Competitive spelling is so hot right now. With that in mind, we think it's the perfect time to revisit the classic documentary on the subject, the riveting Spellbound.
Jeffrey Blitz's Oscar-nominated documentary follows eight kids from a broad range of backgrounds and socio-economic groups, as they compete in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The featured spellers are: Harry Altman, Ted Brigham, Neil Kadakia, Emily Stagg, Angela Arenivar, April Degideo, Nupur Lala, Ashley White. As these plucky kids spell their way to the finals, we get to know them and their families, and share in their terror and their triumphs.
David and Margaret reviewed Spellbound for The Movie Show in 1999, and David drew comparisons to Hitchcock, beyond the name of the film, saying: "in some ways its as suspenseful as anything Hitchcock ever did".
He's right.
Watch their review in full
Watch Spellbound at SBS on Demand
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