Films about art heists tap into the thrilling intersection of high art and high stakes, shining a light on the world of priceless artefacts, cunning thieves, and the daring plans that go into stealing them. These films often blend elements of drama, suspense, and sometimes comedy, taking audiences from the planning stages of the heist through to the execution and, in many cases, the aftermath. They showcase the meticulous strategy and often audacious bravado needed to pull off such crimes, while also exploring the motivations behind them, whether it be for greed, revenge, or the thrill of the chase. Here are some notable films about art heists:
“The Thomas Crown Affair”, 1999
Director: John McTiernan
A suave and wealthy businessman, played by Pierce Brosnan, orchestrates an audacious art theft for the thrill, only to find himself matched in wits by an equally clever insurance investigator. This game of cat and mouse is as much about the psychological chase as it is about the art heist itself.
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Faye Dunaway, Ben Gazzara, Frankie Faison, Fritz Weaver, Charles Keating, Mark Margolis, Michael Lombard;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: thriller, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Thomas Crown Affair” on the website imdb.com
“Entrapment”, 1999
Director: Jon Amiel
Starring Sean Connery as a master thief and Catherine Zeta-Jones as an insurance agent, this film weaves together a plot filled with suspense, intrigue, and numerous twist turns. Their collaboration in a heist involving a priceless Chinese mask leads them into a series of elaborate thefts around the globe.
Starring: Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ving Rhames, Will Patton, Maury Chaykin, Kevin McNally, Terry O'Neill, Madhav Sharma, David Yip, Tim Potter;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: action, thriller, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Entrapment” on the website imdb.com
“The Score”, 2001
Director: Frank Oz
A seasoned thief (Robert De Niro) plans to retire but is convinced to pull off one final heist by his friend (Marlon Brando). The job involves stealing a scepter worth millions from the Montreal Customs House, and they enlist the help of a younger, tech-savvy thief (Edward Norton). This film is a classic heist movie with a focus on the tension between the old guard and new blood.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Marlon Brando, Angela Bassett, Gary Farmer, Paul Soles, Jamie Harrold, Serge Houde, Jean-René Ouellet, Martin Drainville;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Score” on the website imdb.com
“How to Steal a Million”, 1966
Director: William Wyler
A romantic comedy heist film starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole, set in Paris. Hepburn plays the daughter of an art collector who teams up with a society burglar to steal a statue from a prestigious Paris museum to prevent its forgery from being exposed.
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Peter O'Toole, Eli Wallach, Hugh Griffith, Charles Boyer, Fernand Gravey, Marcel Dalio, Jacques Marin, Moustache, Roger Tréville;
Production year: 1966;
Genre: comedy, crime, melodrama;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “How to Steal a Million” on the website imdb.com
“Trance”, 2013
Director: Danny Boyle
Directed by Danny Boyle, “Trance” follows an art auctioneer who becomes mixed up with a group of criminals. After a blow to the head, he can't recall where he hid a valuable painting, leading them to employ a hypnotherapist to retrieve the memory. The film is a psychological thriller that blurs the line between reality and hypnotic suggestion.
Starring: James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel, Rosario Dawson, Danny Sapani, Matt Cross, Wahab Sheikh, Mark Poltimore, Tuppence Middleton, Simon Kunz, Michael Shaeffer;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Trance” on the website imdb.com
“The Monuments Men”, 2014
Director: George Clooney
A different take on the art heist genre, this film is based on a true story of a World War II platoon tasked with rescuing art treasures from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It's an ensemble film that balances light-hearted moments with the gravity of war and the importance of preserving culture.
Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, Cate Blanchett, Dimitri Leonidas, Justus von Dohnanyi;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: war, drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “The Monuments Men” on the website imdb.com
“Ocean's Twelve”, 2004
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Although part of a broader heist franchise, “Ocean's Twelve” includes elements of an art heist within its multifaceted plot, showcasing the sophisticated and stylish execution the series is known for.
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Vincent Cassel, Carl Reiner, Elliott Gould, Scott Caan;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Ocean's Twelve” on the website imdb.com
These films, each unique in their take on the art heist theme, offer a thrilling glimpse into the world of stolen treasures and the intriguing characters drawn to them.
The genre of art heist films offers a captivating blend of intelligence, suspense, and beauty, each production weaving its own unique tapestry of intrigue and aesthetic reverence. Through the lens of these cinematic endeavors, audiences are invited not just to witness the thrill of the theft but to ponder on the profound value and power of art itself. The allure lies not only in the masterful execution of the heist but in the intense moral dilemmas and character studies that these films offer. From the glossy sophistication of “The Thomas Crown Affair” to the gritty determination displayed in “The Art of the Steal,” art heist films challenge and entertain, leaving a lasting impression of the unbreakable bond between beauty and humanity. These stories transcend mere criminal capers, evolving into complex narratives that celebrate human ingenuity and critique our relationship with art, ultimately reminding us of the timeless allure that these masterpieces hold, both on the canvas and on the screen.
