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The Hustler

Play trailer Poster for The Hustler 1961 2h 15m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
The story follows 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.
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The Hustler

The Hustler

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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James Powers The Hollywood Reporter Sep 25, 2018
Newman gives a restrained, modulated performance, an unusual one in that character development is sought and achieved with utilization only of voice, gesture, intensity. Go to Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Jan 27, 2016
Rosen, the co-author, has directed with a sure, economical hand. Newman is first-rate. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 28, 2010
4/5
Like a traditional morality play; teens and up. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 12, 2026
4/4
Paul Newman clearly should have won the Oscar for his initial portrayal of Fast Eddie Felson (instead, fifth-billed Maximilian Schell won for a supporting role in Judgment at Nuremberg). Go to Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times Jul 31, 2024
5/5
As a showcase for one of Paul Newman's best screen performances, it's still a masterpiece, with Newman, Jackie Gleason and George C Scott striking sparks in the perfectly captured seedy pool-hall atmosphere. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Feb 26, 2023
3.5/4
...features one of Paul Newman’s most tarnished, self-destructive golden boys. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 This movie is definately a *4 and 1/2* star Movie See more Steve B @RT36942293 Mar 29, 2026 Paul Newman at his brooding best, but George C. Scott as his completely immoral manager fuels the inevitable outcome of pool hustler Newman. In more ways than one. Some great sets, and Jackie Gleason, give us a great feal for the dark underbelly of last century's pool halls and how pool sharks could have actually lived in that environment. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Nov 17, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Isa B @RT32418990 Aug 12, 2025 SPOILER ALERT The Hustler is a truly a great film. Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie and George C. Scott were fantastic in their respective roles. I honestly didn't see Sarah's suicide coming at all. I guess that's very true to life though. It was a tragic turn of events, nevertheless. In the end, Fast Eddie learned how to be a winner. There was an honor among thieves, so to speak, when it came to Minnesota Fats and Fast Eddie. I think The Hustler hit all the right marks. I look forward to seeing the sequel, The Color of Money, directed by none other than the great Martin Scorsese. The sequel, some 27 years in the making, hopefully will live up to its predecessor. I most definitely recommend The Hustler. 94/100 See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 7, 2025 Success in 2.25 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring the late Paul Newman and the late Jackie Gleason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Delete_85 T @RT60775837 Apr 15, 2025 Easily the best movie i think i've ever seen. Incredible symbolism. Incredible acting cinematography writing. Cutting commentary of the human condition. Remarkable. Exquisite. A poetic synecdoche of the ordinary. Majestic. I cannot recommend it enough. Cinema in a beautiful form. See more Read all reviews
The Hustler

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Rossen

Director

Paul Newman

'Fast' Eddie Felson

Jackie Gleason

Minnesota Fats

George C. Scott

Bert Gordon

Piper Laurie

Sarah Packard

Myron McCormick

Charlie Burns

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The Hustler

The Hustler (1961) The Hustler (1961) The Hustler (1961) The Hustler (1961) A scene from The Hustler. A scene from The Hustler. A scene from The Hustler. A scene from The Hustler. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The story follows 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.
Director
Robert Rossen
Producer
Robert Rossen
Screenwriter
Sidney Carroll, Robert Rossen, Walter Tevis
Distributor
20th Century Fox, Key Video
Production Co
Rossen Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 25, 1961, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Runtime
2h 15m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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