TOP TEN: Best Heist Films
They came, they saw, they stole yo shit!
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In honor of this week's release The Bank Job, which I can tell you is far better than I ever thought it would be, I decided to compile a top ten list of what I consider to be the best heist films I have seen. Searching around the Internet, obviously I am not the first person to do this, but one thing I thought was interesting as I looked were the films people considered "heist" films.
For instance, I don't think films like Die Hard, Reservoir Dogs, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Catch Me If You Can, Dog Day Afternoon, Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and especially The Sting are heist films. Die Hard, Dog Day and Pelham are hostage style robberies. Snatch and Lock, Stock are simple theft features and The Sting and Catch Me If You Can are con man films, a con alone is not a heist.
What exactly constitutes a heist film then? Well, in my estimation it involves the planning of the heist, ending in the execution and in most cases the aftermath. A big part is the planning as that is really the key that unlocks a great heist. Then, of course, there is the attempt to actually get away with it without being caught, at least not by the authorities. This, to me, is a heist… a big take masterfully executed.
So, without further delay, let's get into it…
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Well Brad I'll have to say, this is the best Top Ten you've ever posted. I keep up with your articles on a daily basis and I've never read an earlier Top Ten word-to-word and placing 'Heat' at the no.1 spot just proved to that you're a guy of good taste and knowledge. Keep it up.
Dude, The Sting? Paul Newman AND Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Ray Walston, a wonderful script and brilliant directing? What about Entrapment, which kept us guessing up until the very last minute? And Sneakers? Ronin?
Only problem is that The Sting isn't a heist film, it's a con. Also, I didn't think Entrapment, Sneakers or … forgive me … Ronin were all that good. I think Ronin may have been built up too much for me before I saw it, because when I finally did I didn't like it much at all. I will say Entrapment would win for best ass shot, Zeta owns that scene.
Pawned. But still: my money is a lot more better spent when I get to see Robert Redoford and Paul Newman chewing the screen and driving my eyes crazy for not knowing who to look at.
Zeta Jones, ok. Unlucky for her, she had to share the screen with Georgeous Sean, who at 113 years still runs circles around younger folk.
I have to admit I have not seen many of your top 10 but having Heat as your number one???? Al Pachino over acts in every scene and the ending is horrible. How can you have a Heist top 10 without Heist Gene Hackman, great movie and is worth a spot especially with Heat as your number 1..
First off, great list! I'm really glad to see you defining 'a heist' and then following through consistantly.
Can you explain your reasoning for R Dogs not being a heist film?
Best,
-j
what about the score? with robert deniro
nice list.. I added like half of these to my netflix queue. I have to say, though– as far as Italian Jobs go, you have got to see the original. It's, shall we say, well aged and thoroughly tongue in cheek but I think it's a much much better movie.
cheers!
What about the very best: Thief
You mean #8 on the list?
Of recent films I would have to include INSIDE MAN and definitely drop OCEAN'S 11 on the basis that it is totally improbable, filled with so many moments of suspension of disbelieve as to force it down to the #90 position or so.
Of older films I would have to add TOPKAPI (actually got some Academy nominations and a win or two)whose use of a acrobatic component has been copied endlessly, including by OCEAN'S 11, ENTRAPMENT, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and a dozen others. Also in the older efforts I'd add Stanley Kubrick's THE KILLING with Sterling Hayden. And if one is adding CON MEN MOVIES, how can you leave out THE STING and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS or RUTHLESS PEOPLE?
I'd also say that THIEF w/James Caan is superior to HEAT—-same director. THE GETAWAY with Steve McQueen, directed by Sam Peckinpah desires top 10 status. The "original" TAKING OF PELHAM 123 w/Walter Matthau and RobertShaw was very entertaining, and, of course, weren't DIE HARD (and DIE HARD 3) heist movies? Both VASTLY superior to many on your list. As a matter of fact AFI lists DIE HARD as the #1 action movie.
Worst reviewer ever. He'd never seen the original 'Italian Job,' yet has the gall to make a list of top 'Heist' films and put the remake in there. Then he puts "Rififi' at #3 and has the gall to say it's worth watching, 'if you don't mind reading subtitles.' This guy obviously checked out other 'top heist movies' lists and formed his own around that of real critics'. You have to admire this yet his repugnant and blaze stupidity is unmissable.