The Day They Robbed the Bank of England

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"Never before revealed!"
  • Approved
  • 1960
  • 1 hr 25 min
  • 6.6  (912)

In the 1960 movie "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England," Aldo Ray plays American master thief and ex-convict, Dave Milch. Dave is a seasoned thief with a reputation for successfully pulling off robberies in the United States. However, he has never attempted anything as monumental as robbing the Bank of England, which is deemed as the most impregnable bank in the world. The bank, known for its military-style security, has never been robbed, and many believe that it is impossible to breach its security measures.

The story begins with Dave concocting a plan to rob the bank. He recruits his team, which includes a former soldier, Hugh Griffith (Planagan), who is familiar with the bank's security, an explosives expert, Charles Terence 'Kipper' Kidson (Peter O'Toole), and a master forger, Alec Mountjoy (Kieron Moore). The team decides on a tunneling plan to get to the bank's vault, which is located several feet below ground level.

The foursome spends several months digging a 50-feet-long tunnel under the streets of London, leading to the bank. They manage to dig through the bank's foundation and reach the vault's wall, where they face several unexpected challenges. They discover that the vault is made of reinforced steel and is virtually impenetrable, forcing them to rely on explosives to break in. The process of drilling through the thick steel wall takes longer than expected, and a member of the team, Kipper, suffers from an emotional breakdown, threatening to derail the entire operation.

The drama unfolds as the bank's security personnel discover the tunnel while the heist is underway. Inside the vault, the team faces another unexpected challenge, finding that the bank had removed most of the gold reserves, leaving only a fraction of what was expected. The team has to improvise and adjust the plan to accomplish their goal with the few remaining ingots.

"The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" is a classic heist movie that builds tension as the team navigates their way around London, keeping their plans secret from the authorities. However, it does not rely solely on action to keep the audience engaged. It also delves into the characters and their motivations, especially regarding the impact that this virtually impossible heist would have on their lives.

Additionally, the film's depiction of London in the 1960s is magnificent. The movie features beautiful shots of the city's landmarks, streets, and markets, giving audiences an opportunity to glimpse into the past. The music and sound effects throughout the movie also add that sense of authenticity, creating the right atmosphere for the viewer.

"The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" features the acting skills of some of the finest actors of the era, including Aldo Ray, Elizabeth Sellars, Peter O'Toole, and Hugh Griffith. Aldo Ray's character, Dave Milch, is portrayed as a seasoned criminal, confident but not overbearing. Elizabeth Sellars is understated as the bank employee assisting the team's plan, offering a level of realism to the movie's otherwise outlandish plot.

Peter O'Toole's role as 'Kipper' is particularly notable. His unstable, alcoholic character that undergoes mental breakdowns and emotions all over the place is a tour de force performance. It's a tribute to his skills as an actor as he managed to portray such a complicated character in such an incredibly visceral way.

Overall, "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" is an outstanding film that incorporates familiar heist movie tropes while maintaining its distinct British charm. The movie offers a fascinating look at a time gone by, making it a must-see for lovers of classic cinema. The high stakes, unusual obstacles, nuanced characters, and a mix of humor and drama make "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" a thrilling cinematic ride.

The Day They Robbed the Bank of England
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Description
  • Release Date
    1960
  • MPAA Rating
    Approved
  • Runtime
    1 hr 25 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (912)
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