Le casse

...that's if you can get it at all. I haven't seen a copy of this movie in about 15 years, and it's only because it has such a dumb title that I can even remember what it was called.

Honestly, I can't remember anything about 'The Burglars', which I saw once, in about 1989, other than the fact that it has the most amazing car chase I've ever seen. I remember thinking the stunt drivers must have been madmen. No special effects, slow-motion or anything; just insane high speed driving through the streets of Athens. Steven Spielberg is supposed to have said that 'The Castle of Cagliostro' had the best car chase ever filmed. I guess he can't have seen this one. Honestly, it's just nuts.

As for the rest of the film, I don't remember, and frankly, who cares. If I ever track down another copy, it'll only be for one reason (and BTW, I'm not a car-chase, or even action-film buff. I mean, I thought 'Gone in 60 seconds' was as boring as dirt, as well as being utterly stupid. But I will always make room for the best example of any genre, and if car-chases were a genre, this would be my pick)

Well, that wan't much of a review, was it? But from what I remember, it wasn't much of a movie except for the... yeah, yeah, OK: you get the idea by now.

Whether this film was intended as a caper movie or a parody of a caper movie is its chief mystery. Jean-Paul Belmondo plays a super-cool jewel thief bedeviled by Omar Sharif, a super-cool detective. Dyan Cannon, a centerfold model, shows up whenever the improbable script gropes for sexual intrigue. Although based on a novel by David Goodis, a far superior movie was written by the novelist and directed by Paul Wendkos: "The Burglar" (1957), starring Dan Duryea and Jayne Mansfield. Henri Verneuil's version begins, not with character, but with the tiresome employment of what appears to be a Professional Safe-Cracker Tool Kit, from Home Depot. The chase scene seems even more artificial when relevant issues, like who is chasing whom and for what purpose are not revealed. It's typical of the brittle nature of the whole project that much time is spent on what's for dinner and stunts, which must be worked out with such balletic precision, that they seem entirely inorganic to the thin plot. The sadistic homoerotic gun teasing scenes are no fun. At least, we do get a strip-tease from beautiful Pamela Stanford. Oo-la-la! Mercifully, David Goodis, whose intriguing themes are tossed aside in a couple of weak lines, died before this version was born.

Great car chase sequence (which like everyone said has NOTHING to do with the plot of the movie--it mostly just introduces the idea that Omar Shariff is a bad ass as well.) Movie is good escapist entertainment---Bellmondo steals a bunch of emeralds from the safe of some dude's house in a Greek island and said dude hires Shariff (who is a cop) to bring them emeralds on home. A lot of alternating scenes of smooth talking between the two and chasing follow--somehow Dyan Cannon as a visiting American model enters the plot as a potential ally for Bellmondo---even tho her role makes very little sense, its still totally worth it for one sequence in which Bellmondo slaps her silly and those slaps turn on and turn off the lights in her apt--(her apt apparently was an early beta tester of The Clapper! its very very funny and got a huge laugh from the audience who actually came out to see a re-screening of this the other week.) Very enjoyable movie overall--but far from perfect--but who the hell needs perfection when you have that car chase and a drunken Omar Shariff right? seriously that was a legitimate question!

The first adaptation of David Goodis' novel 'The Burglar', directed by Paul Wendkos, is well shot and gritty but marred by the pretentious dialogue of the author's own screenplay.

As a complete contrast, in this later version from Henri Verneuil, glitz replaces grit and Vahé Katcha's dialogue is infinitely more prosaic.

Verneuil and Jean-Paul Belmondo had made their first film together in 1962 and nine years later they are on their fourth. It is essentially a comic book treatment which enables its star to do what his legion of fans adore which is to perform well choreographed, daredevil stunts and beat people up whilst keeping his tongue firmly in his cheek. We also have an obligatory girlie show and a car chase that goes on and on and on.......

The most interesting feature here is the dynamic between Belmondo as the thief and Omar Sharif as the crooked cop. Sharif invests a nasty piece of work with his immense charm and his French is impeccable.

Although technically proficient, this mucho macho nonsense is now very much a period piece which has not dated well and reminds us that Verneuil was the most American of French directors. American cinema basically fulfills the need to be distracted and here Verneuil has delivered two hours of total distraction.

There are few reasons to watch this well made action, thriller, heist, fun flick: 1) Awesome car chase in the streets of Prauge (Another reason to watch)that makes all those CGI look alike cry. 2) The restaurant scene which will make you want to eat those tasty looking dishes, while Omar Sheriff and Belmondo are having a witty dialog. 3) Belmondo over the top stunts, you have to see to believe. This guy was nuts alright. 4) Excellent as always, Ennio Morricone soundtrack. 5) The funny Ending.

If you are looking for a good 70's action fun, with some nice exotic places, with great car chase and good cast, go a head try it!