Rating: 
Summary: This Is Often Mistakenly Referred To As A Caper Movie
Review: The original Ocean's 11 is NOT about the crime itself - which takes so little screen time to pull. It is more about the idea of the crime.Several friends of mine like this original version so much more than the recently released big screen "remake" - and these same friends think the original film is awful! I don't agree it's awful. I think there are a number of clever touches that the new version has foolishly ignored. It is made clear in the 1960 film that those with criminal records would not be able to get near a casino. In the Clooney version they ALL have criminal records. And the idea of a crack military team pulling the job has a better chance of succeeding :non-professionals avoids the problem of stool pigeons among known criminals. That's very clever, and absent from the new version. The new version is clever in other ways, but too pat. And the original's wry ending is a bonus. At least the Clooney version has a few sly references to the original - but not enough. They are very different films. I will admit I think that Frank and the boys' performances lack punch - with the exception of Cesar Romero. That is understandable when you realize they were performing on stage all night at the same time filming was taking place. I think most people who would buy this would know that - but for those who don't, the big plus of this DVD is Frank Sinatra, Jr.'s informative, knowledgable and very generous commentary. He also provides commentary for Robin and the 7 Hoods on DVD, which I regard as the superior of the two films (although it is a little disconcerting to hear him refer to his father as Frank, or worse yet, just Sinatra).
Rating: 
Summary: So dated its like a time machine
Review: It is very strange to see this film and then to watch the George Clooney remake. The original was the first film to star the "Rat Pack" that is Frank Sinatra's fellow drinking, fellow womanising crew. It is hard to imagine a modern audience enjoying this film much. The original appeal was to see a group of starts, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis etc who oozed appeal and talent. They were filmed in a "glamerous world" of Vegas. Nowdays no one would really know who most of the stars were and to a modern viewer the cast seems to be sleep walking. Vegas also seems insignificant compared to what it is now. The film appears to be shot inside the actual Casino's and in 1960 they were small one floored places which lacked the glamour they do today. The plot involves a former army officer who gets his old outfit to do a series of robberies. The idea being that 11 former paratroopers could pull of the "crime of the century". As such all of the cast look incredibly straight. All of them wear suits and ties and the contrast with the George Cluney remake is starteling. The main attraction of this film is that it captures the 50's so well. The sexism of the period, the attitudes to sex and the rudimentary technology of the period. It is an interesting film to watch from this point of view but as a film it has dated because no viewer seeing it now would be able to see the sorts of things which viewers in 1960 saw. That is the glamour, the magnatism of the stars and a plot that in its time might have been inventive but has now been done to death.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't let 'em scam you
Review: This movie might be preferable to rubbing beach sand in your eyes, but not by much.
Rating:
Summary: "Cocktail Lounge Cool Circa 1960"
Review: The marquee at the Sands hotel in January of 1960 was historic, even by Las Vegas standards FRANK SINATRA
DEAN MARTIN
SAMMY DAVIS
JOEY BISHOP
PETER LAWFORD The guys shot "Ocean's 11" by day and took over the stage of the Copa room at night for 'The Summit,' a show filled with song parodies and racial humor that was dated even 40 years ago... Example Dean picks up Sammy...carries him up to the mike and announces "I'd like to thank the B'nai Brith for this trophy." There's no doubt that these gentlemen were considered the zenith of Cocktail Lounge "cool" in 1960; they campaigned for politicians, exchanged 'broads', made movies, recorded for Frank's company and guested on each other's tv shows. Unfortunately, the film "Ocean's 11" turned out to be a dull, witless bore...a heist movie with all the suspense of an afternoon in the local supermarket. No matter... It was a way of spending a couple of hours with the country's leading adult swingers in the city they made their playground. DVD has excellent picture and sound transfer..commentary by Frank Jr (who turned 58 as I write this) FRANK JR--58???!!!!
and a clip from a 1977 "Tonight" show hosted by Sinatra with guest Angie Dickinson (who played Frank's ex-wife in the film). The new "Ocean's 11" may have a lot of hi-tech thrills...but Clooney, Pitt, Damon et al as appealing as they may be, simply AIN'T Frank, Dean and Sammy!
Rating: 
Summary: 7 COME 11....PLEASE!
Review: After we saw the new Movie called "OCEAN'S 11" Allen went out and rented a Video called 'OCEAN'S ELEVEN" so I could see the difference, (besides the 11/ELEVEN). The Film was made in 1960 from the Book by the same name. Lewis Milestone's the Director for Warner Brothers. ALLEN EXPLAINED SOME THINGS TO ME SO I WOULD UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS SEEING, (His Parents had told him this): 1) At the time the Movie was made each Casino in Las Vegas was owned by a different "Mob Family". To get past the very strict Las Vegas Gambling Laws other People were needed to own the majority of shares. 2) In each Casino there was the "cash room" and behind that was the "counting room". The "counting room" could not be entered by all shareholders. Only the Mob Family's Representatives could go into it. They went to "skim", (like my Family skim the cream off of 100 0/0 Milk when I was a Child), the percentage of money they would take before they divided the rest between all of the Shareholders. 3) The "skimmed" money was nicknamed "dirty" money and it had to be "laundered", (cleaned). In order to do this the Mob Family's need to own Legitimate Business' that dealt mostly in cash. These Buisness' would be Cafes, Bars, Garbage Companies and Funeral Homes. 4) There were no camera's in the "counting room" but it was protected by very big Men with very big Guns. 5) There was a "seeing eye", (camera), which allowed Security to watch every table in the Casino. THE STARS WERE KNOW AS THE "RAT PACK": Frank Sinatra-Danny Ocean Dean Martin-Sam Harmon Sammy Davis Jr.-Josh Howard Angie Dicknson-Beatrice Ocean Richard Conte-Tony Bergdorf Joey Bishop-Mushy O'Connors. Cesar Romero, (who was not one of the "Rat Pack"-Jock Santos Peter Lawford- (President John F. Kennedy's Brother-in-Law),-Jimmie Foster Shabo Quin-is a 105 lb. Chinese Acrobat ALSO APPEARING ARE: Ilka Chase-Mrs. Restes, (Jimmy's Mother), Buddy Lester-Vince Massler, Richard Benedict-George "Curly" Stephans, Jean Willes-Mrs. Gracie Bergdorf, Norman Fell-Peter Reimer a Demolition Expert, Hank Henry-Mr. Kelly who is a Mortician, Robert Foulk-Sheriff Wimmer, Red Skelton plays Himself, George Raft- Jack Strager who plays a Casino Owner, Ronnie Dapo-Timmy Bergdorf, (Tony's Son), Gregory Gaye-Freeman who is a Casino Owner, Hoot Gibson-The Deputy in charge of the Roadblock, Joe Gray-The Barber, John Indrisano-The Texan, Sparky Kaye-The Manager of the Riviera Hotel,Forrest Lederer- The Manager of Sands Hotel, Pinky Lee plays Himself, Shirley MacLaine-Tipsy Girl,Charles Meredith-Mr. Cohen a Mortician,Tom Middleton-Don Murphy, aTV Newscaster, Anne Neyland-Dolores, Red Norvo-"Vibraphonist",Steve Pendleton-Major Taylor,Carmen Phillips-Hungry girl, Louis Quinn-DeWolfe, Shiva-Snake dancer,Joan Staley-Helen,Barbara Sterling-Girl,George E. Stone-Proprietor and Jerry Velasco-a Harmonica playing Garbage Man. THE MUSIC WAS COMPOSED BY: Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. THE MUSIC WAS PLAYED BY: The Nelson Riddle Orcastra. THE SONGS WERE: Dean Martin sings "Ain't Love A Kick In The Head" and Sammy Davis Jr. sings and dances to "E.O.Eleven". I found it strange that Frank Sinatra does not sing. I loved the Scene where the Burlesque Dancers take off their clothes to the song called "The Tender Trap". MY OPINION: Danny Ocean was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. He needs money because his Marriage to Beatrice is in trouble. He decided to plan to rob the five biggest Casino's in Las Vegas on New Years Eve. To do this he need ten other People to help him. He goes out to find his 10 Pals from his old Division. He has not trouble convincing them into helping him as they all need money for a variety of reasons. Everyone can use the money especially Tony Bergdorf who needs some money for his Son's Education and Josh is driving a Garbage Truck, (and feels that after he won a Distinguished Service Metal he should have been treated better), The one person who can stop them is Jock Santos, (an ex-Convict). It takes a lot of "slapstick " tricks to do this. There is boxing Scene in this Film is between Mike Tyson and Holyfield. Davis takes down out electric Tower. This lets the group into the unprotected "conting rooms." During the Film is a lot of time for Danny and Sam to drink, joke, (a lot seem like insiders jokes), and smoke. I got very angry when Sam Harmon wants to remove the both the 14th and 20th Amendments of the United Stares so he can "make all Women Slaves"! Was this a joke in the '60's? I did like the Scenes at the "Platinum Horse Cabaret. The
"ladies" did an excellent part in acting their small roles. Will Duke Santos be the winner or the loser in the end? Do they get the money? This time I will tell you that they do. I won't be telling you because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who might want to see the Movie. I will also tell you after you see the Film you will be able to tell me the ending. This Movie is nothing like "Ocean's 11" that just opened in America this Week. If you decide to see it you will have a different experience and will not know what is going to happen next. MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I did enjoy the 1 1/2 hours of the Film but I felt it was dated. I guess Allen and I will have to disagree on this one! I will rate this a four to be fair. It would be of interest to People at Opinions who remember the "Rat Pack" and I would recommend this Video to them.
Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the hype or the nostalgia
Review: Frankly this film (is horrible). Nostalgia is a dangerous thing, and while all things Rat Pack are considered the height of retro-cool, Oceans 11 was just a bad movie. Why do you think it has been unavailable for so long? It is just that with all the pr surounding remake they thought they could sneak it in without anyone noticing it. This is not a slur on the cast, as they set out to just have a good time, which is obviously just what they did. However, in having such a good time they forgot a few crucial things.... such as acting, a script, a director, a plot etc etc. Oceans 11 is great idea and in the minds of those that haven't seen in for 20 years it is still cool, but in reality it is painfully unwatchable.
Rating: 
Summary: Still Fine, Baby!
Review: Call this an addendum: After seeing the Clooney release of OCEAN'S 11, I decided to add a few more thoughts. Well, the new movie is ALMOST better---more action and more pacing, better scriptwriting. In short, a technically superior film in most ways, which is marred by the one thing you can't put a price tag on---the chemistry. Although Clooney is grand (he swanks across the screen like a Bond villain on vacation), Brad Pitt is appropriately and irreverently serious, and Carl Reiner is outrageously funny, the "new crew" can't replicate the charisma of the Rat Pack. Although the Eleven in both films are con artists and thieves, they are the antiheroes we all dream of. At the end of the original, you feel for the "bad guys," who, after all, ain't really that bad ("Coo-coo, baby!"). The remake hardly introduces most of the Eleven, and you don't really give a Rat's Pack whether most of them get away with it or not. They're only props. Julia Roberts is curiously flat, colorless, and dried up as Danny Ocean's wife (where in the original, Angie Dickinson was undeniably THERE in what was a really very minor role). Andy Garcia is an evil presence as the "good guy" casino owner. Both films are worth your time. The one has what the other lacks. In short, if computer imnaging could ever morph the original actors into the remake, this might just be the best film ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Keeps You on your toes
Review: With the remake of this movie coming to theatres this weekend, I feel I best write a review of the original movie. Ocean's Eleven will probably be one of my favorite movies around. If they are showing it, I will watch. No, it probably wasn't Oscar calibrated material, and the guys here was just having fun while making a movie here, but, it was their money. But,now that the majority of these men are dead, it is fun to sit up and watch this caper from time to time.. It will keep you laughing,singing,at the edge of your seat and running for more. Now, I plan to see the new version of it soon and perhaps it would be interesting to see how they changed the film to fit today's standaards. I am sure it is worth a look see for that reason alone. But I am a classic movie buff, so I will be sentimental on the original.
Rating:
Summary: stinker
Review: Before seeing Soderbergh's remake I thought it would be a good thing to watch the originial. It stank. No-one (save two of the girls: Angie & Shirley) could be bothered to give a performance, no-one could be bothered to direct. It looked like the laziest piece of filmmaking I've seen since Bridget Jones's Diary. The excuse there was a first time director who was unable to display ANY knowledge of filmmaking; with Ocean's 11 there is no excuse - its director had made All Quiet on the Western Front! It has ONE good shot (and Bridget had at least three - but then give a chimp a typewriter and it might come up with SOME words correctly spelt. ) The good shot? The end, the one Soderbergh repeats before his own (superior) end.
I give it one star because you don't invite fewer.
Rating:
Summary: Nostalgic Fun
Review: OCEAN'S 11 is a real time-capsule classic. The ultimate "heist" movie, starring The Chairman of The Board, Dino, Sammy, Joey, Peter, and the rest of The Rat Pack, this one is worth seeing just to watch "the boys" hanging out together and getting into trouble. The late Fifties All-Adult ambience of Vegas is priceless, as is the hep cat cool which just oozes off the screen. Let's face it: How many men could get away with calling the President of the United States "Chickee Baby"? Well, Frank called JFK precisely that. Even Bill Clinton was never that swingin'! The storyline is a standard potboiler involving a group of old Army buddies setting up the biggest theft in American history, five Vegas casinos. Frankie ain't doin' no singin', and the film's a bit slow moving in spots. They're playing it a little too straight and serious,and there are less laughs than chuckles, and no sex, but the film was a product of it's times (1960) and still had to get past the censors in those days. Peter Lawford is over the line as a forty year old Mama's Boy trying for the Big Score. No matter how good the Clooney remake is, he won't touch this one at all...There's only one Rat Pack!
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