The Gambler

19741974
RR
1h 51min

The Gambler (1974)

Axel Freed is a literature professor. He has the gambling vice. When he has lost all of his money, he borrows from his girlfriend, then his mother, and finally some bad guys that chase him. ... Read allAxel Freed is a literature professor. He has the gambling vice. When he has lost all of his money, he borrows from his girlfriend, then his mother, and finally some bad guys that chase him. Despite all of this, he cannot stop gambling.Axel Freed is a literature professor. He has the gambling vice. When he has lost all of his money, he borrows from his girlfriend, then his mother, and finally some bad guys that chase him. Despite all of this, he cannot stop gambling.

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Lauren Hutton publicity photo for "The Gambler"

James Caan in The Gambler (1974)

James Caan in The Gambler (1974)

Lauren Hutton in The Gambler (1974)

James Woods, James Caan, and Jacqueline Brookes in The Gambler (1974)

Jacqueline Brookes in The Gambler (1974)

Lauren Hutton in The Gambler (1974)

The Gambler (1974)

James Caan in The Gambler (1974)

James Caan, Starletta DuPois, and Antonio Fargas in The Gambler (1974)

Antonio Fargas in The Gambler (1974)

Paul Sorvino in The Gambler (1974)

California Split

7.2

California Split

Night Moves

7.1

The Hot Rock

6.8

The Gambler

6.1

Croupier

7.1

Cutter's Way

6.9

The Silent Partner

7.4

The Silent Partner

Any Number Can Play

6.8

Any Number Can Play

The Gambler

6.4

Minnie and Moskowitz

7.3

Minnie and Moskowitz

Fat City

7.3

Dark City

6.7

Axel Freed, a college professor and very successful at his job, is addicted to gambling, who wins big, but loses it all just as fast. He borrowed from his girlfriend, his wealthy mother, and last but not least a loan shark. It just gets worse for him because he can't stop. But when his girlfriend decides to leave him, his mom decides to disown him, and the mob wants to kill him, Axel decides to make a big score to win big and pay off everyone to stay alive and keep his dignity and come out ahead. —Wesley Benton

two word title basketball player basketball african american basketball game 118 more

Taglines
- For $10,000 they break your arms. For $20,000 they break your legs. Axel Freed owes $44,000.
Genres
- Crime
- Drama
Certificate
- R
Parents guide

Trivia
According to James Toback, before his screenplay was accepted at Paramount Pictures, and was making the rounds with actors, Peter Boyle was first interested in playing the lead. Robert De Niro lobbied hard for the role, to the point where De Niro started to dress like the writer. Toback pressured director Karel Reisz to meet with De Niro. After meeting him, Reisz said that he would not, and could not consider De Niro for the role, and if Toback kept insisting, he would not be allowed to collaborate on the film further.

Goofs
Axel knocks the pimp's hat off on the second punch. It reappears on his head on the following one.

Quotes
Hips: [following the big college basketball game, in which Spencer Lewis has shaved points for the Mafia to pay off Axel's gambling debt] ... Okay, we're in the clear. In fact, you might just have a couple of favors coming your way.
Axel Freed: How's that? What do you mean?
Hips: What are you, naive? This Lewis kid's got maybe a year or two left before he makes the NBA. You think my friends are gonna let him just slip through their fingers, after a night like this?
Axel Freed: He did it for ME. He won't do it again.
Hips: Ah, quit lying to yourself. Once you ain't a virgin no more, you're a whore till you die.

Connections
Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Gambling Movies (2014)

Soundtracks
Symphony No. 1 in D
by Gustav Mahler (as Mahler)
Performed by Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (as The Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Conducted by Bernard Haitink (as Haitink)
Courtesy of Philips Records

Top review

9/10

excellent character study, caan can act

a shocker in the 70s james toback's take on Dostoevskyan's fate, caan actually seems to act instead of react and gives a far more compelling performance than say, Thief 7 yrs. later. The Gambler is James toback's career making debut and has some of the most intense scenes toback would ever film despite numerous strong films later on. the ending is monumental. watch it build and be amazed. 9 of 10.

helpful•9

1

mikel weisser
Jun 25, 2002

Release date
- February 17, 1975 (Denmark)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Kockar
Filming locations
- Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
Production company
- Paramount Pictures
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Gross US & Canada
- $1,305,782

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 51min
Sound mix
- Mono
Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1

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