Top 10 Detective Films with Billiards

Description: This classic film features Paul Newman as "Fast Eddie" Felson, a pool shark who gets entangled in a high-stakes game that turns into a psychological battle. The billiard table is not just a setting but a character in itself, reflecting the inner turmoil of the players.

Fact: The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning two. The sequel, "The Color of Money," also features Newman reprising his role.

Description: While primarily a musical, there's a scene where the con artist Harold Hill plays pool, using the game to charm and manipulate the townsfolk, adding a layer of cunning to his character.

Fact: The film was adapted from a Broadway musical and features the iconic song "Seventy-Six Trombones."

Description: While primarily about poker, this film includes a memorable billiards scene where Steve McQueen's character, The Cincinnati Kid, faces off against a seasoned player. The tension at the table mirrors the high stakes of the poker games.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Richard Jessup, and the billiards scene was added to showcase McQueen's skills.

Description: This classic con artist film includes a memorable scene where the characters discuss their plan over a game of billiards, showcasing the strategic mind games involved in their elaborate con.

Fact: The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: Paul Newman returns as Fast Eddie, now mentoring a young pool hustler, played by Tom Cruise. The film delves into the world of high-stakes pool games, where every shot counts in the game of life and deception.

Fact: Newman won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in this film, 25 years after his first nomination for "The Hustler."

Description: Although not strictly a detective film, it involves a studio executive who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery. A key scene involves a billiard game that sets the tone for the film's themes of manipulation and power.

Fact: The film includes numerous cameos from Hollywood stars, and the opening shot is a famous 8-minute continuous take.

Description: This film, while focusing on boxing, has a pivotal scene where the protagonist, a black boxer, plays billiards with his white opponent, symbolizing the racial tensions of the era.

Fact: James Earl Jones was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in this film.

Description: A modern take on the pool hustler genre, this film follows a talented pool player who gets pulled back into the world of underground pool games after a betrayal. The billiard table becomes a battleground for personal redemption.

Fact: The film features real-life pool players like Mike Massey and Tony "The Silent Assassin" Bruno.

Description: A lesser-known film, this one follows a pool hustler who uses his skills to solve a murder mystery, with the billiard table becoming a central element in his detective work.

Fact: The film was shot in various pool halls across the UK, giving it an authentic feel.

Description: This Italian film, dubbed into English, features a group of pool players who get involved in a high-stakes game that turns into a mystery when one of them is found dead. The billiard table is both a setting and a clue.

Fact: The film was directed by Maurizio Lucidi, known for his work in Italian crime films.