The First Great Train Robbery (1978)

Directed by Michael Crichton
Starred Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, Lesley-Anne Down, Alan Webb,  Malcolm Terris, Robert Lang, Michael Elphick, Wayne Sleep, Pamela Salem, Gabrielle Lloyd, George Drowning, ...
1978, United Kingdom, English, 110 minutes.

Originally titled as The First Great Train Robbery, but also known as The Great Train Robbery is a true heist movie classic. It wouldn't be possible to have a blog on heist movies without talking about this movie. 

The largest part of the movie is lengthy and entertaining preparations of a well-detailed robbery. You would find every element of a good robbery without disappointment.  The story of the movie is based on a Michael Crichton novel also based loosely on a real life train robbery took place in 1855. 

An interesting note on making of the film is Sean Connery does all his own stunts on the top of a moving train which travels over 80 km per hour. Also, the actor who played Clean Billy, who climb up the wall and who also does his own stunts was one of United Kingdom's premiere ballet dancers.

It is a robbery movie a true heist movie fan would enjoy very much. Anyway, if you are into the genre, you should know that this movie is often listed in many listings as one of the best robbery movies of all times.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

If you look for;

a heist based on a true story

a well-organized robbery movie

a team-work heist movie

a heist movie with great actors

a period-heist movie 

a heist classic

then this is your movie.

***

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:

(available in the blog)

Entrapment (1999)

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Rififi / Du Rififi Chez Des Hommes (1955)

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Pickpocketing, Gold Robbery, Train Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 1/5

Originality of the Story in General: 4/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 4/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

The Great Train Robbery (1903)

Directed by Edwin S. Porter

Starred Gilbert M. "Broncho Billy" Anderson, Willam S. Hart, Barbara Bedford, A.C. Abadie, Justus D. Barnes, Walter Cameron, Donald Gallagher, Frank Hanaway, Adam Charles Hayman, Tom London, Mary Snow ...

1903, United States, Silent

 

The oldest robbery movie I can ever list here. Because it is not only the first known robbery movie, but also the first known western movie ever. And it is the first movie in cinema history which has ever a narrative plot according some sources, while one the firsts according to some others.

It is in possession of Library of Congress. The film uses simple editing techniques (each scene is a single shot) and the story is mostly linear (with only a few "meanwhile" moments) but it represents a significant step in movie making, being one of the first "narrative" movies. The final shot of a gun being fired toward the camera had a profound effect on audiences. As cinema was in its infancy, many people who saw the film thought that they were actually about to be shot. The earliest American film listed in '1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die', edited by Steven Jay Schneider.

The budget of the movie is estimated as $ 150. Filmed in New Jersey. Lasts at around 11 minutes. And it was given an award by National Film Preservation Board in 1990, 87 years later it had filmed.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

a movie you must see before you die

a first robbery movie of cinema history

a first western movie of cinema history
one of the first movies which has a narrative

then this is your movie.

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Train Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: N/A

Originality of Robbery Plan: N/A

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: N/A

Actors' Performances: N/A

Excitement Level: N/A

Surprise Level: N/A

Humor Level: N/A

Originality of the Story in General: N/A

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: N/A

Rating the Movie As A Whole: N/A

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Directed by George Roy Hill
Starred Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Henry Jones, George Furth, Jeff Corey, Ted Cassidy, Kenneth Mars
1969, USA, English with some Spanish dialogues

Here it is a classic movie. Not only for this genre, but also for the entire cinema history. Actually, I am not sure to qualify it as a robbery movie. It may be more character study. But we have lots of serious or funny, long or short, pro or post robbery scenes.


Breathtaking beauty of Katharine Ross is completing two giant actors, Paul Newman and Robert Redford's capturing performances. The story is funny, the movie is *beautiful*, and the cinematography is excellent.


You will be laughing, sweating, and nailed to your chair. Maybe not exactly for the genre, but it is a must-see for all cinema fans.


A few notes on the production... Paul Newman is doing all his stunts himself in the bicycle sequence, after his stunt was unable to stay on the bike. The actual name of the gang was The Wild Bunch. But, when Sam Peckinpah's movie The Wild Bunch was released a few months earlier, the name of the gang was changed to the Hole in the Wall Gang. The movie is rated #73 Greatest Movie at All Time and #7 for 10 greatest films in the genre 'Western' by American Film Institute. With 9 wins, the movie currently holds the record for British Academy Awards (BAFTAs). The movie won 4 Oscars, Best Cinematography, Original Score, Best Writing as well as Best Song for 'Raindrops Keen Fallin' on My Head', while it was nominated for Best Picture, Director and Sound categories.


On top of all, it is mostly a true story.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you are looking for;

Nostalgia

A classic movie

A movie about robbers more than robbery

Award winner robbery movie

A little bit funny

A lot of chasing scenes

then this is your movie.


***

If you like this movie, I believe you might like also:
(available in the blog)

Point Break (1991)
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972)
The Social Network (2010)
The Sting (1973)
Thieves Like Us (1974)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Public Enemies (2009)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
The Train Robbers (1973) 
Maverick (1994)

If you like this movie, imdb believes you might like also:
(available in the blog)

The Sting (1973) 

*** 

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Train Robbery, Bank Robbery, Bank Robbers, Thieves / Character Study

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Scenes: 3/5

Actors' Performances: 5/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 3/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 4/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

 

The Train Robbers (1973)

Directed by Burt Kennedy

Starred John Wayne, Ann-Margret, Rod Taylor, Ben Johnson, Christopher George, Bobby Vinton, Jerry Gatlin, Ricardo Montalban...

1973, United States, English

Well, not exactly a robbery movie. I can't say more not to give out any spoiler. You will have to see it for yourself. A simple, not a big movie. It has a a straight film grammar and it is a movie for a patient audience. If you are patient enough, you might enjoy it even more. It is pity that I can't tell you more :) Don't expect too much, but a simple, nice experience will be waiting for you.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

nostalgia

a simple robbery movie

a light robbery movie

surprises

a movie fully focused on the robbery

a small team work robbery

a western robber movie

then this is your movie.

***

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:
(available in the blog)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Maverick (1994)

*** 

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Gold Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 2/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 1/5

Surprise Level: 3/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.