Top 10 Heist Films: Mythical Robberies

Description: While not strictly a heist film, "Heat" features a legendary bank robbery scene that has become iconic. The film's portrayal of the cat-and-mouse game between a master thief and a determined cop elevates it to mythical status.

Fact: The famous diner scene between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino was improvised, with the actors meeting for the first time on set to create an authentic interaction.

Description: An insurance investigator and a master thief engage in a game of cat and mouse, with the heist involving a priceless Chinese mask. The film's setting and the chemistry between Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones give it a mythical allure.

Fact: The film's famous scene where Zeta-Jones walks through a laser grid was done with real lasers, requiring precise choreography.

Description: A sophisticated art thief, Thomas Crown, engages in a game of cat and mouse with an insurance investigator. The film's heist, involving a priceless painting, is executed with such flair that it feels like a myth come to life.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1968 film starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. The iconic scene where Crown steals the painting was shot in one continuous take.

Description: Based on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street robbery in London, this film adds a layer of intrigue with its political and royal implications, turning a real-life heist into a mythical tale of daring and deception.

Fact: The film was initially banned in the UK due to concerns over the content involving the British Royal Family, but it was eventually released with some modifications.

Description: A master thief agrees to one last job, a heist of a priceless scepter from a Montreal customs house. The film's tension and the legendary status of its characters make it a memorable addition to the heist genre.

Fact: This was Robert De Niro's last film before taking a break from acting for several years.

Description: Danny Ocean and his team of eleven plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. The film's charm lies in its star-studded cast and the seemingly impossible nature of the heist, making it a modern-day legend in the genre.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film, and it was the first in a trilogy, followed by "Ocean's Twelve" and "Ocean's Thirteen."

Description: This modern classic features a team of thieves who plan an audacious gold heist in Venice, only to be betrayed by one of their own. The film's iconic Mini Cooper chase through the narrow streets of Italy is a testament to the film's mythical status in heist cinema.

Fact: The film was a remake of the 1969 British film of the same name. The original plan was to use Fiat 500s, but Mini Coopers were chosen for their iconic look and better performance.

Description: A group of bank robbers from Charlestown, Boston, execute a series of heists, with one job leading to unexpected complications. The film's gritty realism combined with its high-stakes heists makes it feel like a modern-day myth.

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan, and Ben Affleck, who also directed, did extensive research in Charlestown to ensure authenticity.

Description: While not a traditional heist, "Inception" involves stealing an idea from someone's subconscious, making it a heist on an entirely different level. The film's complex narrative and dream-within-a-dream structure give it a mythical quality.

Fact: The film required extensive visual effects work, with over 500 hours of footage shot for the dream sequences.

Description: Based on the real-life 1855 robbery of a train carrying gold, this film adds a layer of Victorian charm and historical intrigue, making the heist feel like a legend from another era.

Fact: The film was directed by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the novel on which it was based.