MovieChat Forums > Diggstown (1992) Discussion > Midnight Sting

Midnight Sting

posted 19 years ago by joegranby
12 replies | jump to latest

Over here, the U.K it was under the title of Midnight Sting, and as far as I can remember, it went straight to video. This might explain at least why it was not such a big hit or even seen by many when it first came out. I must say that I have yet to see this film, but according to one of my film mags, it is due out on DVD in Dec at a reduced price from last year, under the title - Midnight Sting. A lot of you seem to give it a good review, and I have seen the odd clip on TV, but never actually bothered too much with it. But I do like films that have a con to them. Such as The Sting for example. Anyway, I'll get back to you with my opinion on it soon :) As for one of the other reasons for making this post - I do find the name of the film as we have it - Midnight Sting, to be a better title than Diggstown. What do you think? Take care - Joe :)

[–] bitememan12 19 years ago

Well, Joe, as the movie is based off a novel called "The Diggstown Ringers," I think titling the movie "Diggstown" is a little bit more faithful to what the author intended.

[–] writetohugh 19 years ago

lol, that's a good point. But I have to agree with Midnight Sting. I think it's a better title.

[–] Movie_KING 18 years ago

I think the best title would be: "Brotha bitchslapped whitey" but marketing hated the idea and went with Diggstown.

[–] mark-1237 18 years ago

I think Midnight Sting / Diggstown actually came out in the theaters in the UK, because I remember seeing it therein the theaters, as I was living in England at the time. So I'm pretty sure it wasn't straight to video in the UK. And I prefer the title Midnight Sting, it just rolls off the tongue better. But then again, when I first saw the film that's the title that it had, so that's what I'm used to. I definitely remember thinking this was an underrated movie at the time, but I haven't seen it since it first came out.

[–] txrvmanuel 18 years ago

I find that british people tend to love the word sting, no clue as to why

[–] ged1916 18 years ago

think it went straight to video definately never got a cinema release over here

[–] Endut_Hoch_Hech 18 years ago

Um, I saw it at the Showcase Cinemas in Manchester. It definitely got released in British cinemas under the title MIDNIGHT STING, although it didn't do great business. Check out the box office info from Variety:

MIDNIGHT STING (UNITED KINGDOM HISTORY)
UNITED INTL. PICTURES, 1993

Week Date Range
# of engagements Avg per eng. % change in BO Rank Weekly Box Office Running Total

1 1/22-1/28/1993 124 $1,648 0 $204,356 $204,356

2 1/29-2/4/1993 51 $801 -79% $40,849 $239,328

3 2/5-2/11/1993 9 $1,049 -76% $9,447 $242,172

[–] bitememan12 18 years ago

That's about the same problem it had here in the states. Great movie but it just couldn't attract the business.

Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.

[–] everlone_2000 15 years ago

Yeah, I caught it in the cinema when it came out, back when used to watch pretty much everything as it was released. It definitely had a short theatrical run when it came out in the UK.

[–] mcgill_j 14 years ago

Here's something ODD you Brits may get a kick out of.. I was watching in in the USA (I have ALWAYS loved this movie.. James Woods was just so fantastic.. and I was a HUGE Gossett fan because of Iron Eagle).

BUT.. my love for the flick aside.. saw it playing on an HD film channel and decided to record it.. so I could watch it later.. and the WEIRDEST thing is that the title card on the actual film said "Midnight Sting".. I was like.. what the holy hell?

I guess.. maybe they got the HD transfer from overseas somewhere? IF you haven't seen the flick.. its a fun lil down and dirty lil caper/con flick. more con than caper though.. with some great performances to boot.. Woods, Gossett and Platt.. and also of course Bruce Dern as the most evil of the evil..

anyway.. I just got a kick out of it.

[–] Selish70 15 years ago

Diggstown is a better title than Midnight Sting, but a better title that either would be, "Boxing con-man has old fighter take on 10 dudes in one day in weird rural setting with acute interest in boxing owned by one guy like in Road House."

[–] 14 years ago

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