and |
| William Sackheim | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| Howard Pine | ... | executive producer |
| William Sackheim | ... | producer |
Music by
| Lalo Schifrin | ||
Cinematography by
| Richard H. Kline | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| David E. Blewitt | ... | (as David Blewitt) |
Editorial Department
| Stephen Price | ... | apprentice editor |
| James Seidelman | ... | assistant editor |
| Nancy Weizer | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Jennifer Shull | ||
Production Design by
| Dale Hennesy | ||
Set Decoration by
| James W. Payne | ... | (as James Payne) |
Costume Design by
| Ruth Myers | ||
Makeup Department
| Leonard Drake | ... | hair stylist |
| Carolyn Ferguson | ... | hair stylist |
| Jack Freeman | ... | makeup artist |
| Leo Lotito Jr. | ... | makeup artist (as Leo Lotito) |
Production Management
| Howard Pine | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jon C. Andersen | ... | first assistant director |
| Buck Edwards | ... | second assistant director |
| Paul Magwood | ... | second assistant director |
| Jonathan Giles Zimmerman | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| William Apperson | ... | construction foreman |
| Louis S. Fleming | ... | assistant prop man (as Lou Flemming) |
| Bruce J. Gfeller | ... | construction coordinator |
| Sam Gordon | ... | property master |
| Dianne Wager | ... | set designer |
| Douglas Freeman | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Jeff Bushelman | ... | sound effects |
| Les Fresholtz | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Aaron Rochin | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Tex Rudloff | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Pat Somerset | ... | sound effects |
| John Speak | ... | sound mixer |
| Jeremy Hoenack | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Hubie Kerns Jr. | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Albert Bettcher | ... | camera operator (as Al Bettcher) |
| Eric Engler | ... | first assistant camera |
| Dave Friedman | ... | still photographer (as David Friedman) |
| Larry D. Howard | ... | gaffer |
| Robert Sordal | ... | key grip |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Betsy Heimann | ... | costumer: women |
| George L. Little | ... | costumer: men |
| Richard Little | ... | costumer: men |
| Elizabeth Pine | ... | costumer: women |
Location Management
| Andree Juviler | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| The Los Angeles Philharmonic | ... | orchestra |
| Bruce Miller | ... | conductor / music arranger |
| Lalo Schifrin | ... | conductor: The Los Angeles Philharmonic |
| Jean Evensen Shaw | ... | music consultant |
| Shinichi Yamazaki | ... | music editor |
| Leo Arnaud | ... | music coach (uncredited) |
| Emil Richards | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Julie Pitkanen | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Mike Doyle | ... | transportation |
| David Turner | ... | transportation (as Dave Turner) |
Additional Crew
| Leo Arnaud | ... | conducting coach |
| Laurie Cooke | ... | production assistant |
| Debra Sharon Davis | ... | unit publicist |
| Tom Greene | ... | classical music/concert consultant |
| Dorothy Hull | ... | assistant piano instructor |
| Florence Luneau | ... | secretary to producer |
| Gary Manacher | ... | assistant to producer |
| Bridget Murphy | ... | production coordinator |
| Cathy Naugle | ... | secretary to director |
| Jean Evensen Shaw | ... | piano advisor / piano teacher |
| Donald L. Sloan | ... | production accountant |
| Kathryn Waters | ... | production assistant |
| B.J. Smith | ... | first aid (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1980) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1985) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- Warner-Columbia Film (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1981) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1981) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Columbia-Warner Filmes de Portugal (1981) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- RCA / Columbia Pictures Video (1989) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS) (re-release)
- Fox Columbia Film Distributors (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- LK-TEL Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
- LK-TEL (Argentina) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1985) (Australia) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Burbank Editorial Service Inc. (sound effects)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (titles)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The movie centers on a piano competition whose winner is assured of success. It is Paul's last chance to compete, but newcomer Heidi may be a better pianist. Can romance be far away? Will she take a dive despite the pressure to win from her teacher, Greta, or will she condemn Paul to obscurity? Written by Reid Gagle |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Tears on my boobs, great country-western standards. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $10,100,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | In addition to coaching the film's six "competitors" in piano technique, Jean Evensen Shaw stayed on throughout the production, providing technical advice. Actress Lee Remick recalled that Shaw's help was "invaluable. Remick recalls that Shaw's help was "invaluable. Remick explained: "She kept us from making awful mistakes for which a real musician would have hooted us off the screen". One such scene was a verbal sparring match between Lee Remick) and Amy Irving over Richard Dreyfuss' intrusion in their well-ordered lives. Both women are sipping wine and as the argument escalates, Remick puts her goblet down on the sounding board of a grand piano and rises to confront her student."No, no." Shaw cried out as if in personal pain: "I don't care how excited you are. You must never put food or drink near such a beautiful instrument. You could damage it forever". The scene was re-staged. See more » |
| 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". See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Eyewitness/Tess/The Competition/The Dogs of War (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Love Theme - The Competition (People Alone) See more » |
| Quotes |
Greta Vandemann:
[Lighting a cigarette]
Ludwig Von Beethoven taught Carl Czerny, who taught Leschetizky, who taught Schnabel, who taught Renaldi, who taught me. And now the sixth pianist in a direct line from Beethoven is standing here staring at me in her Jordan Marsh mix-and-match. Heidi Joan Schoonover: You shouldn't smoke. See more » |