Hard Knuckle (1988)

• 56%
• 1988
• Science Fiction
• Thriller
• TV Movie
• Steve Bisley
• Gary Day
• David Jay

The Hustler meets Mad Max in this post-apocalyptic Australian sports drama, about drifter Harry (played by Steve Bisley, best known for playing Goose in the first Mad Max film), who uses his more than decent pool skills to survive. The most popular non-lethal sport around is Hard Knuckle, a form of pool, in which a domino tile is positioned upright on a pool table and if it falls during someone's move, that player loses a tip of his finger. However, the player is allowed to continue with the game after that, if he's able and willing to do so. Harry has lost his bike and the only way to get it back is to beat the standing hard knuckle champion called Top Dog. Since he's practically running the games, only those who prove themselves and pay can play with him, so Harry must play smaller games around the shanty town to earn enough cash to be able to pay to play with the big boys. He uses hustling tactics, but they don't always work. He also hires a kid to be his agent, since all serious players must have promoters. Harry is determined to get the bike back, but when he gets a chance to help or hinder Top Dog during one of the matches, he realizes that things aren't as simple as that.