Seven Thieves (1960)

Truly Dreadful Film

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

good back-story, and good acting

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

*Spoiler/plot- Seven Thieves 1960, A large crew plans a European 4 million casino heist to help an old pal.*Special Stars- Rod Steiger, Edward G. Robinson, Joan Collins, Eli Wallach, Sebastian Cabot, Alexander Scourby, Michael Danta, Berry Kroeger.*Theme- Justice can come in the place of vengeance.*Trivia/location/goofs- B & W, European. Watch for a very lovely stripper dance from a 19 yr old Joan Collins.*Emotion- A wonderful mega star cast of international characters that take the audience through their biggest 'caper'. The acting is wonderful.*Based On- crime books of the 50's.

This film about a heist of a casino in Monte Carlo is graced by three giants of the film industry, Edward G. Robinson, Rod Steiger, and Eli Wallach. Steiger in particular gives his multi-faceted performance superb shading and sensitivity in the development of his relationship with Edward G. Robinson, whose performance, as always, is stellar. Rod Steiger is incapable of giving a bad performance, but his touching reactions when the character played by Robinson dies at the end of the heist is one of the best portrayals you will ever see an actor give in any film. Joan Collins part is a bit overdrawn, especially with the unnecessary exposition at the beginning where she dances at the strip joint, but her participation later lends gravitas and poignancy to the dramatic line. See this film for the performances of Steiger, Wallach and Robinson if for no other reason. I have watched it five times and never miss it when it is shown on TV. The power and pathos of Steiger's performance make it work the watching, time and again.

Edward G. Robinson plays a scientist whose career has been ruined by an unspecified crime. He has dreamed up the perfect heist. For it, he has asked Rod Steiger to be his partner.Also involved are Alexander Scourbey, Michael Dante -- always associated for me with his role in "The Naked Kiss," and many others. Joan Collins looks pretty much the same as she looks now, 45 years later.It's pretty routine. However, the fondness and respect felt for Robinson by the others is interesting. Steiger particularly seems to hold him in awe.It's far from great. But it's fairly good.

Seven Thieves is an intricately plotted and well acted caper yarn. It combines beautiful Monte Carlo setting with seven distinct characterization. A host of international professionals are on hand including Edward G. Robinson, Eli Wallach, Sebastian Cabot, Alexander Scourby, Berry Kroger, Marcel Hillaire, John Berardino, and most of all, Joan Collins and Rod Steiger. Collins, generally not one of my favorites, gives a marvelous performance, surprisingly reminiscent of Sophia Loren. Steiger starts the movie off being belligerent and one-note, so much so, that I wasn't certain I would continue watching. But, soon we gradually see why Edward G. wants him on his team so badly. Next, things get very taut and laced with whimsy and dry humor.If you enjoy caper films that make you think, watch this one.