Top 10 Detective Films About Bank Heists

Description: Stanley Kubrick's early work involves a meticulously planned racetrack heist, with the detective work focusing on unraveling the complex plan after the fact. It's a classic example of how a heist can go wrong.

Fact: The film was shot in 24 days, and Kubrick used a non-linear narrative structure, which was innovative for its time.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows a bank robbery that spirals out of control, with Detective Moretti (Charles Durning) trying to negotiate with the robbers. It's less about the heist and more about the aftermath and the detective's role in resolving the situation.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life John Wojtowicz, whose story also influenced the creation of the film "The Dog."

Description: Directed by Michael Mann, this film focuses on Frank (James Caan), a professional safecracker, and his last big heist. While not a traditional detective film, the meticulous planning and execution of the heist are central to the plot.

Fact: The film's opening sequence, featuring a real-life welder, was shot in one continuous take.

Description: While primarily an action film, it features a bank heist subplot where an FBI agent (Keanu Reeves) infiltrates a group of surfers who are also bank robbers. The detective work here is more about undercover operations than traditional investigation.

Fact: The film's title refers to a surfing term, and the movie was inspired by real-life bank robbers known as the "Ex-Presidents."

Description: Michael Mann's epic crime drama features a legendary bank heist and the subsequent detective work by Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) to catch Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro). It's not just about the heist but the personal lives of both the criminals and the cops.

Fact: The famous diner scene between De Niro and Pacino was the first time these two actors shared the screen.

Description: This film is based on the real-life 1971 Baker Street robbery in London, where a group of amateur thieves tunneled into a bank vault. It's a thrilling mix of heist planning, execution, and the detective work that follows, with a twist of political intrigue.

Fact: The film was banned in the UK for many years due to its depiction of sensitive political information.

Description: Robert De Niro plays a master thief who plans one last heist, but the film also delves into the detective work of figuring out how to pull off the heist without getting caught. It's a study in meticulous planning and execution.

Fact: This was Marlon Brando's last film before his death.

Description: This remake of the 1969 film involves a heist in Venice, Italy, followed by a complex plan to retrieve the gold. The detective work is more about outsmarting the thieves than catching them, making it a unique addition to the list.

Fact: The film's iconic Mini Cooper chase was shot in real locations in Los Angeles and Venice.

Description: Spike Lee's take on a bank heist where Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) is tasked with negotiating with the mastermind Dalton Russell (Clive Owen). The film is as much about the heist as it is about the psychological warfare between the detective and the criminal.

Fact: The film was shot in New York City, and the bank used in the movie was actually a set built inside a real bank.

Description: Set in Boston, this film follows a group of bank robbers, led by Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), and the FBI agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) who's hot on their trail. The film blends the heist genre with personal drama and a touch of romance.

Fact: Ben Affleck, who also directed the film, grew up in Boston and used his local knowledge to authentically depict the city.