Home :: DVD :: Classics  

Action & Adventure
Boxed Sets
Comedy
Drama
General
Horror
International
Kids & Family
Musicals
Mystery & Suspense
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Silent Films
Television
Westerns
How to Steal a Million

How to Steal a Million

List Price:
Your Price:
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 >>

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A Diverting Bit of Fluff
Review: It must have seemed like a good idea at the time and "How To Steal A Million" is not really a bad movie - it's just not as good as it might have been.

Probably intended as a follow-up to Audrey Hepburn's fun romp "Charade" - which shares this film's Parisian setting - "How To..." is doomed to suffer by comparison. To start with, director William Wyler, at the end of a long career, lacks the light touch of "Charade's" Stanley Donen. And, surprisingly good though he is, Peter O'Toole is no Cary Grant. But then the script is not a great help either.

Briefly, the plot revolves around Hepburn - as the daughter of an unrepentant art forger - and her need to "steal" a sculpture Papa has lent to a museum - before tests can prove it's a fake. She enlists the help of suave, overly confident O'Toole who she believes to be an upper class art thief. In reality, he is an art forgery expert on the trail of Papa. Together, the mismatched pair carry out a moderately complicated and inventive heist of the statue. Of course, love rears its inevitable head along the way.

One of the film's problems is its big budget. Everything is bright and glossy and shiny and brand new. Designer clothes look like they were put on the moment before the camera started to roll. Makeup is always perfect and hair is never out of place. Such lavish production values look wonderful in a musical but tend to slow down or even overwhelm a comedy. Even the music is too much. Where a frothy Mancini concoction was required, there is John Williams instead. His score was terrible in the sixties - it sounds even worse now.

But there is still much to enjoy in the film - most of it provided by the chemistry between Hepburn and O'Toole. For once, Audrey's waif-like personality actually suits her role and she even seems to have a laugh or two at her own image. O'Toole demonstrates what a versatile actor he could be, tossing off quips and varying reactions like a comic pro. It's too bad he didn't do more comedies as he always seemed to enjoy them. Equally good fun is Hugh Griffith as yet another irasible old codger. But Charles Boyer is virtually wasted (he has one good line: "I know it's a Van Gogh, but who painted it?") while Eli Wallach's twitchy performance is downright embarrassing.

Films like this used to roll off the assembly line back in the sixties and there were certainly many that were a lot worse than this one. Fans of Hepburn and O'Toole will like - if not love - it. And viewers unencumbered by great expectations will probably have a good time as well. If nothing else, as Rick said to Ilsa: we'll always have Paris.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A fun film.
Review: Let's face it. If you're looking at this movie review, you've either seen it before, and in which case know what it is about or are an Audrey Hepburn fan, so you won't mind if I focus mainly on her. (Sorry, Peter O'Toole and Moustache fans.) I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by her performance. Now, don't get upset with me Audrey fans (a group with which I am a proud card-carrying member), let me explain first. Ms. Hepburn is as loverly, beautiful, (though she does look different with false eyelashes and her hair covering her forehead) charming and delightful as ever. It is just that she is given nothing to do except follow around O'Toole's character for the entire film. This is unfortunate, because she is completely convincing when she does have the chance to explore her character. Audrey Hepburn is a tremendous comic actress, and this could have been a chance for her to shine, and she does in parts. In the same way a narrowing of her brows or a hurt look in her eye or a tremor in her voice can break your heart, the way she sits on a bucket, scrubs a floor, or peeks from under a hat hopelessly to large for her can send you into rolling laughter. She just never gets a many good chances here. O'Toole is very good as a charming 'thief' and he and Hepburn share some tame chemistry. His performance surprised me, as the mention of O'Toole brings to mind immediately "Lawrence of Arabia". He proves quite convincing, however. William Wyler, who directed "Ben-Hur" and Audrey's only Oscar winning performance in "Roman Holiday" (it seems criminal that she won only one, doesn't it?) does a fantastic job here not letting the material get away from him and allowing the story and performances to speak for themselves. Some tense moments and a clever screenplay make this a very entertaining, fast-paced romantic-comedy. That doesn't exactly read right, does it? This is light-hearted fare, and very well done, something not seen at all these days. This film gets enthusiastic four stars from me. It would be three stars with a different actress and five if Audrey had had anything to work with.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Charming Film
Review: Maybe I am biased because I'm Audrey's number one fan, but, I find this film absolutely entertaining and charming. The chemistry between Hepburn and O'Toole is great, the script is well written and Audrey's costumes are divine!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I can't say enough good things about this movie
Review: My friend lent me this movie and I loved it from the first moment to the last, all four times I saw it. I'll just address various aspects that stood out to me...

The cast... Peter O'Toole has a very nice voice. Of course being Irish he would. He also possesses the prettiest eyes I think I've ever seen. He was perfect for the part. Nothing ruffles him, ever. Audrey Hepburn was wonderful too. Although one or two of her outfits left much to be desired... particularly the kooky one she wears on her first appearance in the movie. Her hair was definitely 60's, too. The dude who played Davis Leland was one winner. Once again they picked the perfect person. He had just the right measure of weirdness. The man who played Audrey's pappy was really weird too - with the beard and the bug-eyes and crazy hair. And I mustn't forget Senor Paravideo... for the two minutes of screen time he was given he did a superb job worshipping the phoney Van Gogh.

The plot and dialogue were both sparkling. No matter how frantic Audrey gets, Peter has a calm wisecrack to throw back at her. I love the part when he pretends to be seriously injured and she drives him home. Every museum scene was splendid, particularly the long museum scene when they steal the Venus. Very romantic and humourous. You gotta love the 60's music that plays when he's fooling with the key to the closet. Also the scene when she recruits his assistance to steal her own statue. She is wearing an outfit she should have won an award for. I have never seen such a weird outfit in my life! Black lace tights, slinky black dress, and a black hat with a lace mask over her eyes. And nobody thought she looked suspicious???

All I can say is buy this stunning picture right away and I hope you watch it and enjoy it as many times as I have.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A recipe for fabulous entertainment...
Review: Take "How to Steal a Million" and one 1968 "Thomas Crown Affair" - add a glass of champagne, a splash of Givenchy, and a sprinkle of panache... chill for 30 years, and you get the 1999 Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan. If you liked the 1999 film, you must see the two classics that add up to its plot. You'll love it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Clever O'Toole and gorgeous Audrey in 1960s fluff
Review: The moment when Peter O'Toole's fantastic, wry face is fully revealed is breathtaking. Honest! Audrey is lovely, chic and only glancingly "Parisienne," but who cares? A fun movie, and I'm sure O'Toole was, as usual for him during the 1960's, half-soused while making this good-looking film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "..OH, PA-PAHHH...SELLING A FAKE MASTERPIECE IS A 'CRIME'! "
Review: This delightful comedy has all the delicate sparkle of a newly-opened bottle of French Champagne. Forget "My Fair Lady," forget "Breakfast At Tiffany's,"...1966's "HOW TO STEAL A MILLION" is Audrey Hepburn's best film from the 1960's. One of the last great romantic comedies of style to be filmed before the anti- establishment films of the late '60's prevailed, "How To Steal A Million" combines the elements of visual elegance (opulence even, look at the purple velvet bannisters and carpet on the golden staircase in Audrey Hepburn's Paris chateau) with sophisticated dry wit; a beautiful, romantic score with a "kooky" twist on the "French farce." Beautiful scenery, sublime chaos, near-Hitchcockian-intrigue, zippy car chases in quirky autos, and Audrey Hepburn's wacky fashions make for one of the best combinations the screen has seen so far. Ironically, the best twist in this story is that the "MILLION" Audrey Hepburn's and Peter O'Toole's characters are trying to "STEAL" is not what they 'actually' ARE stealing (on purpose). To figure that one out...watch AND ENJOY this MAGNIFICENT movie! "Oh, Pa-Pahhhh! ..."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sleek, Slender, and Sensuous
Review: This is a clever, quick-paced comedy that sparkles with charm and warmth. Director William Wyler uses an inventive plot with suspenseful twists to detail a Parisian art theft. Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole are marvelous. From naive innocence in "Roman Holiday," to feminine grace in "Sabrina," and elegant sophistication in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," Hepburn was at once poignant, sentimental, and mischievous. After exhibiting extraordinary range as the reluctant warrior and driven messiah in "Lawrence of Arabia" to the shy and affecting Arthur Chipping in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," O'Toole proves to be a master at understated comedy. Together they concoct a chemistry rife with humor, wit, and innuendo. Their chaste romance virtually sizzles beneath a veneer of civility!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Audrey, Peter, Paris
Review: This is a wonderful, funny, sweet movie. There are hilarious scenes in it all throughout. It works from beginning to end. SEE IT!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: where is this DVD?
Review: This is my favorite of all Audrey Hepburn movies. Audrey lives with her grandfather who is a sweet, charming and delightful criminal. He has copied a famous statue which he is passing as the real thing. Peter O'Toole is the character sent to check out the authenticity of the statue. He falls for Audrey and helps her to steal the fake from the museum before the dear grandfather is discovered. Audrey's comic timing is perfect and she has great chemistry with O'Toole who is as handsome as can be. You will adore this movie so lets get this thing digitized!!!!


<< 1 2 3 4 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates