Topkapi

Okay, it had some nice travel-* and Peter Ustinov absolutely transcends the material here (he was the best thing in this)...but this flick is screaming out for a glamorous remake. Nothing too slick and I don't want everyone in the remake to be gorgeous but seriously...it needs a remake. Also, my husband came up with a much better ending than the one here. So...nice scenery, including a ridiculously good-looking Max Schell, but Ms. Mercouri nearly ruined this movie. She was just too weird. Was she supposed to be alluring? I just found her to be scary looking and I couldn't believe these guys would be falling all over her. I don't mean to be catty...I'm actually older than she was when she made this film but I'm still calling her out on being a little too witch- like. That voice! Like a much-later Lucille Ball after a couple of packs of cigarettes. Puh-leeze.

Although I much preferred Dassins' earlier heist film, 'Rififi', 'Topkapi' was a lot of fun, and once again used silence to create a great suspense sequence during the heist. People seem to give Ustinov a lot of credit for his performance, but I think the entire band of thieves deserves a handshake and a lollipop for creating a group of memorable characters. Not once did they seem unconvincing or lazy with their acting. In fact, I would have much preferred Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible' (which was, in at least some aspects, a very direct rip-off) if he would have been mute. The kaleidoscope intro was a bit out of place and almost campy, but it started the film off lightheartedly, which set a nice tone. A film that can have fun with itself, I think, is one worth watching, and 'Topkapi' definitely had a party. Rating: 28/40

If Jules Dassin had decided to make "Rififi" as a comedy and in color it might have looked something like this. The plot, though based on Eric Ambler's book "The Light of Day", is not dissimilar. A group of sundry crooks plan to steal a jewelled dagger from the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, but where "Rififi" showed the tragedy that occurs when there is dishonor amongst thieves "Topkapi" plays it for laughs. Dassin's wife, Melina Mercouri, is the glamorous thief who organizes the heist and Peter Ustinov won his second Oscar for playing 'the schmo' roped in on the scheme. This is the kind of film where you want the thieves to get away with it because they are an infinitely more likable bunch than the authorities who pursue them. It may be a slight affair but it's ingeniously plotted, (the robbery is just as exciting as the one in "Rififi"), very enjoyable and the location photography is outstanding.

Topkapi is a wonderful caper film that established the genre of the light heist flick. Much copied even to this day, it was a big international hit back in '64. Marvelous international cast (Ustinov's Oscar winning performance among them), exotic settings and a great climax is pure entertainment. Ustinov, Melina Mercouri, Max Shell, Robert Morley, Akim Tamiroff (demented!) and more. What a terrific international all star cast! Exciting movie in it's day, though some of the effects are dated to the 60's. If it seems a bit slow at the beginning (by today's standards), give it a chance. The climax art museum theft scene is one of the great moments in film - don't miss it!

Geez, I can't get over all the sour comments about this film on this site. Long? Boring? These must be the feelings of MTV kids who can't focus on an image for longer than thirty seconds... For the rest of you looking for the perfect caper film, look no farther. Exotic locale... great cast... memorable score... Topkapi has it all. In my opinion, this is a far superior film to Jules Dassin's earlier Riffifi. Topkapi is glamorous, funny, exciting -- but above all, fun.

"Topkapi" is a classic. In it, a group of criminals with a plan to break into the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, and steal a jewel-encrusted dagger. Melina Mercouri stars as Elizabeth Lipp, the mastermind behind the heist. Peter Ustinov is along for the ride as Arthur Simon Simpson, who does a good turn of comic relief. The movie shows beautiful shots of Greece and Turkey on its wild trip. It's similar to the original "Ocean's Eleven," as you root for the thieves. You find yourself hoping crime will pay! The last shot of the movie shows more of the fun spirit present in the movie. In the end, I wondered a little about the continuing adventures of the characters. Surely, this caper deserves investigation!

Before "Mission Impossible" made every big heist a challenge for technology, there were movie efforts like "Topkapi" which played the human element in the big scam. A wonderful and truly international cast is assembled here for this 60's effort that showcases Istanbul. Melina Mercouri is marvelous, blending humor and sensuality with her hard side. Maximillian Schell is excellent as the leading man with all the answers while Peter Ustinov is the classic bumbler. Akim Tamiroff adds additional levity as the irascible cook. Not sure I was totally satisfied with the outcome but it's such a rollicking and colorful ride, give director Jules Dassin top marks anyway.