The Hustler

1961, Drama, 2h 15m

48 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason give iconic performances in this dark, morally complex tale of redemption. Read critic reviews

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The Hustler Photos

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Movie Info

Story Fast Eddie Felsen (Paul Newman) and his adventures in the world of professional pool. Fast Eddie is a young hopeful on his way to challenging Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) for his world title. When he starts getting feelings for a woman he gets into a dilemma.
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Robert Rossen
  • Producer:
    Robert Rossen
  • Writer:
    Sidney Carroll, Robert Rossen, Walter Tevis
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    20th Century Fox, Key Video
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Paul Newman
"Fast" Eddie Felson
Jackie Gleason
Minnesota Fats
George C. Scott
Bert Gordon
Piper Laurie
Sarah Packard
Myron McCormick
Charlie Burns
Murray Hamilton
Oames Findley
Michael Constantine
Big John
Stefan Gierasch
Preacher
Jake LaMotta
Bartender
Gordon B. Clarke
Cashier
Alexander Rose
Score Keeper
Carolyn Coates
Waitress
Vincent Gardenia
Bartender
Willie Mosconi
Willie (uncredited)
Robert Rossen
Director
Sidney Carroll
Screenwriter
Robert Rossen
Screenwriter
Robert Rossen
Producer
Eugen Schüfftan
Cinematography
Dede Allen
Film Editing
Walter Tevis
Writer
Kenyon Hopkins
Original Music
Harry Horner
Production Design
Albert Brenner
Art Director
Gene Callahan
Set Decoration
Ruth Morley
Costume Design
Ulu Grosbard
Assistant Director
Jim Shields
Sound
Dick Vorisek
Sound
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Hustler

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (2)
Full Review… James Powers Hollywood Reporter Full Review… Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Arthur Ryel-Lindsey Slant Magazine Full Review… Derek Adams Time Out Full Review… Bosley Crowther New York Times Full Review… Roger Moore Movie Nation Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Manny Farber The New Leader Full Review… Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Full Review… Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Full Review… Sean Axmaker Seanax.com
View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for The Hustler

  • Jun 24, 2019
    A truly amazing story of a pool shark grifter who finds himself along a painful journey. One of the finest directed movies I've ever seen (Robert Rossen) as its carefully crafted in every way.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • May 25, 2016
    Paul Newman is at his best playing "Fast" Eddie Felson; a degenerate gambler who shoots pool to make a living. A sad but entertaining film made even more impressive by the knowledge that Newman and Gleason mainly played the shots themselves.
    Peter B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 07, 2015
    With an exceptional cast - most especially Paul Newman and Piper Laurie in outstanding performances -, this is a profoundly compelling and richly complex character study about an arrogant, self-destructive anti-hero in search of his own "character" and finding it in a most painful way.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 21, 2013
    Before bringing down the character in the Color of Money, Newman creates a great pool shark in Fast Eddie Felson. The showdown with Minnesota Fats has a wonderful buildup and gives us good tension for the final battle.
    John B Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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