Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were two rival Chicago film critics whose national television show made them the most popular movie critics in the country for more than two decades. Their trademarked “Thumbs Up” or “Thumbs Down” was the definitive film review each week for millions of viewers.  A contentious relationship that began at competing newspapers spilled onto the screen taking the form of heated debates and reluctant agreements.

Many viewers took sides. Do you agree more with the tall, thin bald guy (Siskel) or the shorter, heavier guy with glasses (Ebert)? Although they agreed more than they disagreed, what made their discussions exceptional was their authenticity and passion with which they were delivered.   Their arguments were never made for the sake of arguing and although they lived and worked in Chicago, their influence was keenly felt and often feared by the movie industry on both coasts.

Siskel and Ebert originated the format of two people arduously discussing the same subject but the chemistry between these two equally- matched smart combatants has never been equaled.