The Brinks Job/ William Freidkins hugely underated 1978 movie
Also
A Nightingale sang in Berkerley Square A.K.A. The Biggest Bank Robbery 1979 Staring David Niven and Gloria Grahame in her last movie role
Loophole a 1981 thriller directed by John Questead and starring Albert Finney and Marin Sheen
$ or Dollars Directed By Richard Brooks and Starring Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn
all are vastly underated
I’m really surprised that only one person mentioned Asphalt Jungle. Is that because none of the rest of you have seen it? In which case, see it now! It’s the template (and then some) that most of the other movies you’re referring to refer back to.
Two other great ones both by Melville: Bob le Flambeur and Le Cercle Rouge.
Absolutely it’s the template. The first true caper/heist film, as we know it and are discussing it now.
Aye, and lots of great noirs are also amongst the ‘best heist movies’.
Assalto ao Trem Pagador is great, although the robbery takes place before and during the opening credits!!
I really love to cite, everytime I get the chance, Odds Against Tomorrow, one of the greatest films ever made (often forgotten), and a Melville’s favourite, in fact.
Mike Leigh:
I’d love to experience “Blue Collar” in its entirety. It was on very late night television once and I stumbled onto it, but I was feeling too lethargic to stay with it. You know, I’d rather see it when I’m fully tuned in…it looked brilliant, though.
However, you’re right about those opening titles…and it’s a rare film these days. I can only recall one place in my city that’s ever had it (to purchase, not rent) on D.V.D.
As long as I’m here, not ONE PERSON has mentioned on of the most imaginative heist movies of all-time, the Australian classic “Malcolm” starring Colin Friels.
Even though I don’t have an automobile fetish like countless other men, I must say, it also contains the BEST car I’ve seen in a film. James Bond himself would love to have it…see it for yourself if you don’t believe me.
Trailer for “Malcolm” (Nadia Tass, 1986)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlaA_TPMXqY
“Odds Against Tomorrow” is certainly a brilliant film. The last of the classic films noir. Superb caper flick.
the sicilian clan
Wow I had forgotten Silent Partner, other than MASH this the only movie I really liked Gould in.
I also like the Sterlin Hayden movie, The killing, Steve McQueen’s Getaway and Thomas Crown. Both Mathau’s Varrick and The Taking of Pelham 123. I have liked some of the newer stuff, but somehow for me it’s not the same.
Humphrey Bogart in High Sierra.
mélodie en sous verneuil
Bob le flambeur
Rififi
The Killing
Asphalt Jungle
Odds Against Tomorrow
Le Cercle rouge
The Anderson Tapes
The Badlanders
Blood and Wine
Heist (the 2001 David Mamet film)
Some good picks. I’d add Italian Job (the remake) and The Bank Job (not great, but decent)
@Matt
Was The Anderson Tapes really good? It looks like it could be dated. Sidney Lumet directed that one, right?
Dog Day Afternoon
The Killng
A Fish Called Wanda
The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3 (1974)
Reservoir Dogs
The Ladykillers (1955)
The Lavender Hill Mob
Loot
Watch The Heist in Garage:
i’ve been on a recent heist film kick lately, so revisiting some old favorites and seeing some new ones.
Heat
Straight Time
Le Circle Rouge
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
The Town
Once A Thief
Heist
Inception
Le Deuxième Souffle
Dog Day Afternoon
Ronin
Bob le Flambeur
i know i’m not adding too much too the list or the conversation, but this just being a thread about heist films, i thought i’d throw my two cents in there.
Touchez pas au grisbi by Jacques Becker
Le Cercle Rouge and Le Deuxieme Souffle are the be all and end all of heist films. Melville was a genius.
Inception impressed me as one helluva heist movie. It certainly took me for a ride.
Grand Slam
Heat
Who’s Minding the Mint?
Le Cercle Rouge
Hot Millions
Robbery
The Sicilian Clan
The Anderson Tapes
Mission: Impossible (1996) dir. Brian DePalma (with its nod to Jules Dassin’s 1964 Topkapi)
Best soviet (russian) heist movie – Vozvrashcheniye ‘Svyatogo Luki’ (1970). Soviet Commissaire Maigret Colonel Zorin against the greatest thief of the USSR Mikhail Karabanov in a fantastic performance Vladislav Dvorzhetsky. Must see!
Heat has got to be one of the best to come out of Hollywood.
I wanna see that Russian heist movie, Stanislav!
PolarisDiB
Le Cercle Rouge is a one of my chill-out movies. It’s what I turn on and sit back when I just want to completely relax. Which is ironic, because the actual heist in it is incredibly tense in its own way.
—PolarisDiB