Every sports enthusiast needs inspiration from their sports icons. It feels great to see your professional idols in action. In the world of pool, billiard masters always have this elegant image in their exquisite performance on tables. We see them in large competitions in different parts of the world, witnessing the thrills and triumphs. But do we know the secrets behind their success or how they get to be where they are? Although, there may have not been much publicity on the lives and drama of cue champions, a few movies have depicted the hard struggle to fame of pool players behind the camera. In fact, a number of pool novels have become famous motion pictures.

The Hustler was one of the pioneering billiard movies to hit the big screen. This 1964 film, in black and white, gave Paul Newman the break of his career and made him a superstar. The movie tells us about an inspiring pool hustler Fast Eddie Felson (Newman) who went to a series of life’s drama just to grab the spot of an old champ, Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). Fast Eddie thought he had captured the big fish when he came across the unbeatable Fats. The former thought he had the game in his hands. It was the clash of billiard geniuses with large stakes. Unfortunately for the young hustler, he lost all his money to his rich opponent. This takes Fast Eddie to a roller coaster ride of events, trying to get revenge for another match to prove his worth as a skilled cue player.

The sequel to The Hustler helped the sport revived its existence into the public. Also written by Walter Tevis, The Color of Money stars Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise as Vincent Lauria. Vincent finds himself under the influence of Fast Eddie (Newman in The Hustler)who teaches him all the tricks in pool hustling. Eddie realizes that he could make fortune out of Vincent’s promising talent. The once young hustler found himself in a similar situation as loosing against a skilled player and eventually craving for a revenge match. But this time it’s not Eddie who’s holding the cue stick, and it’s Vincent who is now proving his game.

These are only a couple of good pool movies. If you want to know or view some of them, just click here!