The Baltimore Bullet (1980)

That was an excellent one.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

James Coburn is a pool hustler, and Bruce Boxleitner his protégée, in this enjoyable film. Coburn's living on the edge character, is not unlike his portrayal of "Speed" in "Hard Times". Omar Sharif really does not play as much of a part in this as his second billing might lead you to believe. It is a mistake to be too critical of the actual pool games. Just enjoy "The Baltimore Bullet" for what it is, a very entertaining buddy road movie, that happens to have a theme which involves pool. Michael Lerner deserves special mention, for wearing what can only be described as an abominable toupee. Seek this one out. - MERK

Surely, it's the movie with higher number of pool stars I've ever seen, but Shariff and Boxleitner, seems like rookies playing pool, stance, position, aiming are simply pathetic. Coburn a little bit better. It's ridiculous the way they win people that are legends of this sport like Lou Butera, Steve Mizerak, Jim Rempe and others, I don't know how they were involved on this movie. It surprise me, because Mosconni appears as himself in the movie, as sportscaster, and he was the technical adviser on The Hustler, that it's the best pool movie made ever, but Paul Newman (learning from Willie) and the marvelous Jackie Gleason, who was a very serious pool player, were unforgettable. However, there's one fabulous Coburn's break, calling first ball on corner pocket playing straight pool, that is perfect!!. Sorry about my English if I made many mistakes, I'm not bilingual.Regards

Baltimore Bullet is the best movie about pool hustlers ever produced. James Coburn is fantastic in a role that should have been nominated for an Oscar. But the absolute best in the film is the script. Great lines, always moving plot, all connected in a clever, funny and intriguing manner. Totally new stuff. (see how much directors and writers seemed to have learned from this one.) Other pool hustler movies were star showcases that gave a weak story at best, Baltimore Bullet racks em up. Anyone who watches this will enjoy the heck out of it, and watch it again, and again - I guarantee it! I just saw this for the first time and had not known it existed. At the screening, the host told us how Dolly Parton had been available for the film but the director disapproved. This should be screened at every Coburn retrospective, and also shown on AMC or TCM network. A great surprise find!

This is James Coburn at his finest, years before anyone realized what a terrific actor he can be. He also has a classic line: "I taught him everything he knows, but I didn't teach him everything I know." It's "The Hustler" without any Oscars.