The 'heist' film has developed over many years as a subgenre within 'crime' films. Initially, the format was hooked on how the characters themselves created the failure. Later, the films started looking deeper at the characters and plots and began moving away from the standard tropes.
Every great 'heist' film still maintains familiar elements. One of the 'must-haves' is a mastermind. This person can have many roles to play. They might plan the robbery, pull together the team of specialists and/or play a central role in how the caper plays out. They also may have an ulterior motive for pulling the job.
Below is a list of the finest heist masterminds (in chronological order with a well-known quote for fun) ... but which of these is the number one mastermind?
List/Poll Rules Minimum IMDB film rating = 7.0 / No remakes / Only the first film in series
List URL = https://www.imdb.com/list/ls099002193/
Every great 'heist' film still maintains familiar elements. One of the 'must-haves' is a mastermind. This person can have many roles to play. They might plan the robbery, pull together the team of specialists and/or play a central role in how the caper plays out. They also may have an ulterior motive for pulling the job.
Below is a list of the finest heist masterminds (in chronological order with a well-known quote for fun) ... but which of these is the number one mastermind?
List/Poll Rules Minimum IMDB film rating = 7.0 / No remakes / Only the first film in series
List URL = https://www.imdb.com/list/ls099002193/
Posted 3 months ago
FYC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059825/mediaviewer/rm3057892096
Burt Lancaster in 'The Train'
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072251/mediaviewer/rm64527105?ft0=name&fv0=nm0001727&ft1=image...
Robert Shaw in 'The Taking of Pelham 123'
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092007/mediaviewer/rm658019073
William Shatner in 'Star Trek IV'
Yes they stole a whale and were in a stolen Klingon Bird of Prey!!! Kirk was the mastermind.....
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059825/mediaviewer/rm3057892096
Burt Lancaster in 'The Train'
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072251/mediaviewer/rm64527105?ft0=name&fv0=nm0001727&ft1=image...
Robert Shaw in 'The Taking of Pelham 123'
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092007/mediaviewer/rm658019073
William Shatner in 'Star Trek IV'
Yes they stole a whale and were in a stolen Klingon Bird of Prey!!! Kirk was the mastermind.....
(Edited)
Thanks, Ed.
Added Burt Lancaster/The Train.
I thought about Robert Shaw/TTOP123 for a while. I think it's a kidnapping/ransom story rather than a heist. Happy to hear what you/others think.
Now Star Trek IV ... hmmm. Even at a stretch, I'm not sure this is a heist movie. I like your thinking though; maybe we need a 'best heist in a non-heist film' poll ;-)
Added Burt Lancaster/The Train.
I thought about Robert Shaw/TTOP123 for a while. I think it's a kidnapping/ransom story rather than a heist. Happy to hear what you/others think.
Now Star Trek IV ... hmmm. Even at a stretch, I'm not sure this is a heist movie. I like your thinking though; maybe we need a 'best heist in a non-heist film' poll ;-)
rubyfruit76, Champion
rubyfruit76, Champion
Nighthawk
The reason I didn't add the original Ocean's 11 is because it's rated below 7.0. I've amended the Poll rule for clarity to "No remakes (unless the first version isn't rated 7.0)". Good spot.
I was hoping someone would suggest "How to Steal a Million" ... I wasn't absolutely sure whether to include it or who we should say is the 'Mastermind' (is it Audrey Hepburn?). I've added it as you propose.