It could have been so much better.That's my seven-word summary of The Baltimore Bullet, a 1980 billiards movie, directed by Robert Ellis Miller, that blatantly cribs from The Hustler, without providing any of that film's richness and depth.First, let's start with the major league cast. The billiards movie stars impeccably-coiffed tough guy James Coburn as Nick Casey (aka "The Baltimore Bullet"), past Oscar nominee Omar Sharif as "The Deacon" (the Minnesota Fats equivalent), and past Oscar nominee Ronee Blakley as Carolina Red. So why couldn't this talented trio breathe life into this tepid film?Next, let's turn to the pool. The opening sequence (shown below) of multiple trick shots, made by pool legend Mike Sigel, according to his official website, is off the hook. And Sigel is but one of nearly a dozen pool greats who appear in the film. Others include Willie Mosconi, Steve Mizerak, Jimmie Mataya, Lou Butera, Irving D. Crane, Allen Hopkins, Pete Margo, Ray Martin, James Rempe, and Richie Florence. On top of that, the movie is located in New Orleans (my favorite city of all time and where I spent countless evenings shooting stick), and features an extended funeral procession second line from the legendary Olympia Brass Band.It should have been so much better.Unfortunately, great cast + great pool players + great location does NOT make a great billiards movie. After the first 30 minutes, the film sags under its own weight of contrived subplots, including random gangsters, a moronic hit-man, and a senseless romance.Finally, the true kiss of death for this movie is the final scene. Even amateur students of pool movies know it ends with the final showdown. Think Fast Eddie Felson and the Fat Man (in The Hustler). Think Mars Callahan and Ricky Schroder's characters (in Poolhall Junkies). But, in this movie, after a rather drawn-out buildup to the final match between the Baltimore Bullet and the Deacon, the director glosses over the game. He shows a few initial shots…and then — bam! — game over. Talk about an epic table scratch.You can read all my billiards movie reviews on my blog "8 Ball on the Silver Screen" at www.billiardsmovies.com.

James Coburn is a pool hustler, and Bruce Boxleitner his protégée, in this enjoyable film. Coburn's living on the edge character, is not unlike his portrayal of "Speed" in "Hard Times". Omar Sharif really does not play as much of a part in this as his second billing might lead you to believe. It is a mistake to be too critical of the actual pool games. Just enjoy "The Baltimore Bullet" for what it is, a very entertaining buddy road movie, that happens to have a theme which involves pool. Michael Lerner deserves special mention, for wearing what can only be described as an abominable toupee. Seek this one out. - MERK

Surely, it's the movie with higher number of pool stars I've ever seen, but Shariff and Boxleitner, seems like rookies playing pool, stance, position, aiming are simply pathetic. Coburn a little bit better. It's ridiculous the way they win people that are legends of this sport like Lou Butera, Steve Mizerak, Jim Rempe and others, I don't know how they were involved on this movie. It surprise me, because Mosconni appears as himself in the movie, as sportscaster, and he was the technical adviser on The Hustler, that it's the best pool movie made ever, but Paul Newman (learning from Willie) and the marvelous Jackie Gleason, who was a very serious pool player, were unforgettable. However, there's one fabulous Coburn's break, calling first ball on corner pocket playing straight pool, that is perfect!!. Sorry about my English if I made many mistakes, I'm not bilingual.Regards

Baltimore Bullet is the best movie about pool hustlers ever produced. James Coburn is fantastic in a role that should have been nominated for an Oscar. But the absolute best in the film is the script. Great lines, always moving plot, all connected in a clever, funny and intriguing manner. Totally new stuff. (see how much directors and writers seemed to have learned from this one.) Other pool hustler movies were star showcases that gave a weak story at best, Baltimore Bullet racks em up. Anyone who watches this will enjoy the heck out of it, and watch it again, and again - I guarantee it! I just saw this for the first time and had not known it existed. At the screening, the host told us how Dolly Parton had been available for the film but the director disapproved. This should be screened at every Coburn retrospective, and also shown on AMC or TCM network. A great surprise find!