When roulette appears on movies

Roulette is one of the most popular casino table games out there.

The game has been around since the 18th century and almost anybody is familiar with the basic rules, regardless of age, gender or nationality. It is glamorous, fancy and the chances of winning are really high compared to other table games.

It is no wonder that movie makers like scenes around the roulette tables with people cheering and generally having fun. Have you seen any? We asked Szilvia Sultés which five roulette-featuring movies are her favourite. Szilvia is a PR professional, who knows the gambling industry inside and out, and you can read more about her here.

 

1.  Two Missionaries

If you were born in Hungary before the 90s, chances are that Bud Spencer and Terence Hill are your old-time favourite comedy actors. The Italian duo has given the opportunity to countless hours of laughing on very particular style jokes.

The Two Missionaries is one of their least-known movies, but it features Bud Spencer playing roulette with money the pair got in a pawn shop after selling the bishop’s ring they had previously stolen. Terence Hill happens to know the casino owner and points a gun to his head to make him rig the game so that the number Bud Spencer keeps betting on finally wins. The croupier is rather surprised by the jumping roulette ball, but eventually, the pair walk away with a lot of money.

2.  Casablanca

The 1942 classic, shot in black and white, is an early Hollywood success. The movie is set in Nazi-occupied Casablanca during WW2. Casino owner Rick, who is played by Humphrey Bogart, helps a couple win a great amount of money at the roulette table to be able to buy tickets and visas to escape to the United States. The game is rigged and Rick tells the couple to bet all their money on 22, which of course is the winning number.

Just like the movie stars you can also try out your luck at the roulette table. Many online casinos offer the chance at roulette. Before signing up it is always a good idea to check out a reliable review of any casino in Hungary so that you know what to expect.

3.  Diamonds are Forever

This 1971 James Bond movie is another classic when it comes to movies featuring roulette. Bond is often seen playing table games, like poker or baccarat, while enjoying his Martini “shaken, not stirred”. In Diamonds are Forever, the 007 (played by Sean Connery) is at the roulette table at the Whyte House Mansion Casino in Las Vegas, wearing a white suit, where the events eventually unfold.

4.  Indecent Proposal

A game of roulette is exciting and fun, however, in a movie, you always expect the main character to eventually win the game. In this 1992 movie, the opposite happens. Newlywed couple played by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson put their life savings on a game of roulette in the hope of saving their home, but luck doesn’t smile on them. They lose everything and are desperate when a millionaire (played by Robert Redford) offers them 1 million dollars for the chance of spending one night with the man’s wife. They take the offer but it takes a heavy toll on the couple’s relationship.

5.  The Gambler

The Gambler was released in 2014 and it depicts the underground gambling world in Los Angeles. Jim Bennett is a literature professor and serious high-stakes gambler (played by Mark Wahlberg) who needs to borrow money from a loan shark to cover his losses. The movie roulette wheel means life or death now. After being beaten up and losing his mother’s money as well, he risks everything on a single roulette spin, which he wins. He can finally pay back everything he owed and leave the scene broke but debt-free.

 

Glitz and glamour, fun and excitement and a great chance at winning: this is roulette in a nutshell, in movies or in real life. There is no shortage of movies featuring the roulette table. It would be impossible to list all of them but you should definitely watch the above five if you haven’t seen them yet.