Topkapi
1964
Five years after directing the heist classic RIFIFI, Jules Dassin returns to robbery with TOPKAPI. Again there is a long and daring break-in, as his heroes attempt to steal the priceless Emerald Dagger from the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, but in contrast to the bleak RIFIFI, the mood in TOPKAPI is one of comedy. Dassin .. Read more
| Starring | Melina Mercouri, Maximilian Schell, Peter Ustinov, Robert Morley |
|---|---|
| Director | Jules Dassin |
| Genres | Drama |
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Topkapi
Five years after directing the heist classic RIFIFI, Jules Dassin returns to robbery with TOPKAPI. Again there is a long and daring break-in, as his heroes attempt to steal the priceless Emerald Dagger from the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, but in contrast to the bleak RIFIFI, the mood in TOPKAPI is one of comedy. Dassin focuses on the bumbling Arthur Simpson (Peter Ustinov), who barely makes a living conning tourists. Arthur thinks he's struck it rich when Elizabeth Lipp (Melina Mercouri) and her lover Walter (Maximilian Schell) respond to his pitch--not realizing they picked him. They persuade Arthur to drive across the Greek-Turkish border. When the Turkish police find arms in the car, they believe they have uncovered a terrorist plot. They only release Arthur after he agrees to spy for them. Elizabeth and Walter plan their robbery, while Arthur is drawn ever further out of his depth, as he looks for evidence of terrorism. Mercouri and Schell handle the planning; Ustinov, Robert Morley as the eccentric Cedric, and Akim Tamiroff as a dipsomaniac cook, handle the comedy; the Turkish scenery is beautiful, and Manos Hadjidakis contributes a sprightly score--the result is a light and airy comedy.
| Starring | Melina Mercouri, Maximilian Schell, Peter Ustinov, Robert Morley, Akim Tamiroff |
|---|---|
| Director | Jules Dassin |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 04 Oct 2004 Production year: 1964 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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In this spoof of his own intricate heist classic, Rififi, Jules Dassin pioneered one of the most popular sub-genres of the 1960s, the comic crime caper. Deliciously scripted by one-time Ealing alumnus Monja Danischewsky from Eric Ambler's novel, The Light of Day, Dassin combines sparkling dialogue with moments of unbearable tension, most notably during the prolonged heist on an Istanbul museum in a bid to purloin a priceless dagger. The band of misfits hired by Melina Mercouri and Maximilian Schell are effectively played, but it was the showy performance of Peter Ustinov that caught the eye and earned him a best supporting actor Oscar.
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Light-hearted caper story which gets out of control because of the variety of styles and accents, the director's impression that his wife can do no wrong, and the general slowness and lack of wit; but there are bright moments, colourful backgrounds, and a
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Most helpful member's review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Well worth watching
Read Atrides from London review says it all ??..well ?.. almost.
I watched this as a youth, when it first hit the BIG screen, for some younger people in the age of mobile phones,usb drives, mp3 music files, and micro electronics, some of the originally intended magic may be lost on them.
But it remains a great film worth watching. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Well worth watching
Read Atrides from London review says it all ??..well ?.. almost.
I watched this as a youth, when it first hit the BIG screen, for some younger people in the age of mobile phones,usb drives, mp3 music files, and micro electronics, some of the originally intended magic may be lost on them.
But it remains a great film worth watching. -
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