Ad ogni costo

What a brilliant caper movie! Before I go on, though, I need to point out that this movie is a reworking of the movie Rififi (1954)--a French caper movie. While Rififi generally gets higher marks among critics, I also liked this one.

The movie is unusual in that it has such a multinational cast and quite a bit of the movie is dubbed because of this. This didn't matter to say the least. However, it was interesting to see Adolfo Celi in the movie. He was the lead villain in Bond's THUNDERBALL and in this movie his voice is dubbed with a totally different voice and so he sounds a lot different.

Now on to what I loved--the complicated and exciting plot. It just keeps you guessing again and again--even up until the last scene. Also, the acting was great and the characters were well-written--everyone seemed to be at the top of their form.

So, if you want a movie about a gang of thieves pulling the ultimate heist and want to see one that's among the best, give this film a try--if you can find it, as it's not exactly a well-known flick. Perhaps with so many films like it ("Topkapi", "The Killing""Bob le Flambeur" and many others) it just got lost in the process.,

I think this is the best heist film ever made, surpassing its supposed inspiration, "Rififi". Fast pace, suspenseful and brilliantly photographed, it is a must see for all caper film buffs. The problem seems that no one seems to know WHO owns the rights to Telecast this film. It would be great on DVD too.

All fans of uninspired and pretentious nowadays heist movies, like "Now you see me" or "Ocean's Eight", should also have the decency to seek out the older classics of the genre, because they are a dozen times more inventive, original and exhilarating. Yes, I do realize this statement makes me sound like an old and nagging sourpuss. Anyways, I'm referring to classics like "Charley Varrick" or the original "The Italian Job" (1968), but even more to the flamboyant Euro-Exploitation efforts, like "Kriminal", "Danger: Diabolik" or "Grand Slam". This downright awesome, near-perfect thriller owes a lot to the French landmark "Rififi", but stands on itself as one of the coolest crime-capers ever made!

The great Edward G. Robinson, film-noir legend of the 30s and 40s, stars as a recently retired schoolteacher who worked in Rio de Janeiro his entire career. For more than 30 years, he stared at a diamond company across the street, and had the time to meticulously plan the most daring heist of the century. He needs to recruit specialists in particular areas, however, and ask the help of his old pal Mark Milford (Adolfo Celi) who has the - hand down - most genius database of criminals, arranged by there area of expertise! Four men, including the almighty Klaus Kinski, are hired to pull off the heist, but many complications arise, like a difficult-to-seduce secretary who holds the office keys, a brand new & hi-tech alarm system, carnival parades in the Rio city center and distrust among themselves.

"Grand Slam" probably borrowed several ideas and crucial key-elements from other titles; - Italian films usually do that. But I also know for a fact that even more films, like "Entrapment" or the "Ocean's 11" remake, took nifty little e elements from this gem. The preparation for the heist is absorbing and intelligent, whereas the actual heist is nail-bitingly tense. The four master-criminals are amazing! It's too bad you know from beforehand this type of film never ends well for them, because you honestly will root for them. The ultimate twist is a bit tacky, admittedly, but back then movies just had to end with a harsh "crime doesn't pay" message. Final word of praise goes out for the fantastic soundtrack, courtesy of - who else - Ennio Morricone. Great music, for a great film!

Released in the USA by Paramount as GRAND SLAM in the late sixties, this slickly-made heist film is a first-rate effort exploiting the Jules Dassin classic, RIFIFI. The all-star international cast is exceptional, with Klaus Kinski being the standout. One of the best of it's kind, and still enjoyable today. Ennio Morricone wrote the eclectic score, featuring some catchy bossa-nova tunes to complement the location. Thanks to Image Entertainment, the picture is now available on DVD in a widescreen version to capture all the excitement! Check it out.

This film belongs to the top ten that the sixties decade provided us, a gritty heist movie without comedy. Admit that the Italian co productions of those years were mostly semi comedy topics, maybe not hilarious, but light hearted. Once again, we have Edward G Robinson involved in a major heist, remember him in THE SEVEN THIEVES, directed by Hank Hathaway, back in 1959. No realism here, only myth and excitement, a great film de genre, on the same scale as SEVEN GOLDEN MEN, but maybe more serious though. Casting over the top for this kind of feature. And what I like the most in this picture is that there is no ONLY, UNIQUE lead character, but a bunch of lead ones, and not played by super stars, not widely known actors. The most known : Adolfo Celli and Eddy Robinson have only supporting roles, and at the lowest level. The influence of RIFIFI, TOPKAPI, CAPER OF THE GOLDEN BULLS is so obvious, for the heist itself, with no talk, and also the technological part of the preparation, with the alarm system and the safe. Rather dark story for this kind of topic. No light hearted for sure.