The 10 Best Heist Movies of the 1960s, Ranked

The 1960s were a great time for stylish heist films, with many classics that are still loved by fans decades later. The heist genre initially emerged from film noir, but gradually developed its own identity and came to encompass romantic comedies, action thrillers, and even spy films. The 1960s marked a boom for the genre, after films like Rififi and The killing brought a new wave of enthusiasm in the 1950s.

The heist films of the 1970s became much darker and grittier, in line with New Hollywood trends. On the other hand, the 1960s featured some more elegant and cheerful capers, such as 11 from the ocean and How to steal a million. This era was defined by smooth thieves carrying out intricately planned heists, and there wasn’t much of the violence and bloodshed that is usually associated with crime films.

10

Danger: Diabolik (1968)

Italian comic character makes bold transition to film

Diabolik is like an Italian Lupine III; a thief who has appeared in comic books, TV shows and films. When transferring the character to the big screen, Danger: Diabolic it retains many of its cartoonish quirks. It’s a real comic book moviewith some questionable physics, hard-hitting action scenes and a keen eye for stylish framing. Danger: Diabolic It may seem disconcerting to the uninitiated, but it’s another strong outing for a character who’s been popular since 1962.

Legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone spreads his magic Danger: Diabolic, and Mario Bava has the good sense to draw attention to the score when necessary. There are extended sequences that build on the sensual “Deep Down,” as Marisa Mell strolls through Diabolik’s luxurious hideout. This underlines the dizzying maximalism that achieved Danger: Diabolic a cult following over the years. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it’s a hidden gem worth watching for fans of the genre.

9

Ocean’s 11 (1960)

The Rat Pack turns on the charm while taking over Las Vegas

11 from the ocean is one of the most famous heist films of the 1960s, especially because it inspired Steven Soderbergh’s film Oceanof franchise from the 2000s, but it falls short of the true greats. Compared to these later films with Brad Pitt and George Clooney, the original 11 from the ocean It’s quite slow and uninspired. Still, there is a lot to like, especially for fans of the famous “Rat Pack”.

11 from the ocean It’s the kind of film that seems content to play on its charms. Fortunately, this isn’t considered lacking in that department. With Frank Sinatra leading a group of dapper thieves in an audacious Las Vegas heist, 11 from the ocean invites its audience to spend some time with an affable bunch. The musical elements are also well done, especially Dean Martin’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?”

8

The Thomas Crown case (1968)

The King of Cool earns his title

Steve McQueen shines in The Thomas Crown caseplaying an affable millionaire who executes the perfect crime purely for sport. He is investigated by a stubborn private detective, played by Faye Dunaway, who is also electric on screen. The Thomas Crown case was criticized at the time for its light plot, but it is beautifully shot and has enough style and sex appeal to get away with it.

The simple premise of The Thomas Crown case establishes a fun dynamic between the two main characters, who have a lot of romantic tension bubbling beneath the surface of their adversarial professional relationship. Thomas’ crown Subject it was remade in 1999, with Pierce Brosnan replacing McQueen. Now, The Thomas Crown case is being remade once again, with Belief star and director Michael B. Jordan at the helm.

7

Topkapi (1964)

Jules Dassin makes a triumphant return to the Heist genre

Jules Dassin Rififi is one of the first heist films that helped shape the conventions of the genre. Nine years later, he followed up with Topkapian English-language thriller that is equally gripping. While Rififi is a noir masterpiece, Topkapi makes the most of its glorious Technicolor appearance. It’s a little lighter and more fun to match her more colorful look, but still has Dassin’s masterful touch.

Many of the elements Topkapi They seem like clichés now, but that’s only because Dassin invented them and heist movies have been following in his footsteps ever since. From the exotic setting to the ragtag team of criminals, Topkapi addresses many of the heist movie’s most obvious tropes. However, he executes them with more confidence and originality than most. The robbery scene is extremely tenseand the mood momentarily evaporates.

6

Goldfinger (1964)

One of Bond’s best villains plans the most daring heist in history

gold finger It’s not the kind of film most people would associate with the heist genrebut the titular villain’s plan to infiltrate Fort Knox follows all the right steps. gold finger is often considered one of the best James Bond films, but it’s a bit of an oddity in the franchise. Auric Goldfinger is not putting millions of lives at risk like Blofeld, Safin or Largo. He is simply trying to get rich by depleting the value of America’s federal gold reserve.

Most heist movies are told from the perspective of the criminals, and gold finger spends a lot of time with the villain. One of the common criticisms of the film is that James Bond is captured and written off relatively early. He’s trapped at Goldfinger’s Kentucky estate as the villain explains his outrageous plan to a room full of gangsters. gold finger complements its big villain with an iconic theme song and some of the best action James BondIt was Sean Connery.

5

The Pink Panther (1963)

Peter Sellers Starts an Iconic Comedy Franchise

Peter Sellers proved himself to be one of the funniest actors in the world with The Pink Panther, and turned into a franchise that continued to operate for decades. Salespeople are not really the central focus of the The Pink Panther, but he steals every scene in which he appears as the incompetent Inspector Clouseau. THE Pink Panther the franchise immediately shifted to focusing on his character, starting with the murder mystery A shot in the dark.

David Niven stars as a wealthy British aristocrat whose hobby is being a gentleman jewel thief. He’s a smooth and cunning criminal, which makes his dynamic with Clouseau hilarious. It’s as if Danny Ocean was involved in a game of wits with Daffy Duck. Blake Edwards’ comedy is a masterpiece of slapstick humor, thanks to a brilliant performance from Peter Sellers in particular. The lively intro, music and locations are equally cheerful.

4

The Italian Job (1969)

Michael Caine’s cockney gang embodies the spirit of British crime capers

Michael Caine stars as a Cockney hustler with an eye on his next big hit after being released from prison in Italian work. Your rough charms are put to good useespecially because Italian work doesn’t bother to give too many details about many of the other thugs that make up the crew. Turin provides the scenic backdrop for a brute force robbery carried out by a group of British hooligans as they roam the cobbled streets in their Mini Coopers.

The driving scenes are thrilling and there are always new and inventive twists as the crew makes their grand escape. Italian work it’s all about the frantic excitement of getting away with something, rather than the tense anticipation that colors many other heist films. This culminates in Italian workunforgettable ending. The literal cliffhanger is the final cruel twistand ensured that Italian work went down in history as a classic British crime.

3

Gambit (1966)

Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine form an aggressive duo

Italian work is far from the only heist film Michael Caine has appeared in. His mix of charisma and toughness helped him in Going in style, Harry and Walter go to New York, King of Thieves and much more. Gambit It’s a level above the rest of these filmsand it’s one of Michael Caine’s best films overall. He plays an ambitious con man who hatches a plan to steal a priceless sculpture, enlisting the help of a naughty dancer.

Gambit utilizes the hilarious chemistry between Caine and Shirley MacLaine. Although he is cold and analytical, she is the unpredictable live wire that threatens to destroy his elaborately constructed plan. Gambit revolves around a bold twist midway through. The structure provides the perfect opportunity to contrast the elegant genius of the plan with the clumsy chaos of its execution. You don’t have to be a thief to find something identifiable in this situation.

2

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

The true crime thriller changed the cinema landscape

Bonnie and Clyde It was a turning point in the history of cinema, ushering in the era of New Hollywood. Audiences were not accustomed to graphic depictions of sex, violence and criminality at the time it was released. Decades later, there are parts Bonnie and Clyde which can still cause shock, especially the blood-soaked death scene. Bonnie and Clyde stands out in the scene of heist films in the 1960sshowing that he was decidedly ahead of his time.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow caused a media sensation with their nationwide crime spree. Bonnie and Clyde revives that feeling of morbid curiosity, happily feeding the desire of an audience who wants to see blood and carnage. However, it is much smarter than these cheap thrills suggest. Behind the violence and unbearable tension, Bonnie and Clyde probes the heart of American societywith its mythologization of criminals and its appetite for scandal. There are also moments of humor that encourage the audience to sympathize with the thieves and murderers.

1

How to Steal a Million (1966)

Audrey Hepburn is at her best in William Wyler’s stylish romcom

Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole have their star power in full swing in How to steal a million, a light-hearted heist comedy that epitomizes 60s style. Hepburn’s Givenchy wardrobe is just the tip of the iceberg. Every inch of William Wyler’s comedy helps create an inviting atmosphere. Hepburn plays the daughter of an art forger who must steal her father’s fake sculpture from a gallery before his fraud is discovered.

Although How to steal a million dresses up as a heist film, the heart of the story shows that it is really a romantic comedy above all else. Hepburn and O’Toole make a charming on-screen duo, and the script allows them both to play to their comedic strengths. How to steal a million was filmed on location in Pariswhich is the perfect setting for a delicate and funny romance and a story about art.