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.

Italian Job (2003)

Directed by F. Gary Gray

Starred Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def, Edward Norton

2003, United States & France & United Kingdom, English

Another full pack of robbery movie... A great cast, action, surprises. Everything you can expect from a robbery movie. The action dose is little bit more dominated in this one. If the action, cars, guns, chases is the adrenaline-pump factor of a heist movies, you will love it.

Hey, by the way, pay close attention what movie Edward Norton's character watches on TV in the movie ;)

I should also add that the movie awarded Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Movie Award by Academy of Science Fiction & Fantasy & Horror Film Awards and Taurus Award for Best Specialty Stunt by World Stunts Awards.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;
well organized robbery
surprises
lots of chasing
a serious robbery movie
a movie mainly focused on the robbery

then this is your movie.

***

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

Le Premier Cercle/Inside Ring/Ultimate Heist (2009)
Entrapment (1999)
Bob Le Flambeur (1956)
Armored (2009)
The Art of the Steal (2013) 

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

  The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
The Score (2001) 
Entrapment (1999)
Ocean`s Eleven (2001)
Ocean`s Twelve (2004)
Ocean`s Thirteen (2007)

*** 

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Gold Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 5/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 4/5

Surprise Level: 3/5

Comedy Level: 1/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 4/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

 

Entrapment (1999)

Directed by Jon Amiel
Starred Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ving Rhames, Will Patton, Maury Chaykin,

1999, United States & United Kingdom & Germany, English

Long preparations for robbery. Romantic tension between main characters. Finally, the robbery where all these long preparations gain meaning. Surprises? Of course, yes, many. In my personal opinion not unusual, not shocking ones, but we have.

The movie has all the elements what a robbery movie should have and it isn't a low quality movie at all but something is still missing. What is it? Don't know.

When we look at the movie's award career, it also actually reflects this contrast. The movie is awarded for Best Actor and Actress Awards by Audience in European Film Awards, which is one of the most serious awards in my opinion. The movie was also nominated for Worst Actor and Worst Screen Couple categories in Razzie Awards, where the worst ones of the year are selected.

In brief, if you see the movie by knowing that the movie doesn't take itself too serious and by knowing that you shouldn't have high expectations, then you can pretty much enjoy it as a robbery movie. Plus a breathtaking Catherine Zeta-Jones.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

well organized robbery

long preparations
surprises
romantic tensions between characters

a light robbery movie
a movie mainly focused on pre-robbery

then this is your movie.

***

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

Firewall (2006)
Italian Job (2003)
Ocean's Twelve (2004)
Ronin (1998)
The Score (2001)
My Mom's New Boyfriend (2008) 
The First Great Train Robbery (1978)

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

Italian Job (2003)
The Score (2001)
Ocean's Twelve (2004)

*** 

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Gold Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 1/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

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 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.