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The Hustler [1961]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.90 (subject to change)

Then and now
Review date: 2008-01-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

American films now are routinely full of violence and swearing (though curiously never all that much sex) but are at heart almost invariably juvenile, soft-headed and sentimental. I was shocked by this film - which contains one "Bastard!" and some off-screen violence portrayed by means of a scream - because of the brutal adult honesty of the dialogue and the tough bleak view of human existence. Paul Newman is mesmerising, a great actor and a true star; the histrionics of Damon, Di Caprio, Pitt etc laughable by comparison. George C Scott is maybe even a shade better. The film lets the viewer inhabit a world he wouldn't otherwise know: the seedy smoke-filled pool rooms, gambling tables, bars of a nameless American city. It's not the glossy - and now so often CGI-d - fantasy world that American film has shown ever since I've been old enough to go to the cinema. And the pool itself is truly exciting: the exquisite editing never lets you forget the battle of wills behind every shot. For me it's the first masterpiece of that great age of American cinema that reached its height in the `70s and as iconic a representation of American life at mid-century as `Death of a Salesman'.

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Reviews


Newman perfectly fits in the role of Felson
Review date: 2007-12-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

Newman was born to play cocky, talented and troubled pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson in one of his best roles. Felson has the gift but not the right attitude to make it to the tops in an endless parade of seedy bars and quick action. Superb support by Laurie as his doomed yet supportive lady and Gleason makes it worth the while as pool shark legend Minnesota Fats. Scott is memorably slimy as the slick talking oddsmaker/Satan in disguise. Written and directed with panache by Robert Rossen. Newman, who was nominated for Best Actor, would reprise his role 25 years later in Martin Scorsese's sequel "The Color of Money" and (finally) win the Oscar for Best Actor. Oscar nods went to Laurie, Gleason, Scott and Rossen as well.

Newman / Pool Classic
Review date: 2007-04-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

The cameo from Willie Mosconi adds credibility to this excellent Pool film. This is essentially a love story about a flawed genius who's ability is comprimised because of his character.

Paul Newman plays this part to perfection. Thanks to Mosconis tutoring he is convincing as the excellent Pool hustler that gives Minnesota Fats a run for his money. Newmans defeat, and struggles thereafter gives him the strength to have a better go at beating him the second time around. Felson may beat Fats, but this is not the end of his struggles. Love, Blackmail, Talent and the lengths one goes to win and what it ultimately costs are themes explored in this classic movie.

Together with the Color of Money, filmed 25 years later, they are excellent films set against the backdrop of Pool and gambling. This film started a large upturn in the amount of people who played pool in the 1960's, after you have seen it, you will see why.


hustlers of pool and life
Review date: 2006-02-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

Fast Eddie Felson is the best gambler in American billiard. He’s a pool hustler but that’s only for pure need and survival. Instead, there’s Bert Gordon played by George C Scott, who really is another hustler, much more dangerous as he gambles over the lives of other people. Bert is a rich but destructive businessman as he invests over the talent of other people, as he envies the ability of these persons. Eddie is one of these people, as he’s at last an artist of the sub- world of billiard. When Eddie feels he has played good he feels in heaven, but truly, few people understands him. People who surrounds Eddie only want money, but Eddie wants glory.
But he can’t reach glory only supported by his narrowminded, short sight and modest financial mate, superbly played by Myron McCormick And so, only three people understands Eddie: one is Sarah, a tormented neurotic and lonely girl without love. Sarah, a sensible person, has the intuition Bert Gordon is a cruel man who likes to destroy people which has capacities he’s unable to attain. The third person is paradoxically Minnesota Fats, the other most extraordinary player of pool, and the most hard adversary of Eddie, but truly a loyal enemy, mostly a colleague. All that in a dramatic, even tragic but quiet mood and superb black& white photography.

classic
Review date: 2005-02-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

apart from being a major music fan, im quite fond of films too. Ever since i started to play pool and snooker i looked for a film to go in my collection around this area. I bought color of money and was blown away, later on i heard that the hustler was its prequel and i just had to have it. i was amazed, no wonder this film is so highly regarded. it sets the standard not only for sports but for the excellent acting. Paul newman is fantastic and plays a much livlier role in this film than the sequel. i was delighted with this film and constantly try to pull off the trick shots...on a snooker table. get this film if you like sports, and healthy acting, great storylines. teh dvd has a great menu and great special features. this film is top dog..can't say much else

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Piper Laurie
Paul Newman
Myron McCormick
George C. Scott
Jackie Gleason

Creators:
Paul Newman (Primary Contributor)
Jackie Gleason (Primary Contributor)
Eugen Schüfftan (Cinematographer)
Robert Rossen (Producer)
Robert Rossen (Writer)
Dede Allen (Editor)
Sidney Carroll (Writer)
Walter Tevis (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036009553
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Dubbed, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen,
Release date: 2002-08-19
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 129 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1961-09-25
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)

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