The 1960s were a great time for stylish heist movies, with many classics which are still loved by fans decades later. The heist genre initially sprung out of film noir, but it gradually developed its own identity, and it came to encompass romantic comedies, action thrillers and even spy movies. The 1960s marked a boom for the genre, after films likeRififiandThe Killingbrought about a new wave of enthusiasm in the 1950s.
Heist movies in the 1970sgot much grittier and darker, in line with the trends of New Hollywood. By contrast, the 1960s delivered some more stylish and lighthearted capers, such asOcean’s 11andHow to Steal a Million. This era was defined by suave thieves pulling off intricately plotted heists, and there wasn’t much of the violence and bloodshed that’s usually associated with crime movies.
25 Best Heist Movies Of All Time, Ranked
The best heist movies can be comedies, dramas, or thrillers. But they all need an eclectic crew and a big score waiting for them at the end.
10Danger: Diabolik (1968)
The Italian Comic Character Makes A Bold Transition To Cinema
Diabolik is like an Italian Lupin III; a thief who has appeared in comic books, TV shows and movies. In transferring the character to the big screen,Danger: Diabolikretains a lot of his cartoonish quirks.It’s a true comic book movie, with some questionable physics, punchy action scenes and a keen eye for stylish framing.Danger: Diabolikcan seem bewildering to the uninitiated, but it’s another strong outing for a character who has been popular ever since 1962.
Legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone sprinkles his magic onDanger: Diabolik,and Mario Bava has the good sense to draw attention to the score when necessary. There are extended sequences which lean on the sultry “Deep Down,” as Marisa Mell strolls around Diabolik’s luxurious hideout. This underlines the dizzying maximalism that has garneredDanger: Diabolika cult following over the years. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s a hidden gem worth watching for fans of the genre.
Ocean’s 11is one of the most famous heist movies from the 1960s, especially since it inspiredSteven Soderbergh’sOcean’sfranchiseof the 2000s, but it falls short of the true greats. Compared to these later movies with Brad Pitt and George Clooney, the originalOcean’s 11is rather slow-paced and uninspired. Still, there’s a lot to like, especially for fans of the famous “Rat Pack”.
Ocean’s 11is the kind of movie that seems content to coast on its charms. Fortunately, it’s not found wanting in that department. With Frank Sinatra leading a group of dapper thieves in an audacious Las Vegas heist,Ocean’s 11invites its audience in to spend some time with an affable gang.The musical elements are also well done, particularly Dean Martin’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?”
Steve McQueen shines inThe Thomas Crown Affair, playing a debonair millionaire who executes the perfect crime purely for sport. He is investigated by a headstrong private detective, played by Faye Dunaway, who is also electric on-screen.The Thomas Crown Affairwas criticized at the time for its lightweight plot, but it’s beautifully shot, andit has enough style and sex appeal to get away with it.
The simple premise ofThe Thomas Crown Affairsets up a fun dynamic between the two main characters, who have plenty of romantic tension bubbling beneath the surface of their adversarial professional relationship.The Thomas CrownAffairwas remade in 1999 with Pierce Brosnan taking over from McQueen. Now,The Thomas Crown Affairis being remadeonce again, withCreedstar and director Michael B. Jordan at the helm.
Jules Dassin’sRififiis one of the early heist movies which helped shape the conventions of the genre. Nine years later, he followed it up withTopkapi, an English-language thriller that’s just as exciting. WhereasRififiis a noir masterpiece,Topkapimakes the most of its glorious technicolor appearance.It’s a little lighter and funnier to suit its more colorful look, but it still has Dassin’s masterful touch.
A lot of the elements ofTopkapiseem clichéd 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 ramshackle team of criminals,Topkapitouches on many of the most obvious heist movie tropes. However, it executes them with more confidence and originality than most.The heist scene is remarkably tense, and the humor evaporates momentarily.
Goldfingerisn’t the type of movie most people would associate with the heist genre, but the titular villain’s plan to infiltrate Fort Knox follows all the right steps.Goldfingeris often considered to be one of thebestJames Bondmovies, but it’s a bit of an outlier in the franchise. Auric Goldfinger isn’t endangering millions of lives like Blofeld, Safin or Largo. He’s simply attempting to enrich himself by depleting the value of America’s federal gold reserve.
Most heist movies are told from the perspective of the criminals, andGoldfingerspends plenty of time with the villain. One of the common criticisms of the movie is that James Bond gets captured and nullified relatively early. He is imprisoned on Goldfinger’s Kentucky estate while the villain breaks down his outrageous plan to a room full of gangsters.Goldfingercomplements its great villain with an iconic theme songand some of the best action ofJames Bond’s Sean Connery era.
5The Pink Panther (1963)
Peter Sellers Kickstarts An Iconic Comedy Franchise
Peter Sellers proved himself as one of the funniest actors in the world withThe Pink Panther,and it turned into a franchise that kept on kicking for decades. Sellers isn’t really the central focus ofThe Pink Panther,but he steals every scene he’s in as the incompetent Inspector Clouseau. ThePink Pantherfranchisepivoted immediately to focusing on his character, starting with the murder mysteryA Shot in the Dark.
David Niven stars as a wealthy British aristocrat who takes up a hobby as a gentleman jewel thief. He’s a suave and cunning criminal, which makes his dynamic with Clouseau hilarious. It’s as if Danny Ocean were engaged 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 animated intro, the music and the locations are all just as joyous.
Michael Caine stars as a cockney rogue eyeing his next big score after being released from prison inThe Italian Job.His rough charms are put to good use, especially sinceThe Italian Jobdoesn’t bother to give much detail about many of the other crooks who make up the crew. Turin provides the scenic backdrop for a brute-force robbery carried out by a group of British hooligans, as they tear through the cobbled streets in their Mini Coopers.
The driving scenes are exhilarating, and there are always new and inventive twists as the crew make their great escape.The Italian Jobis all about the frenzied excitement of getting away with something, rather than the tense anticipation that colors many other heist movies. This culminates inThe Italian Job’s unforgettable ending.The literal cliffhanger is the final cruel twist, and it has ensured thatThe Italian Jobhas gone down in history as a classic British crime caper.
The Italian Jobis far from the only heist movie Michael Caine has appeared in. His blend of charisma and toughness has helped him inGoing in Style, Harry and Walter Go to New York, King of Thievesand more.Gambitis a cut above the rest of these movies, and it’s one ofMichael Caine’s best moviesoverall. He plays an ambitious con artist who concocts a plan to steal a priceless sculpture by enlisting the help of a bratty showgirl.
Gambitutilizes the hilarious chemistry between Caine and Shirley MacLaine. While he is cool and analytical, she is the unpredictable live wire who threatens to scupper his elaborately constructed plan.Gambitrevolves around a daring twist midway though.The structure offers the perfect opportunity to contrast the elegant genius of the plan with the bumbling chaos of its execution. It doesn’t take a thief to find something relatable in this situation.
Bonnie and Clydewas a turning point in the history of film, ushering in the age of New Hollywood. Audiences weren’t used to such graphic depictions of sex, violence and criminality at the time it was released. Decades later, there are parts ofBonnie and Clydewhich can still cause a shock, especially the blood-soaked death scene.Bonnie and Clydesticks out amid the landscape of heist movies in the 1960s, showing that it was decidedly ahead of its time.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow caused a media sensation with their cross-country crime spree.Bonnie and Clyderevives this sense of morbid curiosity, gleefully feeding the desire of an audience that wants to see blood and carnage. However, it’s much more intelligent than these cheap thrills suggest. Behind the violence and unbearable tension,Bonnie and Clydeprobes at the heart of American society, with its mythologization of criminals and its appetite for scandal. There are also humorous moments which urge the audience to sympathize with the thieves and killers.
Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole both have their star power turned on at full blast inHow to Steal a Million,a breezy heist comedy that epitomizes the style of the ’60s.Hepburn’s Givenchy wardrobe is just the tip of the iceberg. Every inch of William Wyler’s comedy helps to 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.
AlthoughHow to Steal a Milliondresses itself up as a heist movie, the core of the story shows that it’s 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 Millionwas filmed on location in Paris, which is the perfect setting for a delicate, funny romance and a story about art.
