Customer Reviews

Baltimore Bullet [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I give this movie four stars because it accomplishes its goal of being a light-hearted pool hustler movie. It doesn't pretend to be the deep analysis of competition or the morality tale that The Hustler was, and in that light it's mindless fun.

James Coburn plays an ace pool hustler, and Bruce Boxleitner is his protege. Together they go on the road in pursuit of a high-stakes game with a big roller (Omar Sharif). The tournament segment of the movie features appearances by Willie Mosconi, Steve Mizerak, Jim Rempe, and several other pool luminaries. Pool fans are also treated to plenty of nice trick shots.

Any movie about pool players risks being compared with the two Paul Newman "fast Eddie"movies namely "The Hustler" and its sequel "The Color of Money", Temptation to make such comparisons with these movies when approaching this picture should be resisted because they were quite weighty affairs whereas The Baltimore Bullet is a lighter work entirely.
James Coburn plays "Nick Casey" a pool hustler whose protege is "Billie Joe Robbins" -played by Bruce Boxleitner .They tour the pool halls of America taking on all comers but with one over arching aim -namely to raise the $20,000 it will take to challenge "The Deacon"(Omar Sharif)the game's acknowledged Mr Big during an upcoming tournament .
The structure is a bit repetitious with a great many pool hall scenes and the sub-plots involving gangsters and the drug trade tends to slow things down .On balance however this is an okay time passer which gets by on the charm of its leading players ,including the under-rated Ronee Blakely as a lady pool player
Pool greats -including Willy Mosconi -pop up as themselves in cameo roles to add a modicum of authenticity to an acceptable piece of slick formula moviemaking

Movie is over 30 years old ( 1980) impress that it has held up so well. Quick delivery and price. Love it because I am a pool player.

Not a great movie unless you are a pool fan.
Anything with James Coburn can't be all bad.

My mistake but I did not understand from the decription what was meant by Non-USA format. This movie is not playable with my DVD players.