Crossclimb 743 Answer & Solution Guide
Answer: REEL FILM 🌟
🎮 Puzzle Overview
Today's Crossclimb puzzle #743 features a word ladder connecting FILM (top) to REEL (bottom). The theme clue reveals the answer: "A two-word phrase for a round spool wound with celluloid that was used to show movies in theatres before digital projection." — REEL FILM!
The five intermediate words each change just one letter from the previous, forming a classic Crossclimb ladder.
🪜 Complete Word Ladder
| Position | Word | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Top | FILM | (top row — part of the answer) |
| 2 | FILL | ___ in the blank |
| 3 | FELL | Tumbled to the ground |
| 4 | SELL | Transfer an object in exchange for money |
| 5 | SEAL | An animal with flippers |
| 6 | REAL | Not fake |
| Bottom | REEL | (bottom row — part of the answer) |
🧠 Player Solution Walkthrough
Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle
The top word is FILM and the bottom is REEL. The clue hints at a two-word phrase related to old-school movie projection — that's REEL FILM (a reel of film). The trick here is that the first word (REEL) is at the bottom, not the top.
Step 2: Starting from the Middle
The middle clues are fairly accessible. "___ in the blank" is almost certainly FILL — a common phrase everyone knows. From FILM to FILL, just change the M to an L.
Step 3: Connecting to the Ends
From FILL, "Tumbled to the ground" = FELL (change I → E). Then "Transfer an object in exchange for money" = SELL (change F → S). "An animal with flippers" = SEAL (change L → A at position 3, wait — SELL to SEAL changes the second L to A). Finally, "Not fake" = REAL (change S → R). And REAL → REEL is just changing A → E.
Step 4: The Full Ladder
FILM → FILL → FELL → SELL → SEAL → REAL → REEL
Each step changes exactly one letter. Clean and satisfying.
Step 5: Answer
The top (FILM) + bottom (REEL) = REEL FILM — a round spool wound with celluloid used to project movies in theatres before everything went digital. 🎬
📚 Word Reference
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FILM | A thin layer or coating; also a movie |
| FILL | To make full; to occupy space completely |
| FELL | Past tense of "fall"; to cut down a tree |
| SELL | To exchange goods for money |
| SEAL | A marine mammal with flippers; also to close tightly |
| REAL | Genuine; not fake or artificial |
| REEL | A cylinder around which thread, film, or wire is wound |
❓ FAQ
Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 743? A: The answer is REEL FILM — a phrase for a round spool wound with celluloid used in old movie projectors.
Q2: How many steps are in the word ladder? A: There are 7 words total: FILM → FILL → FELL → SELL → SEAL → REAL → REEL (6 transitions).
Q3: Why is REEL at the bottom instead of the top? A: The clue notes "The first word may be at the bottom." In REEL FILM, REEL is the first word but sits at the bottom of the ladder. This is a common Crossclimb trick.
Q4: What changed between each word? A: FILM→FILL (M→L), FILL→FELL (I→E), FELL→SELL (F→S), SELL→SEAL (second L→A), SEAL→REAL (S→R), REAL→REEL (A→E). One letter change each time.
Q5: Is it "film reel" or "reel film"? A: Both exist, but the puzzle specifies REEL FILM — referring to a reel wound with film celluloid. "Film reel" is also common in everyday speech.
🎯 Strategy Tips
- Start from the middle — "___ in the blank" (FILL) is the easiest clue to lock in first
- Work both directions — once you have FILL, go up (FILM) and down (FELL → SELL → SEAL → REAL → REEL)
- Watch for the reversal trick — the clue says "first word may be at the bottom," so read bottom-to-top for the answer phrase
- One letter at a time — each transition changes exactly one letter, so if you're stuck, compare adjacent words letter by letter
- Common words only — Crossclimb uses everyday English; don't overthink obscure vocabulary