An arrogant and amoral hustler haunts pool rooms to get a crack at bringing down Minnesota Fats. When he starts to have real feelings for a woman, he's faced with a dilemma. See THE COLOR OF MONEY, an excellent sequel made 25 years later, for which Newman won Best Actor. Academy Award Nominations: 9, including Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actor, Paul Newman; Best Adapted Screenplay.
Theatrical Release: September 25, 1961
THE HUSTLER was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1997.
Paul Newman lost the Best Actor Oscar to Maximilian Schell who won the Academy Award in 1961 for his role in JUDGMENT AT NUREMBURG.
Willie Mosconi served as the technical advisor for the film; Marguerite James was the script supervisor; Muky did the still photography; and optical effects were done by Film Opticals.
Shot in CinemaScope.
In his 1995 memoir, "My American Journey," General Colin Powell lists THE HUSTLER as one of his favorite films.
DVD Features:
2-Disc Set
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Mono - English, French, Spanish
Stereo - English
Subtitles - Spanish - Optional
Disc 1: THE HUSTLER - Theatrical Presentation
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary: Including Dede Allen - Editor; Stefan Gierasch, Paul Newman - Stars; Ulu Grosbard - Assistant Director
Disc 2: THE HUSTLER - Supplemental Material
Additional Release Material:
Documentary: "Paul Newman: Hollywood's Cool Hand"
Featurette:
1. "Life in the Fast Lane: Fast Eddie Felson and The Search for Greatness"
2. "Swimming with Sharks: The Art of the Hustle"
3. "How to Make the Shot" (5 parts)
Behind the Scenes:
1. "Milestones in Cinema History: The Making of THE HUSTLER"
2. "THE HUSTLER: The Inside Story"
Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Spanish Language Theatrical Trailer
3. Previews - The Films of Paul Newman
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos: Behind the Scenes (9)
Director of Photography
Eugen Schufftan:
Source Writer
Walter S. Tevis: Author\"Color of Money"
Production Designer
Harry Horner: Prod. Designer/Director
Review 1:
"...Shot with virtuoso pace, the tussles between Eddie and Minnesota Fats are superb..."
Source: Total Film
p.128 11/01/2003
Review 2:
"...Newman bravely reveals the demons lurking beneath his devil-may-care exterior..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.53 06/07/2002
Review 3:
4 stars out of 4 -- "[A] powerful character study of a man at war with himself, wrestling win back his self-respect."
Source: Uncut
p.156 10/01/2006
Review 4:
5 stars out of 5 -- "THE HUSTLER marks the birth of an anti-hero in Newman, and is a dazzling, provocative and seminal piece of American cinema."
Source: Ultimate DVD
p.120 10/01/2006