Seven Thieves (1960)

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Sydney Boehm (writer)
Max Catto (novel)

Release Date:

11 March 1960 (West Germany)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

A discredited professor and a sophisticated thief decide to join together and pick a team to pull off one last job--the casino vault in Monte Carlo.

Plot Keywords:

Thief | Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Edward G. Robinson	...	Theo Wilkins / Dr. Vital
Rod Steiger	...	Paul Mason / John Edwards
Joan Collins	...	Melanie / Madame De La Cruz
Eli Wallach	...	Poncho / Baron von Roelitz
Alexander Scourby	...	Raymond Le May
Michael Dante	...	Louis Antonizzi / Monsieur De La Cruz
Berry Kroeger	...	Hugo Baumer aka Fritz
Sebastian Cabot	...	Director of Casino
Marcel Hillaire	...	Duc di Salins
John Beradino	...	Chief of Detectives

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:K-16

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Goofs:

Continuity: Theo's hand jumps on and off Paul's arm between shots as they sit at the casino bar.

Movie Connections:

References Bob le flambeur (1956)

Interesting Little Casino Caper

"Seven Thieves" is an average but interesting little "rob the casino" caper, raised a level by the quality of the acting.

Edward G. Robinson stars as "the professor" who masterminds a plot to rob a Monte Carlo casino. For Robinson, this represents his one last chance to make a major score before he cashes in. Rod Steiger plays on old acquaintance from the States whom Robinson tries to recruit in order to complete his team. Joan Collins, looking gorgeous, is the femme fatale and Eli Wallach as Poncho the Sax playing member of the group. Michael Dante, Alexander Scourby and Berry Kroeger round out the rest of the "Seven Thieves". Sebastian Cabot also appears as the casino director.

Robinson in what amounts to a supporting role, is excellent as always. Steiger's method acting seems a little misplaced here, however under Henry Hathaway's direction, he does deliver a good performance. Collins was never more beautiful and performs a couple of provocative (for 1960) dances in a cabaret with Wallach.

"Seven Thieves" is always interesting but contains little in the way of physical action. There are a couple of surprises as well, but I thought the ending was a bit of a let down. Nevertheless, It is still an interesting film to watch if only see the performances of the stellar cast.