Exploring the World of Heist Drama Movies

The love affair for cinema is a passionate and often a personal one. Sure, there are individual films that graThe love affair for cinema is a passionate and often a personal one. Sure, there are individual films that grab all of our attention and push the bar forward for movie-making. However, we usually all have our favorite film genre. For some, it can be action films or romance films for the ladies. Some prefer drama, while others prefer the timeless suspense of heist films.

In many ways, heist films combine several elements of other film genres, including drama and sometimes comedy, to see how they are going to pull off the big score. This article dives into the heart of the best heist drama films that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat.

Defining the Heist Drama

The greatness of heist drama films isn’t the film’s last moments where the heist goes down but the suspense and buildup leading up to it. A great director with the right cast can have you go from believing that the impossible heist is indeed possible. Also, heist dramas have a way of getting the audience to root and cheer for the villains because there are usually complex reasons why they are robbing a bank or pulling off the seemingly impossible heist.

10) “Riffi” (1955)

For many film historians, and especially those who are fans of the genre, “Riffi” is considered the grandfather of modern-day heist dramas. Filmed in black and white, Riffi is a film-noir film directed by legendary director Jules Dassin. Riffi carefully builds up the characters that are dedicated to planning the perfect jewelry heist to retire from the game for good. The final scene goes down in film lore for its length and without having sound.

9) “Ocean’s Eleven” (1960)

Considered bold and risque for its time, the original Ocean’s Eleven stars Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean, a career criminal who, after coming out of jail, is looking to pull off the biggest heist in his career, robbing five Las Vegas casinos on New Year’s Eve. The original Ocean’s Eleven introduced the slapstick comedy aspect into the heist drama. Totally lighthearted, the original Ocean’s Eleven also starts many of the late Rat Pack members, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., and Angie Dickinson.

8) “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968)

The original “Thomas Crown Affair” stars the late Steve McQueen as Thomas Crown, a wealthy businessman who is so bored that he plans robberies to pass the time. Having pulled off his latest heist in broad daylight, the Feds are closing in on him. The insurance companies decide to send in their ace private investigator, Vicki, played by Faye Dunaway.

As Vicki suspects that Thomas Crown is the man behind the robberies, she develops feelings for him. Unshaken from the pressure of law enforcement, Thomas Crown plans one last heist. The suspense for the original Thomas Crown Affair is the showdown between Vicki and Thomas Crown. Will love prevail, or will justice put an end to Thomas Crown’s antics once and for all?

7) “The Italian Job” (1969)

The original “Italian Job” stars Michael Caine as Charley Croker, a lifelong criminal and master thief. Not even an hour after being released from prison, Charley is planning the biggest job of his life on behalf of his dead partner – robbing Turin, Italy, of $4 million gold bars.

One of the most lighthearted heist movies, the original “Italian Job” introduces singing as well as slapstick comedy. Just as famous as the film-ending cliffhanger, and we mean that literally, is the amazing use of Mini Cooper cars to pull off the heist and the getaway.

6) “The Red Circle” (1970)

“The Red Circle,” known by its original French title, “Le Cercle Rouge,” is a 1970s French gangster drama starring the late Alain Delon. Directed by Pierre Melville, a veteran director in the French heist drama, Alain Delon stars as Corey, who is released from prison to pull off a massive jewelry heist in Paris.

Corey teams up with other like-minded criminals, including a former cop turns villain. Besides the expert buildup and the suspense leading up to the heist, there are amazing character-driven stories, especially Corey’s angle for revenge.

5) “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975)

Starring Al Pacino in one of his most explosive roles, “Dog Day Afternoon” details in brutal honesty when a bank robbery grows wrong. Directed by Sidney Lumet, “Dog Day Afternoon” is actually based on a real-life story of a bank robbery gone horribly wrong. Desperate for money, Al Pacino plays the role of Sonny Wortzik, who teams up with Sal, who is played by John Calzale.

After plotting about how to rob a Brooklyn Bank on a miserably hot summer day, it doesn’t take long for things to go wrong. As the situation devolves, “Dog Day Afternoon” delivers on excellent character acting as well as social justice issues for its time.

4) “Heat” (1995)

Directed by Michael Mann, “Heat” is one of the most explosive, and we mean that literally when it comes to the heist drama. Al Pacino stars as Lieutenant Hanna, who is determined to bring down Neil McCauley, a master criminal. “Heat” is known for its explosive shootouts and action scenes, especially the bank robbery scene downtown. However, it is also known for its intense character-driven storylines. Heat brings together Al Pacino and Robert De Niro since “Godfather 2,” and it also stars Val Kilmer.

3) “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001)

The 2001 “Ocean’s Eleven” remake stars George Clooney as the charming Danny Ocean. As soon as he gets out of prison, he begins plotting, robbing the biggest casino in town. To help him pull it off, he enlists the help of other masterful criminals played by Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and the late Bernie Mac. However, robbing the biggest local casino is much more than just money and thrills for Danny Ocean, it’s personal.

The “Ocean’s Eleven” remake expertly blends in timely comedic moments as well as develops the intense brotherhood between the bank robbers. “Ocean’s Eleven” proved to be so successful that it led to two direct sequels.

2) “Inside Man” (2006)

Considered one of the modern-day classics of the heist drama, “Inside Man” is directed by Spike Lee, who is known for developing these types of films. It also reunites Spike Lee with Denzel Washington since the iconic film, “X.” Denzel stars as Detective Frazier, who is being investigated by Internal Affairs over $140,000 missing from a payroll heist.

Given a new lease on his career, he is thrust into an unusual situation where a group of elite bank robbers and social justice warriors, led by Clive Owen, break into one of New York’s oldest banks. However, they don’t still have any money.

1) “The Town” (2010)

Starring and directed by Ben Affleck, Affleck stars as Doug MacRay, one of many notorious bank robbers terrorizing banks in the Boston Area. However, during the last robbery, the group took a hostage to help with their escape. Seeing that the Feds are closing in on them, Doug is forced to do one last job while he falls in love with the hostage.

Conclusion

We could go on naming more films in the captivating heist drama. Some other notable mentions include the amusing 1999 remake and rebranding of “The Thomas Crown Affair,” with Pierce Brosnan from the James Bond movies and Rene Russo, as well as “The Bank Job.” Besides pulling off the big job, the art of the heist drama is getting to know the motivations behind the heist, as well as the complicated storylines for the main characters.

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Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

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