Gambling Movies that are Based on True-life Events
Do you enjoy gambling movies? If so, have you ever wondered which ones are based on true-life events?
Gambling movies have always been considered classics in the film industry. They are usually filled with action, drama, and suspense. Regardless of whatever title you think of, you can guarantee it will have almost all of these elements (if not all of them) included within the movie. It really should not come as a surprise, though, given how popular of a pastime the activity is.
Naturally, many players around the world continue to enjoy themselves at casinos playing their favorite games and recent years have allowed them to enjoy this activity even further. For instance, many are now playing on the internet after checking out the Gamble Online Australia Casino reviews that have been made in order to find the best platforms to use, while many continue to visit traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.
Therefore, it is far from shocking to see that there are a number of different films to have been produced regarding this theme. Additionally, given that the story has already been told, it can be a great starting point for movie directors, too, while also capturing the attention and appeal of viewers as they can watch something knowing that it had actually happened.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most popular gambling movies and discuss which ones are based on true stories. We will also provide a brief synopsis of each movie to help you decide if it is something that you would like to watch. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Casino (1995)
Casino is one of the most popular gambling movies of all time. It stars Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a Jewish-American gambler who is chosen to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas by the Italian mob.
The movie is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, which tells the story of real-life casino boss Frank Rosenthal.
While Ace’s character is based on Rosenthal, De Niro’s performance was also inspired by another real-life figure, Anthony Spilotro. Spilotro was an underworld figure who ran a group of thieves that were responsible for some of the most notorious crimes in Las Vegas history.
The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $116 million at the box office. It is considered one of the best films ever made about casino life and the mob.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Molly’s Game is a relatively new gambling movie, having been released in 2017. It stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, a former professional skier who turns to running high-stakes poker games after she is injured.
The movie is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, who was arrested in 2013 for her involvement in an illegal gambling operation. She wrote a memoir about her experiences, which was later adapted into the screenplay for the film.
Molly’s Game was well-received by critics and grossed over $59 million at the box office. If you are looking for a gambling movie that is based on a true story, this is definitely one to check out.
21 (2008)
21 is a 2008 gambling movie that stars Jim Sturgess as Ben Campbell, a brilliant MIT student who is recruited by a professor to join a team of students who use card counting to win money in Las Vegas.
The movie is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, which was founded in 1980. The team consisted of students and ex-students from MIT, Harvard, and other Ivy League schools who used their skills to win millions of dollars from casinos.
21 was a commercial success, grossing over $159 million at the box office. It received mixed reviews from critics but is worth watching if you are interested in seeing a gambling movie based on a true story.
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story is a 2003 gambling movie that tells the story of Stu Ungar, a professional poker player who is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time
The movie is based on the true story of Stu Ungar, who was born into a poor family but quickly rose to the top of the poker world. He won the World Series of Poker Main Event three times and is considered to be one of the most talented poker players ever.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a number of different films to have incorporated the gambling theme and the real-life events that have led to them happening. There is no doubt that there are many more that can be discussed on this list, however each of the four that have been chosen above are among the favorites that many movie enthusiasts have enjoyed since they were released.
