# The Hustler

> 1961 film by Robert Rossen

**Wikidata**: [Q1130084](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1130084)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hustler)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-hustler

## Summary
The Hustler is a 1961 American drama film directed by Robert Rossen, based on the 1959 novel by Walter Tevis. It stars Paul Newman as "Fast Eddie" Felson, a small-time pool hustler who challenges the legendary Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) in a high-stakes match.

## Key Facts
- Release dates: January 1, 1961 (premiere), September 25, 1961 (New York), October 26, 1961 (general release), December 5, 1961 (wide release)
- Director: Robert Rossen
- Based on: 1959 novel by Walter Tevis
- Lead actor: Paul Newman as "Fast Eddie" Felson
- Supporting cast: Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats, Piper Laurie as Sarah Packard, George C. Scott as Bert Gordon
- Production company: 20th Century Fox
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Drama film, sport film
- Runtime: 134 minutes
- Budget: $7.6 million
- Box office: $2.1 million (domestic)
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
- National Film Registry: Selected for preservation in 1997
- Academy Award nominations: 9 (won Best Cinematography)
- BAFTA Award: Best Film nomination
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films of 1961
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39 language editions

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Hustler?**
The film follows "Fast Eddie" Felson, a talented but arrogant pool hustler who challenges the legendary Minnesota Fats to a marathon match. After losing and being exploited by a gambler named Bert Gordon, Eddie must confront his own flaws and decide what winning truly means to him.

**Who are the main actors and their roles?**
Paul Newman stars as "Fast Eddie" Felson, Jackie Gleason plays Minnesota Fats, Piper Laurie portrays Sarah Packard (Eddie's love interest), and George C. Scott appears as Bert Gordon, the manipulative gambler who becomes Eddie's manager.

**What awards and recognition did The Hustler receive?**
The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning Best Cinematography for Eugen Schüfftan. It also received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film and was named one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1961. In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

**How was The Hustler received by critics and audiences?**
The Hustler was critically acclaimed upon release, praised for its performances, direction, and cinematography. It maintains a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.7/10 rating on IMDb, indicating enduring popularity and critical respect.

**What is the significance of The Hustler in film history?**
The Hustler is considered a classic of American cinema, notable for its realistic portrayal of pool hustling, its exploration of ambition and self-destruction, and its influence on subsequent sports dramas. It helped establish Paul Newman as a major star and remains a benchmark for character-driven sports films.

## Why It Matters
The Hustler matters as a landmark American drama that transcends its sports setting to explore universal themes of ambition, integrity, and self-worth. The film's realistic portrayal of pool hustling brought authenticity to the sports genre, influencing countless subsequent films about competition and personal struggle. Paul Newman's performance as "Fast Eddie" Felson became iconic, establishing him as one of Hollywood's premier actors and creating a character that would be revisited in the 1986 sequel "The Color of Money." The film's exploration of the psychological toll of competition and the moral compromises required for success resonates beyond its specific context, making it relevant to audiences across generations. Its technical achievements, particularly the innovative cinematography that captured the tension and atmosphere of pool halls, set new standards for sports filmmaking. The Hustler also matters culturally as a document of 1960s American masculinity and the changing social landscape, while its preservation in the National Film Registry ensures its continued influence on filmmakers and audiences.

## Notable For
- **Paul Newman's breakthrough**: Established Newman as a major Hollywood star and created his most iconic role
- **Cinematographic innovation**: Won Academy Award for Best Cinematography using groundbreaking techniques to capture pool games
- **Character depth**: Explored complex psychological themes rarely seen in sports films of its era
- **Cultural impact**: Influenced the portrayal of pool and pool halls in American popular culture
- **Sequel legacy**: Spawned the 1986 sequel "The Color of Money," also starring Newman
- **Critical acclaim**: Maintains near-universal critical praise with 94% Rotten Tomatoes score
- **Historical preservation**: Selected for the National Film Registry in 1997 for cultural significance
- **Acting showcase**: Featured career-defining performances from Newman, Gleason, Laurie, and Scott
- **Genre influence**: Set the template for character-driven sports dramas that followed
- **Box office success**: Earned $2.1 million domestically against a $7.6 million budget

## Body

### Production and Creative Team
The Hustler was directed by Robert Rossen, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Sidney Carroll, adapting Walter Tevis's 1959 novel of the same name. The film was produced by 20th Century Fox, one of Hollywood's major studios at the time. Rossen's direction emphasized character psychology and moral complexity, creating a film that was as much about personal redemption as it was about pool hustling.

### Cast and Performances
Paul Newman stars as Edward "Fast Eddie" Felson, a role that would define his career and earn him his first Academy Award nomination. Jackie Gleason delivers a memorable performance as Minnesota Fats, the legendary pool player Eddie challenges. Piper Laurie plays Sarah Packard, a troubled alcoholic who becomes romantically involved with Eddie, while George C. Scott portrays Bert Gordon, the cold and manipulative gambler who sees Eddie's potential as a money-making asset. The ensemble cast's performances were widely praised, with all four leads receiving Academy Award nominations.

### Cinematography and Visual Style
The film's cinematography, by Eugen Schüfftan, won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Schüfftan employed innovative techniques to capture the tension and atmosphere of pool halls, using low-angle shots and careful lighting to emphasize the psychological drama of the games. The film's visual style helped establish the aesthetic template for sports dramas, with its focus on the physical and emotional intensity of competition.

### Release and Reception
The Hustler premiered on January 1, 1961, with its New York release on September 25, 1961, followed by general release on October 26, 1961, and wide release on December 5, 1961. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning nine Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting nominations for all four leads. It won the Oscar for Best Cinematography. The film's critical reception has remained overwhelmingly positive, with a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.7/10 rating on IMDb.

### Genre and Themes
The Hustler is classified as both a drama film and a sport film, though it transcends typical genre conventions. While centered on pool hustling, the film explores deeper themes of ambition, integrity, self-destruction, and redemption. It examines the psychological toll of competition and the moral compromises required for success, making it relevant beyond its specific sporting context. The film's exploration of masculinity, identity, and personal worth has contributed to its enduring significance.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Hustler has had a lasting impact on American cinema and popular culture. It helped establish the template for character-driven sports dramas, influencing films like "Rocky," "Raging Bull," and "The Wrestler." The film's portrayal of pool hustling brought authenticity to the genre and influenced subsequent depictions of pool halls in American media. Paul Newman's performance as "Fast Eddie" Felson became iconic, leading to his reprisal of the role in the 1986 sequel "The Color of Money," for which he finally won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

### Preservation and Recognition
In 1997, The Hustler was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." This recognition ensures the film's continued availability for future generations and acknowledges its importance to American cinema. The film has also been recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 1961 and received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 134 minutes and was produced with a budget of $7.6 million. It earned $2.1 million at the domestic box office. The film's technical achievements, particularly in cinematography, set new standards for sports filmmaking and contributed to its critical success.

### Related Works
The Hustler is connected to its source material, Walter Tevis's 1959 novel, and its sequel, "The Color of Money" (1986), directed by Martin Scorsese and also starring Paul Newman. The film is part of the broader category of drama films and sport films, and it has influenced numerous subsequent works in these genres.

### Distribution and Availability
The film has been distributed across multiple platforms and maintains a presence in various media databases. It has entries on IMDb (tt0054997), Rotten Tomatoes, and other film review sites. The film's preservation in the National Film Registry ensures its continued availability for study and appreciation.

### Critical Analysis
Film scholars have noted The Hustler's exploration of American themes such as the pursuit of success, the cost of ambition, and the search for identity. The film's realistic portrayal of pool hustling and its psychological depth set it apart from typical sports films of its era. Critics have praised its performances, particularly Newman's portrayal of Eddie's transformation from arrogant hustler to self-aware individual. The film's examination of masculinity and personal worth continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054997/)
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