A big caper movie or a heist film is a movie that has an intricate plot woven around a group of people trying to steal something. They could be described as the analogues of caper stories in film history. Typically there are many plot twists, and film focuses on the characters' attempts to formulate a plan, carry it out, and escape with the goods. There is often a nemesis that must be thwarted, who is either a figure of authority, or a former partner who turned on the group or one of its members.

Etymology

The noun caper, according to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary means a frolicsome leap, a capricious escapade or an illegal or questionable act.

From the origins...

A "Big caper movie" generally shows the ingenious planning and realization of a heist. Even though it has come to be regarded as as classic American genre, in Europe it is Jules Dassins Du rififi chez les hommes of 1955 that served as the founding father of this particular type of film.

... until today

The classical Film noir period of the 40s and 50s brought the genre to fame: during these decades, several such gangster's films have been shot that to this day remain second to none. John Hustons Asphalt Jungle of 1950 or Kubricks The Killing of 1956 are examples. The sombre atmosphere of the unavoidable failure which occurs during the film and which should become a sort of brand name for Film noir intertwines in these films with the viewers delight in watching the unfolding of a near-perfect crime.

Since that time Big caper movies have been shot in many variations, often introducing innovative ways of craftsmanship. Tarantinos Reservoir Dogs of 1992 may be a good example for this. Even to contemporary Hollywood, the genre still remains promising, as Steven Soderberghs 2001 remake of Ocean's Eleven shows.

Notable examples

Some heist films include:

• $ (Dollars)
• Grand Slam
• The Great Train Robbery
• Heat
• Heist
• How to Steal a Million
• The Italian Job
• Jackie Brown
• Lassiter
• Ocean's Eleven
• Ocean's Twelve
• The Pink Panther
• Rififi
• Ronin
• Rough Cut
• The Score
• Sneakers
• The Sting
• The Thomas Crown Affair

External links

• IMDb's entry on "Rififi"
• IMDb's entry on "Asphalt Jungle"
• IMDb's entry on "The Killing"
• IMDb's entry on "Reservoir Dogs"
• IMDb's entry on "Ocean's Eleven"