Spellbound

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Spellbound

G,

2003,

1h 37m,

Documentary

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Watchlist

97%

132 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Eight youthful competitors, sponsored by their hometown newspapers, travel with their families to Washington, D.C., to compete in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Now in the national spotlight and under heavy pressure to perform from parents, teachers and their audience, the children struggle to advance toward the championship -- and its accompanying scholarships and cash prizes -- while approaching competitive spelling with the focus and intensity of Olympic athletes.

Critics Consensus

A suspenseful, gripping documentary that features an engaging cross section of American children.

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Neil Norman

London Evening Standard

Jan 11, 2018

The result is a powerful, moving and often very funny exploration of what it is to be an American.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

5/5

Families should see this m-a-r-v-e-l-o-u-s film.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Mar 2, 2004

A-

A tribute to old-fashioned virtues of hard work, education, competition — and good spelling in a spellchecker age.

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Sep 16, 2023

An endearing use of the sports documentary format to celebrate child geniuses [...] An alternately emotional, funny, and always gripping watch.

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Mar 17, 2014

A charming and entertaining view into the world of the National Spelling Bee and a glimpse into the challenges its competitors face...

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James Verniere

Boston Herald

Jul 16, 2005

3.5/4

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Harry W

May 30, 2018

this was an ok movie. lots of emotions just too lazy to explain but it was good.

Ron S

Jun 10, 2017

Excellent. Lucy 8/10.

Poe R

May 24, 2017

Entertaining and a bit sad.

Leia W

May 19, 2017

I wouldn't say I was spellbound by Spellbound, but I was definitely entertained. This documentary does a good job of making you care for the kids involved and making you wonder who is going to win. It also manages to let you feel part of the suspense that the contestants are feeling. I-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-V-E!

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Jeffrey Blitz

Director

Paige Kimble

Self

Jonathan Knisely

Self

Balu Natarajan

Self

Julianne Ruth

Self

Jeffrey Blitz

Writer

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Synopsis

Eight youthful competitors, sponsored by their hometown newspapers, travel with their families to Washington, D.C., to compete in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Now in the national spotlight and under heavy pressure to perform from parents, teachers and their audience, the children struggle to advance toward the championship -- and its accompanying scholarships and cash prizes -- while approaching competitive spelling with the focus and intensity of Olympic athletes.

Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Producer: Jeffrey Blitz, Sean Welch
Screenwriter: Jeffrey Blitz
Distributor: ThinkFilm
Production Co: Blitz/Welch
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 30, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 37m

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