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Quiz about Corruption Graft and Shadiness in the Movies
Quiz about Corruption Graft and Shadiness in the Movies

Corruption, Graft, and Shadiness in the Movies Quiz


We hear a lot about corruption these days, in government and in business. There have been some swell movies dealing with the subject of corruption, here are ten trivia questions about some of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by robbieh. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
robbieh
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
307,030
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1615
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Nlc56 (10/10), Guest 35 (7/10), Guest 79 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Two young newspaper reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, go up against Washington's most powerful men to uncover the truth about the Watergate scandal. Their story is told in the excellent 1976 film "All The President's Men". Which two actors portray Woodward and Bernstein? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Put together a great story, top-notch actors, brilliant directing, and you get this 2006 film about the Irish Mob and some very corrupt cops. Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson star in this one, "The Departed." Who is the director of this film? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The subject of this movie is corruption and brutality in the Arkansas penal system. Robert Redford is the star. He begins the film masquerading as an incoming prisoner, and later reveals himself to be the new warden, bent on cleaning up the hellish conditions within the prison. What's the name of this 1980 film? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This 1981 film is the story of Daniel Ciello, a New York police detective who is induced by Internal Affairs to secretly investigate corruption within his own department, and to inform against his fellow officers. Treat Williams plays Ciello, and Sidney Lumet directs this true-life story. Which film is it? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In 1920s Los Angeles, a young boy goes missing. When the police return a boy to the distraught mother, she realizes he isn't her son. A struggle ensues between the mother and the police, and the police do not play fair. The film, based on actual events, is from 2008. Which one is it? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The subject matter of this 1987 film will sound familiar. It's about avarice and unscrupulous business practices in the financial world. The name of the film, "Wall Street". Stockbroker Gordon Gekko, whose motto is "Greed is Good", is played by an actor who won an Oscar for his performance. Who is he? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In this 1973 film, an idealistic policeman fights corruption on the New York police force. It's based on the experiences of a real-life officer. Just starting out at the time, the actor playing the cop was Al Pacino. What's the name of the film? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Starring one of Hollywood's finest, Paul Newman, this film features a crooked judge and unethical behavior by high church officials. Newman is an alcoholic lawyer on the skids, trying to get his life back on track. He stumbles into the fight of his life against some very powerful and corrupt people. Which film is it? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. This film, based on actual events, is about some shady behavior on the part of a public utility company. Their carelessness has poisoned the residents of a small California town, and they are trying to cover it up. Along comes a feisty young single mom, working as a law clerk, who goes on to uncover the truth and obtain justice for the families. Does the story ring a bell? Which movie is it? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This all-time classic 1974 film portrays the corruption often seen in films about the early days of the city of Los Angeles. Jack Nicholson is a detective who becomes involved in a web of murder, greed and other nastiness involving the L.A. water supply. "Chinatown" is the film; who is the director? Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Two young newspaper reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, go up against Washington's most powerful men to uncover the truth about the Watergate scandal. Their story is told in the excellent 1976 film "All The President's Men". Which two actors portray Woodward and Bernstein?

Answer: Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman

Both actors have distinguished themselves in films. Hoffman has two acting Oscars, for "Kramer vs Kramer"(1979) and "Rain Man"(1988). Redford also produces and directs, winning an Oscar as Best Director for "Ordinary People" in 1980. Robert Redford (Woodward) and Dustin Hoffman (Bernstein) do a great job portraying investigative reporters for the Washington Post, the newspaper that probably did the most to bring about the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

What starts out as a simple burglary at the Watergate Hotel and Office complex, ends up toppling an administration that does everything in its considerable power to cover it up. This includes the payment of hush money and abuse of power. The Washington Post was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1973 for its coverage of the scandal.
2. Put together a great story, top-notch actors, brilliant directing, and you get this 2006 film about the Irish Mob and some very corrupt cops. Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson star in this one, "The Departed." Who is the director of this film?

Answer: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese was born in New York in 1942, and planned on becoming a priest before he turned to film-making. He is one of the finest directors of his generation, or any generation. His films include "The Aviator" (2004), "Gangs of New York" (2002), "Goodfellas" (1990), "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988) and "Raging Bull" (1980). He received Academy Award nominations for Best Director for all the above films before winning for "The Departed".
3. The subject of this movie is corruption and brutality in the Arkansas penal system. Robert Redford is the star. He begins the film masquerading as an incoming prisoner, and later reveals himself to be the new warden, bent on cleaning up the hellish conditions within the prison. What's the name of this 1980 film?

Answer: Brubaker

The film is based on a 1969 book written by former warden Tom Murton and author Joe Hyams, "Accomplices To The Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal." It's the true story of a filthy, brutal and crime-ridden prison farm, and the man who attempts to clean it up.

The film also stars Yaphet Kotto, Jane Alexander, and Morgan Freeman, with Nicolas Cage in a very small role in one of his first films. Although Warden Murton achieves some success in his efforts to reform the prison, he also makes some powerful enemies on the prison board.

When several unmarked graves are discovered on the prison grounds, a scandal erupts, and eventually Murton is fired.
4. This 1981 film is the story of Daniel Ciello, a New York police detective who is induced by Internal Affairs to secretly investigate corruption within his own department, and to inform against his fellow officers. Treat Williams plays Ciello, and Sidney Lumet directs this true-life story. Which film is it?

Answer: Prince of the City

Robert Leuci is the real-life policeman who is forced to turn informant after being caught in some minor misbehavior on the job. He insists he will never inform against his partners, but in the end, it doesn't turn out that way. Fifty-two of Leuci's fellow officers are indicted for stealing money from the drug dealers they arrest, for selling drugs, and other related crimes. Two of the indicted officers commit suicide. Treat Williams does a great job in a role that was originally meant to go to Robert De Niro.

It's a very good film.
5. In 1920s Los Angeles, a young boy goes missing. When the police return a boy to the distraught mother, she realizes he isn't her son. A struggle ensues between the mother and the police, and the police do not play fair. The film, based on actual events, is from 2008. Which one is it?

Answer: The Changeling

Clint Eastwood directs this 2008 movie about corrupt politicians and abuse of power by police authorities in the early years of the city of Los Angeles. Based on real life events, the film stars Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich.
The story is harrowing. When Christine Collins (played by Jolie) realizes the boy the police bring to her is not her son, she confronts and challenges them. They respond by having her locked up in a psychiatric ward. Jolie was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.
6. The subject matter of this 1987 film will sound familiar. It's about avarice and unscrupulous business practices in the financial world. The name of the film, "Wall Street". Stockbroker Gordon Gekko, whose motto is "Greed is Good", is played by an actor who won an Oscar for his performance. Who is he?

Answer: Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas also produced "Wall Street". The son of actor Kirk Douglas, he has produced many fine films as well as acting in them. He began his career as an actor on the television show, "The Streets of San Francisco" in 1972, and went on to become a producer of the 1975 film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." That effort won Douglas an Oscar as producer for Best Picture.
He's also starred in "Romancing the Stone" (1984), "The War of the Roses" in 1989, "Basic Instinct" (1992), "Fatal Attraction" (1987) and "The American President" in 1995.
7. In this 1973 film, an idealistic policeman fights corruption on the New York police force. It's based on the experiences of a real-life officer. Just starting out at the time, the actor playing the cop was Al Pacino. What's the name of the film?

Answer: Serpico

Frank Serpico is a 12-year patrolman for the New York City Police Department. Upon being assigned to work as a plainclothes officer, he discovers widespread corrupt behavior among his fellow officers, which he reports to his superiors. This doesn't have the desired result; they don't want to hear about it, but Serpico perseveres. During a drug bust, Serpico is shot in the face under suspicious circumstances.

His colleagues may be involved. He survives, is promoted to detective, and testifies against the corruption on the New York police force. Author Peter Maas wrote a biography of Serpico's experiences.

The film is based on his 1973 book, also entitled "Serpico".
8. Starring one of Hollywood's finest, Paul Newman, this film features a crooked judge and unethical behavior by high church officials. Newman is an alcoholic lawyer on the skids, trying to get his life back on track. He stumbles into the fight of his life against some very powerful and corrupt people. Which film is it?

Answer: The Verdict

Paul Newman gives a fine, Oscar-nominated performance in this role. Jack Warden co-stars as Newman's only remaining friend, and Charlotte Rampling is a mysterious woman who becomes involved with Newman. Lindsey Crouse also appears, and there's a great turn by Milo O'Shea as a villainous judge.

The film is directed by Sidney Lumet, from a screenplay by David Mamet. In addition to Newman's well-deserved Oscar nomination, "The Verdict" received nominations for Lumet as Best Director, James Mason as Best Supporting actor, David Mamet for the screenplay and a nomination for Best Picture.

It's a great movie.
9. This film, based on actual events, is about some shady behavior on the part of a public utility company. Their carelessness has poisoned the residents of a small California town, and they are trying to cover it up. Along comes a feisty young single mom, working as a law clerk, who goes on to uncover the truth and obtain justice for the families. Does the story ring a bell? Which movie is it?

Answer: Erin Brockovich

Of course, Julia Roberts plays the title role in this film, and now owns an Oscar for her performance. Albert Finney co-stars, also Oscar-nominated for his work. The real Erin Brockovich has a small role as a waitress at the beginning of the film.

With three small children, no job and no husband, Erin Brockovich is really down on her luck. She's able to talk herself into a job in a lawyer's office and soon begins to investigate a case against Pacific Gas and Electric. The huge utility company has been illegally dumping toxic waste near people's homes located around a small town in California. Many of the residents have contracted cancer and other serious illnesses. Erin talks her boss into pursuing a class-action lawsuit, and after much hard work and dedication, especially on Erin's part, they win a multi-million dollar settlement against the utility.
10. This all-time classic 1974 film portrays the corruption often seen in films about the early days of the city of Los Angeles. Jack Nicholson is a detective who becomes involved in a web of murder, greed and other nastiness involving the L.A. water supply. "Chinatown" is the film; who is the director?

Answer: Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski has a small role in the film, he's the hood who slices up Nicholson's nose. Some of Polanski's best known films are the 1968 hit "Rosemary's Baby", "Repulsion" (1965) and "The Pianist" (2002), which earned an Oscar for Polanski as Best Director and for the film's star, Adrien Brody, for Best Actor. Polanski was born in Paris, France, of a Polish father and a Russian mother.

When World War II broke out, Roman's parents were sent to concentration camps; his mother perished at Auschwitz. Young Roman escaped and was sheltered by farmers, living in very difficult circumstances.

He reunited with his father when the war ended. He attended film school in Poland as a young man, became an actor, and began directing as well. He worked in Poland, then France and eventually came to Hollywood.
Source: Author robbieh

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Polaris101 before going online.
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