Casinos have been a staple location for moviemakers since the era of black-and-white silent films more than a century ago.
From card games in a Western bar to today’s Big Bass Splash slots, the glamorous, highly-charged atmosphere of casinos has always been valued as adding to a film scene.
The history of casinos in movies
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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The earliest appearances of casinos in movies were in the early 20th century.
One of the earliest examples is from the silent film era. The Cheat, directed by Cecil B. DeMille in 1915, featured dramatic scenes set in an illegal casino den.
By the 1940s and 1950s, the casino was a regular location for directors. With the rise of the film noir genre, casinos began to feature more prominently.
These films often depicted the darker side of life and the more dramatic side of casino gaming. Film noir often features themes of crime, deception, and moral ambiguity.
The Las Vegas Story (1952) and The Lady Gambles (1949) are great examples from this era.
The 1960s saw a significant increase in the depiction of casinos. This coincided with the popularity of heist films and James Bond movies.
Films like Ocean’s 11 (1960) and Dr. No (1962) showcased the glamour of casinos – plus the tension and excitement of high-stakes casino gaming.
Casinos continued to be popular locations in the following decades. Casino (1995), directed by Martin Scorsese, delved into the gritty underworld of Las Vegas and Ocean’s Eleven (2001), directed by Steven Soderbergh, was a modern take on the classic heist.
Why do so many films feature casinos?
Credit: Sony Pictures
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Casinos are often associated with luxury, wealth and excitement. They provide an ideal backdrop for glamorous scenes.
The venues also offer a natural setting for plots such as heists, high-stakes casino gaming, romance and intrigue. The tension and unpredictability of casino gaming can add to any scene.
In a more poetic sense, casinos can symbolize risk-taking, temptation and the allure of easy money. They are iconic landmarks, too, especially Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.
The casino building themselves are always known for extravagant decor, bright lights and opulent interiors. For directors, this can create a visually stunning backdrop from the lavish architecture to the colourful array of slot machines.
The casino atmosphere usually involves the constant buzz of activity, the clinking of chips and the sounds of slot machines. Directors can use this to create tension, whether it’s the excitement of a high-stakes table game or the clandestine dealings in a casino backroom.
At the same time, these venues are rich in symbolism. They represent themes such as risk, luck, temptation and the allure of the unknown.
Directors use these to explore larger ideas like the wage of life, the pursuit of fortune or the consequences of greed.
They also offer narrative opportunities. From heists to betrayals, casinos provide a fertile ground for storytelling. Directors can use the setting for plot twists, conflicts and recording how different characters navigate the high-stakes world of gaming.
They can delve into the psychology and motivations of their characters in such a setting. It’s a way of revealing strengths, weaknesses and moral dilemmas.
Directors can use the casinos to explore issues such as class inequality, corruption and power.
Three of the best examples
Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Casino Royale (2006)
The Poker Game scene where James Bond (portrayed by Daniel Craig) faces off against Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelsen) is memorable.
The high-stakes game is set at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. The tension is palpable as Bond attempts to prevent Le Chiffre from winning back the money he lost.
The scene serves as a battle of wits between the two characters. It’s a gripping sequence that showcases the intensity of casino gaming.
Rain Man (1988)
The Blackjack Scene features Charlie Babbitt (played by Tom Cruise) taking his autistic brother Raymond (portrayed by Dustin Hoffman) to a casino to count cards in blackjack.
Raymond’s ability to calculate probabilities and remember cards shocks Charlie as they start winning big. The tension rises as casino security staff become suspicious.
This scene gains drama due to the high stakes. It also explores the complex relationship between the two brothers and the ethical dilemma of exploiting Raymond’s talent.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
The Bellagio Heist is an iconic scene where Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney) and his team execute a daring heist in Las Vegas.
As the team carries out their elaborate plan to rob the casino vaults during a boxing match, tension builds. The scene is a masterclass in suspenseful filmmaking.
It’s a thrilling and visually stunning sequence that combines action, humour and clever plotting.
These three scenes not only rely on the excitement of casino settings – they also demonstrate why directors choose them so often.
The casino backdrops help the scenes serve as pivotal moments – the casino location actually adds to their dramatic impact.
