As one of the most popular casino games besides poker, the game roulette has featured in a whole host of films over the last few decades. From action-packed cult classics to Hollywood dramas full of glitz and glamour, many genres of film have included the game as a way of adding suspense, drama and entertainment into the mix.
Let’s take a look at some of the best and most memorable films featuring roulette and reminisce about their greatest roulette casino moments.
Diamonds are Forever
A film series known for featuring glamorous casino scenes, first up is iconic James Bond film Diamonds are Forever. Released in 1971, the film was the last one in the series to star Sean Connery as he returned for a final time as legendary MI6 agent James Bond. The roulette scene in the film takes place in Whyte’s grand mansion. James Bond in his entry scene is seen sitting at the roulette table, displaying his usual charisma and charm.
007’s roulette strategy is one still regularly used by players on many of today’s best roulette casino sites at www.bestcasino.uk. It involves flat betting on the same numbers in every round in an attempt to overcome the odds.
The plot centres around Bond working to uncover a diamond smuggling conspiracy. The agent infiltrates the Las Vegas smuggling ring and puts a stop to evil Ernst Blofeld’s plan to use the gems to create a deadly laser. Adopting the fake identity of Peter Franks, Bond works alongside the beautiful smuggler Tiffany Case, played by actress Jill St. John, to undercover the rings operation and prevent Blofeld putting his catastrophic laser plan into action.
Diamonds are Forever grossed an impressive $116 million dollars worldwide and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound.
California Split
Starring actors Elliott Gould and George Segal, the 1974 film California Split is a gambling classic.
Through their mutual love of gambling, Bill Denny and Charlie Walters form a friendship as Bill becomes obsessed with the gambling lifestyle as he tries to follow in experienced player Denny’s footsteps. The pair bond as they are accused of colluding during a game of poker at the casino.
Bill pawns most of his possessions to join Denny for a trip to Reno and play in the biggest game of his life. After earning impressive winnings in games of blackjack, roulette and craps, Bills splits his prize with Denny and parts ways as he heads home disillusioned no longer in love with the casino lifestyle.
The roulette scene can be described as tense and realistic and an educational experience for those looking to get into the game.
The film grossed over $5 million dollars and was nominated for Best Comedy by the Writers Guild of America.
Indecent Proposal
Starring world famous actors Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Robert Redford, the 1993 hit film Indecent Proposal shows the trouble a game of roulette can lead to for those betting more than they can afford.
In the film, newlywed couple David and Diana irresponsibly gamble away their life savings playing roulette. The opportunity to get hold of some cash comes in the form of an indecent proposal from billionaire John Gage. Gage offers the couple $1 million dollars in return for spending the night with Diana.
Desperate for money, the couple feel they have no choice but to accept the offer and sign the contract. The billionaire flies Diana out to his private yacht the following day, he then offers to void the deal if she wins a coin toss with his lucky coin. However, Diana loses and spends the night with Gage.
Consumed by his insecurities, David fears the couple have formed a relationship and tensions between them develop. This results in their divorce and a relationship between Diana and Gage takes off. Nevertheless, Diana soon feels compelled to return to her former husband and when parting ways, Gage gifts Diana his lucky coin, which turns out to be double headed. The film ends with David and Diana reuniting on the pier where David proposed seven years earlier.
While this is an entertaining reminder of the consequences of greed, the film received a fairly negative reception and won awards including Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay.
Run Lola Run
A German cinema classic, the 1998 hit film Run Lola Run can be described as both a thriller and a romance.
Lola, played by actress Franka Potente, has just 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutsche Mark in order to save her boyfriend’s life after a money delivery goes wrong.
The film plays out three different scenarios in which Lola frantically tries to get together the money to save Manni. In the first, Lola and Manni attempt to rob a supermarket but are caught by the police and as a result Lola is shot in the chest.
In episode two, Lola is delayed when she trips over a man with a dog and after a disagreement with her father, she holds him hostage at a bank and demands the 100,000 Deutsche Mark. It all seems to be going to plan until Manni is run over by an ambulance that Lola had distracted in the moments before Manni was hit.
Third time lucky – Lola visits a casino in the third and final scenario. With just a single 100 mark chip, Lola heads straight for the roulette table. Betting all in on the number 20, her luck changes and she wins. She then uses her winnings to continue playing until she has amassed the 100,000 she needs.
Run Lola Run received mainly positive reviews upon its release and has been nominated for a number of awards. These include a BAFTA award for Best Film not in the English Language and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, with other awards also being won at a number of German ceremonies.
