The Biggest Bundle of Them All

I don't go for that many "heist" comedies, and I might not care for this one if it weren't for the actors, when it was made, and when I FIRST SAW it (just a few years later). It's almost too similar to "The Happening" (even though it's obviously a much less serious comedy than that one) - Mafia figure takes over his own kidnapping, or rather, turns it in a different direction altogether. Of course, Raquel Welch didn't play the kind of sharp character Faye Dunaway did in The Happening, but that doesn't make it a sexist film either - she was practically playing a stock character, almost HER version of a "moll"! But, I'm completely biased - it's among the first films I ever saw with her, and at the time I saw it, you couldn't turn around without seeing a poster of her (luckily). I think Robert Wagner was really just right as the neither thoroughly likable nor dis-likable leader of the group, as were Edward G. Robinson (naturally) and Vittoria De Sica. And Godfrey Cambridge, an actor who always managed to be funny.

I've got as much testosterone as the next bloke, and Raquel Welch at her finest is certainly worth a look; but the fact is that a cardboard cut-out could act better, and an hour and half of Ms. W showing off her credentials does not a movie make.

Considering the cast, it's surprising that it's as bad as it is. I've never been a big fan of Wagner, and his tough guy Harry is about as convincing as a 9-dollar bill. Godfrey Cambridge and Vittorio de Sica, both of whom I usually enjoy, seem to be sleeping through their lines; and as for Edward G...well, I can only assume he was there for the paycheck.

This film is a mess: from non-existent plot, through stop-start action and unfunny script to puerile slapstick and annoying 60's 'caper' music. If it weren't for Miss Welch, I'd have given it a 0.

That said, she is a treat to the eyes - even better than her delicious cameo in 'Bedazzled' - and for that reason alone I gave it a 3.

"The Biggest Bundle of Them All" is a caper film that would have worked much better had the story either been funnier or a serious story. As it is, this hybrid story left me very cold.

When the story begins, a gang of misfits kidnaps a famous mobster (Vittorio De Sica). But they soon learn the man has little money and instead of just releasing him, the kidnap victim gets them to agree to make him the boss and pull a really big heist...$5,000,000! But unfortunately, the gang turn out to be complete idiots...too much so.

The story seemed incomplete. I have no idea why Raquel Welch was there other than to be nice eye candy. I have no idea why several of the gang members were afraid of guns and violence. And, I have no idea why De Sica and Edward G. Robinson would agree to be in a film with such a weak script. Overall, dull and difficult to believe.

I agree with moonspinner55's review.

It's painful to watch Wagner play a simple pain-in-the-ass, or Cambridge play a bumbler with no good scenes.

Welch is very pretty, but like everyone else here, her one dimensional character adds nothing.

Nobody here has an interesting character, nor is there any humor evident in the first 50 minutes (after which I stopped).

I enjoy wacky caper comedies, but though this movie tries to be one, it never comes close.

If you spend two hours on this, you're spending more time on it than the writers did.

A nice trip to Italy and a good paycheck is what probably got Robert Wagner, Raquel Welch and Edward G. Robinson over from America to make The Biggest Bundle Of Them All. Not to mention Godfrey Cambridgr who has a few funny moments in this routine caper film.

All, but Robert Wagner have no criminal activity to their credit. Wagner has recruited Welch, Cambridge, Davy Kaye and Francesco Mule to kidnap deported old Mafia don Vittorio DeSica to hold for ransom. Problem is that he's so long out of the criminal business no one figures DeSica is worth paying for.

DeSica feeling rejected and unwanted decides to get back in action and this mob of misfits is whom he recruits. He also gets Edward G. Robinson who is a Sam Jaffe like caper planner. Robinson and DeSica decide to rob a train carrying platinum bars.

Somehow this crew with a lot of problems makes it come off. Pretty routine. But the ending with a variation is borrowed from Ocean's 11.

Raquel Welch does look great in a bikini.