MovieChat Forums > Topkapi (1964) Discussion > Sorry, weak film! Don't recommend.

Sorry, weak film! Don't recommend.

posted 16 years ago by hobartz
19 replies | jump to latest

Compare this one to 1969's "The Italian Job." Much better story, action, characters, plot development, humor, and the dame was much better looking in TIJ.

I agree that Ustinov was good in this film, but everybody else was pretty lame and the "LSD-dreamlike" opening sequence is just hopelessly poorly done.

My god! If I was a jewel thief dealing with inept scum like Ustinov, I'd be watching for Turkish "watchers" which were always lurking about so obviously. This film lost it early on.

This must have been some kind of European-run flick. Pretty boring.

[–] Molly-31 16 years ago

Curiously enough, I know what you mean. It's a terrific concept, but somehow poorly executed and I'm not sure why. Even with Ustinov.

[–] Devinm1978 16 years ago

I really, really, really wanted to love this film but I just didn't. I, too struggle to understand why.

[–] LosMagandos76 16 years ago

Get a life !! its one of the best Heist/caper films ever made.

"If the milk turns out to be sour, I ain't the kinda pussy to drink it." -Mr Rory Breaker

[–] ethereal_tb 16 years ago

Huh? I thought this movie was fabulous!

"A bit of musicality, PLEASE!" Strictly Ballroom

[–] Thrift_Store_Junkie05 15 years ago

I actually think Jules Dassin's Topkapi is in the company of some of the greatest heist films ever made. It most certainly provided the template for numerous other lighthearted capers and despite your own dissatisfaction with the film, Topkapi also provides plenty of mirth and amusement, not to mention, it's intelligent and directed quite skillfully and stylishly.

"I hope I never get so old I get religious." Ingmar Bergman

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Eric-1226 15 years ago

Just curious, mylesag, but what are the other two best heist films? I'm always open to movie suggestions.

BTW I heartily recommend a little-known heist film, "Hot Money" (2001, British film). It's about a team of cleaning ladies who plot to steal thousands of pounds of old, worn-out banknotes destined to be destroyed, from the Bank of England by taking them from the incinerators and hiding them in their underwear. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it was a stunningly marvelous little heist film.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0305648/

"A little old lady got mutilated late last night… Werewolves of London again."

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] bstar56 15 years ago

to the OP: if you really really want to like this movie but didn't first time 'round, try watching it again. It all gelled for me on the second viewing, and I just can't seem to get enough of it now.

[–] JaneSchmo 14 years ago

I've never seen The Italian Job but I agree that Topkapi is lame.

Melina Mercouri is, sorry, hideous. She aged terribly and it really shows in this movie.

The opening sequence was terrible and totally inconsistent with what came later.

Even for a heist movie, it was ludicrous that someone as stupid and bumbling as the Ustinov character could do half of what he did. His character felt as if he came from a heist screwball comedy along the lines of The Pink Panther and not from a heist movie like this one. Nevertheless, he was great; his performance is one of the only reasons to see the movie.

As Pauline Kael pointed out, the entire cast seems to be working too hard at being a merry bunch of rascals.

The only reason to see it is Ustinov and the sequence where the gymnast lifts the case.

stopjohnofgod.blogspot.com

stopsylvia.com

[–] fortunate1 13 years ago

I'm surprised no one's mentioned "Gambit" with Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine and Herbert Lom. It has a lot in common with many of these heist films -including this one- with the added attraction of a very charming cast.

A very charming cast and a twist of the plot that's completely unforeseeable and thus very, very good. The summary of the film can be found at its IMDb home page, but reading the plot summary there will by definition be a spoiler. So save the delight of being bamboozled and just see the film -you can always read the spoiler afterwards.

"Gambit" (1964): [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060445/]

~ This is a re-posting, but I realised I wanted to catch a more current audience! ~

[–] mikexx 10 years ago

Heaven forbid a 44 year-old actress ever be cast in a role calling for a mature woman.

[–] JaneSchmo 13 years ago

Agreed. She looks HORRIBLE through the whole film and her voice sounds like that of an old drunken man.

It's not so bad that it is unwatchable- but it is pretty bad.

stopjohnofgod.blogspot.com

stopsylvia.com

[–] lnoft97 13 years ago

Yikes. Worst dye job I've ever seen in the movies.

And that ending? I really don't get it (and I'm not alone here). I understand "crime doesn't pay" and they put in a 2-minute prison scene, which seems terribly rushed. Then they're plotting the next caper? Well, wouldn't they be in prison there for YEARS? They'd be too old. And the authorities would be watching them.

Just dumb. Nice scenery, some suspense, some good performances, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it again.

[–] oscarunger 12 years ago

aside from melina being miscast (she's about 7 years too long in the tooth for the role...) i like this film a lot, maybe it feels too familiar to many because its been copied so many times (its the quintessential 'lighthearted caper romp', it was also the inspiration for the original mission impossible - i stole that one from trivia (-: the first mi film took the heist scene from topkapi pretty much as well - the suspended by a wire bit - ) i thought the second half was brilliant, ustinov is great in it as well...

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] zap644 12 years ago

"LSD-dreamlike" opening sequence?

Are you sure you saw this movie?