The Gambler 1974, James Caan.
Caan plays Axel Freed (cool name but don't let that influence you into thinking its a film about a car mechanic or about cars in general its not) Freed is a college professor who is an addictive gambler. He's never satisfied with a small win, he is always searching for the BIG win. Consequently he's in debt to loan sharks. He loses his girlfriend, breaks his mum's heart and grandfather disown him. In the process he loses any self respect when he asks one of his student to throw a basketball game. In the ultimate gamble he takes, is with his own life. Its a very tense and is a gamble that I would take 9/10 . The film that I remember watching on the BBC in my teenage years, it left an impression and I've never felt compelled to gamble in my life.
I understand that there is a remake of the film starring Mark Wahlberg in the starring role. I have yet to see this film, but I don't think a modern film will compare to the grimy and sleazy original
Ironically I now am unlucky enough to have a couple of friends who are addicted to gambling, be it dominoes, cards, snails racing etc or any number of sports broadcast on the TV. They even had a drunken discussion on which of their circle of friends would die first. Worryingly in their Dead Pool I was deemed the one most likely to peg it first.
It is alleged that when they used to back pack in Australia in their younger years they played soggy biscuit. This does appear to be an urban myth, yet they can recall in detail loudly celebrating the frosting of a digestive in a back packers hostel in Alice Springs.
They never said who won the game, but lets say its one prize I wouldn't want to win. Gamblers, mad as mooses.
Caan plays Axel Freed (cool name but don't let that influence you into thinking its a film about a car mechanic or about cars in general its not) Freed is a college professor who is an addictive gambler. He's never satisfied with a small win, he is always searching for the BIG win. Consequently he's in debt to loan sharks. He loses his girlfriend, breaks his mum's heart and grandfather disown him. In the process he loses any self respect when he asks one of his student to throw a basketball game. In the ultimate gamble he takes, is with his own life. Its a very tense and is a gamble that I would take 9/10 . The film that I remember watching on the BBC in my teenage years, it left an impression and I've never felt compelled to gamble in my life.
I understand that there is a remake of the film starring Mark Wahlberg in the starring role. I have yet to see this film, but I don't think a modern film will compare to the grimy and sleazy original
Ironically I now am unlucky enough to have a couple of friends who are addicted to gambling, be it dominoes, cards, snails racing etc or any number of sports broadcast on the TV. They even had a drunken discussion on which of their circle of friends would die first. Worryingly in their Dead Pool I was deemed the one most likely to peg it first.
It is alleged that when they used to back pack in Australia in their younger years they played soggy biscuit. This does appear to be an urban myth, yet they can recall in detail loudly celebrating the frosting of a digestive in a back packers hostel in Alice Springs.
They never said who won the game, but lets say its one prize I wouldn't want to win. Gamblers, mad as mooses.