Roulette is one of the most popular casino games around and played by many people globally. As a game, it is believed to have originated in 18th-century France before spreading across Europe and eventually the world. Players seem to love roulette as it is simple to understand, can be a game where the house edge is lower and is simply exciting to watch or play. The visual excitement that the spinning roulette wheel provides as we wait for the ball to drop has also made it a favourite with filmmakers over the years.
When paired with a glamorous casino setting, this game can add some comedy or drama to any movie. Watching it on film can also help you to learn about the game and how it works in order to play in real life. With modern online casinos, you do not even have to leave the house to do this. If you fancy trying out some top online roulette sites, you can find the real deal here.
Before that, you may want to sit down to first watch the game in some movies. Of course, some films have done this better than others and there are some real standout roulette scenes to enjoy in Hollywood history. But which are the five most amazing you need to see?
Diamonds Are Forever
James Bond films are synonymous with casino scenes! The casino was where we first met Bond in Dr. No, and the super spy taking time out to enjoy a game of Chemin de Fer or Baccarat has been a constant ever since. When it comes to roulette specifically though, it is the 1971 Diamonds Are Forever with Sean Connery that stands out. Here, Bond enters the Whyte House mansion to play, oozing charisma. As he takes to the roulette table, we not only see his betting strategy in action but also watch as the drama unfolds around him.
Run Lola Run
Moving ahead to slightly more modern times, we have this art-house German classic. Released in 1998, it stars Franka Potente as the title character, Lola. Running around the streets of Berlin in an effort to raise money to pay off her boyfriend’s debts, she enters a casino for one memorable scene. Heading to the roulette table, Lola puts her only 100-mark chip on the number 22 and waits. The tension is palpable, especially as we know what is at stake, and this makes it even more amazing when she wins!
Casablanca
Some films are real Hollywood old-school classics and Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart is one. Released in 1942, it tells the tale of Bogarts’ bar owner Rick and the plans some try to hatch in order to escape German-occupied Casablanca in World War II. There is a classic scene in this film, which sees two players gamble everything they have at the wheel in order to win the money to flee. Rick sets the game up so they win on 22 and they are able to leave with their money and get back to America.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
A forgotten classic in many ways, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels came out in 1988 and was later turned into a musical. It has two awesome performances from Steve Martin and Michael Caine at its heart, which is never a bad thing. Their characters are two con men based on the French Riviera who play out a bet to not only swindle a woman out of her money but also to be the last one standing in the region. One memorable scene has them playing at a swanky casino at the roulette wheel. The real talking point is Martin’s character pretending to be wheelchair bound in order to win over the woman they are both pursuing! As the audience knows what is really happening, this makes it a funny scene to watch while the ball spins.
Indecent Proposal
When it comes to unforgettable roulette scenes, you cannot ignore this film. Released in 1993, this movie starred Demi Moore, Robert Redford and Woody Harrelson. It sees Moore and Harrelson’s characters blow all their life savings on a game of roulette in Las Vegas. While the casino action and ensuing drama is riveting, it is the indecent proposal Redford’s character has afterwards for them that is most memorable.
Roulette and films make the perfect match
There is no doubt that the glamour and visual excitement of roulette makes it the perfect game to be used in films. With this in mind, it is no surprise to see that many directors over the years have realised this and used it to their advantage. If you want to get up to speed with some of the best movies to have done this, the above are highly recommended.